Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I need to clarify my post:

I am an "A" - but, I'm not a "star"
Therefore - not enough money to be a "D"...

One needs a "real" job to be a "D"...

Well I guess this is a good time to hop in.
Since this is my first post i might as well admit
that I don't really fit in any of above mentioned
catagories since I can only play when I have time
and am not what one would call band material.Not only can I not spell but I can't play too well either,however I have a lot of fun and this is certianly a nice place to sit back and read/learn about some of the finest instruments made.I currently own a '74 4001 that I do love (don't tell my jazz that)and perhaps in the future I'd like to find a fretless or fretted 4003.I'm greatful that there is a nice place to read about not only current issues but the intresting history
of Rickenbackers.
Bill

Welcome, Bill. Nice first post!

If your playing's as good as your spelling (which isn't too shabby at all!!) you're doing OK!!

I fit pretty much into the same area as you - can play a bit and the quality varies often but I certainly have a lot of fun. I hope there's plenty more for both of us!

Stay happy!

I'm in the same category with Bill and Gary. While I've played in a band in the past, and wouldn't rule it out in the future, I am content to just play in my in-home office whenever I can grab a few minutes.
I can't read music, either, and music theory to me means "theoretically, I might be able to figure that tune out and fool someone." Although I have 7 guitars, I am not a collector. I just like 'em.

Howard, I'm an A and B because I have played fulltime and still do but have also worked at various times while playing. I'm in school right now and play in bands with mostly A's even though I go to school, I'm earning all my meager amount of income from playing right now. I play with mostly pro's and do a lot of fill ins for other bands. For example I have been playing with a guitarist who led Joe Cocker's band from 1977 to 1989. In another band I play with a keyboard player who plays with Barry and The Remains (opened for The Beatles on their last 14 city tour here in the states and are still a world-wide known cult band, they are commonly thought to have started the garage rock scene even though they are much better than your average garage band (which I love). I am actually somewhere between A and B I guess, I'm too insecure to just chuck it and play full time, I did that when I was younger and I like secure money too much I guess. And actually I'm about to enter a career where I can get a job anywhere and choose my own hours which I really like, but you know playing is uppermost in my mind, haha! Most pros that I know end up teaching or something related to it because of the ups and downs of playing full time, I don't like that either (I've tried it, takes the fun out of it for me)
Lounge players here in The States play the hits and do weeks on end at Holiday Inn's etc. I have been close enough to it to know I would go nuts doing that after a while. I'm sorry if I insulted you, I have seen some very good lounge players in my time and have played with some of them in various projects.
I don't consider myself to be a guitar collector because my main purpose is to have basses and guitars I can play out with. I have a couple of collector Rics and I still bring them out occasionally even though I probably shouldn't. I actually am a collector by nature though but I tend more toward electrical things like old tube radios and amps, stereos etc.

I'm kind of split between A and B as Rare Blend is a professional band given the nature of some gigs we do but as we have other jobs it is by definition not truly A.

B

We play a couple of club gigs per month right now, and I make enough money at it for some spending cash and to save for whatever special anniversary Ric bass will be unveiled in a couple of years. I have gigged both more and less than this in the past, but with my dayjob and family, this is the right fit for right now.

B and D

Part time for my 4 member contemporary Christian band .....we play at the increasingly popular coffee houses and are starting to get some requests for playing at larger events.

I've been working at the same place for going on 26 years now, saving $$$ all the way, and have been blessed with a great wife who understands my passion for RIC's.....I've been a musician in my heart all of those years and have only recently been able to indulge in those passions....

I'm with you in a big way, JP. Tried to teach myself to read music but what the hell, listening and playing is so much better!

I can usually pick something up by ear and if necessary, dig up the tabs off the net. I'd love to play a gig or two and I think the only way I'm going to manage that at this stage is sign up to Weekend Warriors, which I've been to many times and it's really great fun to watch and dance - must be a blast for the players!

After 30 plus years in the wilderness, coming back to civilization ain't as easy as many might think!

And how lucky am I? I've got five guitars and two of them are Rickenbackers!!

Cheers

Howard, I sure wish there was a Weekend Warriors-type thing within driving distance of my place!

Does it exist over there? I was under the impression that it all started somewhere in the US. It's run under the auspices of the major instrument outlets in each state here.

Paul: Just did a google on Weekend Warriors and it cracks a mention on the NAMM site. Two stores in your area are listed as sponsors - Sound Source in Chico and Skip's Music in Sacramento.

Might be worth checking it out if you're keen.

Mind you, I could also fly over there for a jam!!

Cheers

I almost hate to admit that I'm a D. BUT, with 6 kids and a demanding job (restaurant owner), thats all I can be, I'm afraid.

Skip's music is about 100 miles away. Chico is 175. Darn.

When you gonna book that ticket? Never mind--Oz is a place i've never been...

Come on down!! The water's fine (as is the beer, wine, coffee, food, etc....etc...).

Only problem is, you'd have to stay for a while - a Weekend Warriors program takes about 6 weeks from first jam session to the actual gig. It also costs about $300.

I'm suprised there isn't something going on in SF - it's a bloody big city!!

Cheers