Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I buy instruments to play them, plain and simple. In my ownership, they're not going to sit in a case or hang on a wall, unless there's a very good reason. I might not play them all the time, but they are going to be for playing, not just for looking at or investing in the standard, monetary sense. What I'm really investing in is myself and my ability to express myself creatively, as well as my own happiness. But the fact is they're made to be played and seen.

So I guess that means you're not a collector?

What I'm really investing in is myself and my ability to express myself creatively

This is exactly true and Probably the best quote of the thread.People buy/collect Rickenbacker's for their own personal journey to further their musical experience.

Well, thanks for the props!

And I don't want what I say to be misconstrued, either. Frankly (and obviously), people collect for all kinds of reasons. Here on this forum, we are very fortunate to have with us a number of great collectors who respect, preserve and restore their instruments for future generations as well as players like myself to someday enjoy. True, it can sometimes drive up the value of the instruments, but such is life, nor is it a bad thing. A vintage Rick still costs a small fortune LESS than its Gibson or Fender equivalents in very many cases. And furthermore, good collectors such as those on our site here know how to keep those instruments in good repair as well as document them. Most importantly I want to reiterate, they RESPECT these instruments, and judging by the amount of butchery I've seen on a lot of the restoration cases that come through, we need these people.
To some, they are a fiscal investment, as well they should be. It's just that I personally play the things I buy because, simply put, I can't help myself. I just like it that way. I collect as I can, and sell as I must. Currently, I don't have much of a collection. However, I plan on correcting that little issue as soon as I can .

The main quality of a Rick collector is that the love of owning and playing the Ricks you have is sometimes exceeded by the desire to own or play the Ricks you don't have.

When that "sometimes" becomes "always," then you may no longer qualify as a collector but may be an RAS* victim.

*Rickenbacker Acquisition Syndrome, for the uninitiated

Personally, I think that in order to be a good Ric collector, you need to qualify for the following:

1. You must know how to play guitar/bass (at least to a degree)
2. You must love the sound, look and feel of Rics
3. You must like at LEAST 2 Ric artists/bands
4. You've got to have a working amp
5. You treat all your instruments like your children

I think the money I have invested in Rickenbacker's makes me a collector. If you spend money it is gone. If you invest it you have potential for a return. It is obvious to me that I have had very good returns. The value of my RIC's has appreciated. The fact that I love the hell out of them is a bonus.

TomPettyandHeartbreakersFan wrote:Personally, I think that in order to be a good Ric collector, you need to qualify for the following:

5. You treat all your instruments like your children

Absolutely; kids should either be hung from a hook on the wall or locked in a box at all times.

What I mean is, you take good care of them and you don't want anything bad to happen to them. For example, if the instrument gets broken (like a kid gets a broken arm or leg), you take it to get repaired immediately.

You're kidding, right?

I was one of those kids, who, at an early age, broke my leg. My folks promptly hung me on a wall. Only my whimpering, days later, convinced them to send me to a local luthier.

Ever since, my intonation has been off.

TomPettyandHeartbreakersFan wrote:5. You treat all your instruments like your children

My grandfather (and at times, my father) use to say that, "children should be seen and not heard."

I don't think they ever owned a Ric.

Interesting thread here, folks. I've recently started my Rick collection and am looking to add to it. I played for many years in garage/wedding bands. I never was a great guitar player, I always had a lot more balls than talent, but I always enjoyed the instruments. I enjoyed learning about them, finding them, buying them and sometimes selling them. I bought my 330/12 AFG to play. I bought my 330 DCM to look at. I bought my 380L PZ to play and look at. I'm looking for a 300 series in Montezuma Brown to look at and play. They give me joy and my wife allows it to some degree because they are somewhat good investments. My "collection" is to enjoy on many different levels...... if they increase in value over time, it's a bonus!!

Whenever I purchased a Ric (or any guitar), I've never considered future value. I probably couldn't even tell you what they're worth now, although LeftyGuitars probably could.

TomPettyandHeartbreakersFan wrote:Personally, I think that in order to be a good Ric collector, you need to qualify for the following:
....
5. You treat all your instruments like your children

From what I've seen and read about with the average parents lately, I would hope Ricks are treated better.