Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Finding myself in a quasi-related conversation only yesterday I determined this:
There are four distinctive electric guitars and guitar sounds.
Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker are the four wise men, the founding fathers, and the cardinal directions. All others are either derivatives, exotics, or imitations.
There is a tribal and often nasty inclination to use *astericks* in place of other nameplates on certain discussion groups.
Overall it comes across as tongue in cheek here at the RRF.

I have to put strings on my T****a and my G****n SJ today.

I think I've made my feelings clear on this issue a number if times, so I will just ask one question:

If it's not an issue here, why does it continually come up?

NCR,

I like the image of the cardinal directions. That sets the foundations, puts "imitations" in the proper perspective and doesn't at all diminish the "hybrids." For example, someone might consider a PRS as a hybrid of Gibson and Fender. With your imagery it would also have it's own associated direction and there are times you really need to go "Northeast."

All analogies fall apart if pushed too hard, but I think your's has some merit....Maybe there's a song in there somewhere....

freshmattyp wrote:If it's not an issue here, why does it continually come up?

You mean the question of whether or not it's OK here to criticize RIC or not? I just don't get it, Matty. There are no less than two active threads going on right now about the shortcomings of the stock bridges/tailpieces on 4003s, and the comments and policies concerning replacements, for example. That doesn't seem like censorship to me. There are good arguments going both ways and nobody gets pinched until they forget their manners.
I think it comes up because people don't do their homework; they'd rather accept innuendo. I'm sorry, this not directed at anyone, but human nature is what it is, people love quick sensational responses and are obsessed with what they think is taboo. Me too, but, c'mon now... the pages are full of reasonable criticism of Rickenbacker products and of RIC policies. I don't get it.

kiramdear wrote:

wints wrote: The main thrust of what has been discussed here recently, is the lack of ability to expand on anything that is perceived as even mildly critical of RIC, even when delivered in a very professional manner. Objectivity is essential in any media forum in order for sustained growth.

Sorry, Andrew, I don't agree after just reading 3 or 4 pages of frank critique on the shortcomings of the 4003 bridge assembly and the trade dress issues faced by Hipshot, etc. good arguments both sides until someone went on an irrational and offensive rant. These kinds of comparisons and commentary go on every day here but maybe some don't read them until someone gets edited or warned for being disrespectful. Then some people think you can't discuss the issue 'cause someone got edited.

It's not what people think and say that gets edited, or just rejected in other folks minds, but the lack of thought or the meanness inherent in the choice of words.

It's all subjective Kira.

As John (Blue Angel) posted, it's a moot point, as it's Peter's final call anyway. We all accept that and it is what it is. John's posts were always carefully thought out and respectful in my opinion, and I could see no problem with his content. He asked questions and raised points that many feel are valid. Personally I wish he didn't leave, as it's always better to work on things from the inside, rather than looking through the window, but that was his choice.

We are all going to disagree at certain points here. What is important to many, is that these issues are addressed in a civil manner when presented with care and due diligence. It's the last sentence that seems to conflict at present, and that won't change given the passion here...

Until now, I used to see the asterisk thing as an attempt at humor, even kind of a gentle familial jibe at the RIC forum where Steve Lasko's Jangle Box in rendered as Jingle Bells, Jungle Box, or all sorts of other malaprops that end up being quite funny.

I see both sides of the discussion in this thread now, even though I really don't have much of a reason to comment on Fender, Gibson, or PRS. I doubt that any guitars built by these companies will find a place in my musical tool chest, because it seems that the sound I'm looking for is either supplied by a Rickenbacker or a Gretsch. But never say never...

JimK

kiramdear wrote:

It's not what people think and say that gets edited, or just rejected in other folks minds, but the lack of thought or the meanness inherent in the choice of words.

Well said Kira. Lets just be nice to each other and rejoice in our love of Rickenbackers.

Rickygirl wrote: Lets just be nice to each other and rejoice in our love of Rickenbackers.

Sarah, you just said in 14 words what took me many paragraphs.

I mean, I have no position to take here, really. I'm not even a brand loyalist. If I need a P-bass I'll go buy one. Or a hipshot, dipstick, whatever. And I'm not waiting or even in the market for a new Rick. They don't even make anything I want right now, but I don't care as a used one can always be found. They're responsible for their policies so I really don't give a hoot, except that it's their right to run things the way they will within the law and live or die in the market. Fair's fair. I'm happy just to exercise the options I have as a consumer.

That said, in my heart I'm a big fat Rickensnob and I enjoy nice conversation with other appreciators. It's what I come here for.

wints wrote:The main thrust of what has been discussed here recently, is the lack of ability to expand on anything that is perceived as even mildly critical of RIC, even when delivered in a very professional manner. Objectivity is essential in any media forum in order for sustained growth.

Andy, are you kidding me or what!? Have you read the "Hipshot Does It Again" and the "Substandard Bridge" threads in the bass section ? Much more than mildly critical of RIC if you ask me.

rickenbrother wrote:

wints wrote:The main thrust of what has been discussed here recently, is the lack of ability to expand on anything that is perceived as even mildly critical of RIC, even when delivered in a very professional manner. Objectivity is essential in any media forum in order for sustained growth.

Andy, are you kidding me or what!? Have you read the "Hipshot Does It Again" and the "Substandard Bridge" threads in the bass section ? Much more than mildly critical of RIC if you ask me.

Sure have Joey, and I agree that some of that is not well delivered and not in the forum manner. Kudos to Peter for keeping that thread going. However, one can see a frustration slowly brewing here, and my overall point is that generally, discussion appears to be being streamlined, and that a broader tolerance would be a welcome thing, as long as it is presented/delivered properly. Of course, this is where it gets highly subjective....

My perspective here relates to John's old posts that I linked here...
viewtopic.php?p=476750#p476750

Andy, again thank you. And as for the two threads over in the Bass section, those would not have been as frank as they have become if not for the thread Andy linked to and all the goings on it reflects. Personally, I was amazed the one critically immature post (the one Paul W did not respond to and Peter correctly repremands) was not edited or deleted. There was much more in the bridge thread that just two weeks ago would not have been allowed to stand, so kudos to Peter and Joey for letting the discussion continue.

Lets all move on; I thought we had.

Oh, and as for this *** business.... I've been here 2.5 years and this is the first I've known their use was an inside joke. I've always considered it annoying.

longhouse wrote:Finding myself in a quasi-related conversation only yesterday I determined this:
There are four distinctive electric guitars and guitar sounds.
Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker are the four wise men, the founding fathers, and the cardinal directions. All others are either derivatives, exotics, or imitations.
...

man you forgot dano! that is fifth right there.

Being a newer member, I always wondered if using the names of other guitar companies was looked-down upon here, but I have never liked the asterisk thing, so I've just been spelling the names out, wondering if I was gonna get flamed, and now it's good to know that the asterisk thing is mainly for humor's sake and not a violation of forum rules, although I'm not sure how you guys/gals feel about run-on sentences.

jdogric12aolcom wrote:**** * ***** ** ********. **** ** ** ******* ********. *** *** ****** ** *** ****, **** **** * ****** **. *** * *** *** ******. ******, J

That's easy for you to say.

I only object to run-on guitarists.

Anyone else think this is a boring thread, no offense?