Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

johnhall wrote:So, what basis would you propose?

Stock. Must be 100% stock to be a Rickenbacker.
As soon as a player even change strings over to a non-factory brand, well, they are no longer playing a real Rickenbacker.

And as soon as you take that hat off, you're no longer a Puritan.

teeder wrote:We "cheat" and tune down 1/2 step.

That must sound sludgy! I'd love to hear it.

I don't think it was her main Bass but here's an early shot (1988) of Sean Yseult, bassist for White Zombie, bringing the rock...

Danotron wrote:I don't think it was her main Bass but here's an early shot (1988) of Sean Yseult, bassist for White Zombie

Especially with that paint job, it probably was until she got paid to play something else, like a Schecter.

rickenbrother wrote:

Danotron wrote:I don't think it was her main Bass but here's an early shot (1988) of Sean Yseult, bassist for White Zombie

Especially with that paint job, it probably was until she got paid to play something else, like a Schecter.

Yeah. I didn't realize how common endorsements/lockdowns are. A girl I run into in the local scene all the time is an Epiphone endorser, so she gets a new mid-level Epi Les Paul every six-twelve months. Good for her I guess, but I hardly envy the situation. I know she has other guitars she likes to play.

cassius987 wrote:Yeah. I didn't realize how common endorsements/lockdowns are. A girl I run into in the local scene all the time is an Epiphone endorser, so she gets a new mid-level Epi Les Paul every six-twelve months. Good for her I guess, but I hardly envy the situation. I know she has other guitars she likes to play.

I'm not aware that any manufacturer has done any type of endorsement that would preclude the artist from using some other guitar. But I have run into artists, usually of the local variety, that claim to have endorsement deals and also claim they are not allowed to use other products.

I ran into a bass player in my hometown, a member of a Beatles music band, and offered to lend him a bass for some important gigs. He claimed to be endorsed by a brand that couldn't be more un-Beatles-like, and insisted his contract required he use their instrument. Given that the CEO and owner of the firm is a good friend of mine, I called him up and asked about this. He laughed and said that the musician in question was allowed to purchase instruments from time to time at a good price but other than that there was no other "deal".

Another time, I visited Glenn Frey and Don Felder in the studio in L.A. Over in the corner was a mountainous stack of Takamine guitars, still in boxes. I asked about those and Glenn told me that the folks at Takamine always came by and dropped off a bunch of guitars for them to have. He asked if I'd like to take a couple home with me. And, of course, these guys continued on using whatever guitar they felt like.

So, there's both ends of the "endorsement" spectrum. This also suggests many people have no idea of what their agreements- if they even have an agreement- call for.

I guess "Take-one-a-mine" is a well deserved name for the brand then!!

Maybe they should donate them to a school or performance hall instead of letting them sit around.

johnhall wrote:

cassius987 wrote:Yeah. I didn't realize how common endorsements/lockdowns are. A girl I run into in the local scene all the time is an Epiphone endorser, so she gets a new mid-level Epi Les Paul every six-twelve months. Good for her I guess, but I hardly envy the situation. I know she has other guitars she likes to play.

I'm not aware that any manufacturer has done any type of endorsement that would preclude the artist from using some other guitar. But I have run into artists, usually of the local variety, that claim to have endorsement deals and also claim they are not allowed to use other products.

I ran into a bass player in my hometown, a member of a Beatles music band, and offered to lend him a bass for some important gigs. He claimed to be endorsed by a brand that couldn't be more un-Beatles-like, and insisted his contract required he use their instrument. Given that the CEO and owner of the firm is a good friend of mine, I called him up and asked about this. He laughed and said that the musician in question was allowed to purchase instruments from time to time at a good price but other than that there was no other "deal".

Thanks for clearing that up John.

Playing in a local gigging band I run into this type of comment a lot (of people being "endoresd" by a specific brand). I've often found myself thinking "why"?

Tommy wrote:

johnhall wrote:So, what basis would you propose?

Stock. Must be 100% stock to be a Rickenbacker.
As soon as a player even change strings over to a non-factory brand, well, they are no longer playing a real Rickenbacker.

If i understand you well this would not be a real Rickenbacker ?

Nope, not a real Ric. Lennon modified that guitar sooo much. He even played with non-Rickenbacker brand strings!!!

My stock 325c64 that I just bought (still have the factory strings on her) is a real Rickenbacker. I even bought extra Ric polishing cloths. You use a different cloth on your guitar, you instanty disqualify your Ric from being considered a real Ric. Lennon may be the most famous Ric player, but he doesn't live up to the 100% stock rule.

I come by this 100% stock rule from being a classic car owner and attending many car shows. Must be stock to win the grand prize. You change a radio knob on one of those cars you go home in last place. Lennon changed more than knobs on his guitar.

johnhall wrote:

cassius987 wrote:Yeah. I didn't realize how common endorsements/lockdowns are. A girl I run into in the local scene all the time is an Epiphone endorser, so she gets a new mid-level Epi Les Paul every six-twelve months. Good for her I guess, but I hardly envy the situation. I know she has other guitars she likes to play.

I'm not aware that any manufacturer has done any type of endorsement that would preclude the artist from using some other guitar. But I have run into artists, usually of the local variety, that claim to have endorsement deals and also claim they are not allowed to use other products.

I ran into a bass player in my hometown, a member of a Beatles music band, and offered to lend him a bass for some important gigs. He claimed to be endorsed by a brand that couldn't be more un-Beatles-like, and insisted his contract required he use their instrument. Given that the CEO and owner of the firm is a good friend of mine, I called him up and asked about this. He laughed and said that the musician in question was allowed to purchase instruments from time to time at a good price but other than that there was no other "deal".

Another time, I visited Glenn Frey and Don Felder in the studio in L.A. Over in the corner was a mountainous stack of Takamine guitars, still in boxes. I asked about those and Glenn told me that the folks at Takamine always came by and dropped off a bunch of guitars for them to have. He asked if I'd like to take a couple home with me. And, of course, these guys continued on using whatever guitar they felt like.

So, there's both ends of the "endorsement" spectrum. This also suggests many people have no idea of what their agreements- if they even have an agreement- call for.

Both stories are pretty good.

I also run into people all the time that proudly announce their "endorsements" ....but are really just getting product at reduced prices. If you have to buy it, it's not an endorsement IMO.

I find this thread drift very offensive!

teeder wrote:I find this thread drift very offensive!

I find your offense at this thread drift offensive.