Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I wasn't questioning Rickenbacker's quality, just some of the policies I am not really sure about.

I saw somewhere that that guy who had the bass neck on the 360 body was also shut down, was it because he had the name plate on the neck? I really don't see otherwise, he had a legit Rickenbacker body and he said it wasn't an original neck. And if I take a Rickenbacker neck, say from a bolt-on solid body, keep the name plate, but put on a different body, it is illegal to sell it with the nameplate and different body on?

Ivan, I think that there is a "dilution of the brand ID" issue involved in these two cases.

Damon Davis wrote:When people like Mark Arnquist and Dale Fortune get banned from these forums then that says it all for me. I really do wish RIC would be sold to someone who wants to make guitars.

What exactly did Mark and Dale do to get banned from the forums? Both of these guys worked for Rickenbacker and have tons of expertise. Does anyone know? Were their stripes ripped off and their swords broken in front of them as the drummer played? Or did they just say what they really thought about things and were punished for that? Sometimes this forum as well as the forum over at RIC makes me think of "Home on the Range".
"....where never is heard a discouraging word....".

epitreture wrote:

Damon Davis wrote:When people like Mark Arnquist and Dale Fortune get banned from these forums then that says it all for me. I really do wish RIC would be sold to someone who wants to make guitars.

What exactly did Mark and Dale do to get banned from the forums? Both of these guys worked for Rickenbacker and have tons of expertise. Does anyone know? Were their stripes ripped off and their swords broken in front of them as the drummer played? Or did they just say what they really thought about things and were punished for that? Sometimes this forum as well as the forum over at RIC makes me think of "Home on the Range".
"....where never is heard a discouraging word....".

Gents,

I met Dale and like him very much. I don't know if he "banned" from this forum. This forum has folks expressing their varying opinions.
The reason I visit this forum and no others is because I like to hear people discuss Rickenbackers and other topics without getting too personal or petty or outrageous, and 99% of the time everyone here is quite civilized.
The Hall family is Rickenbacker, and vice versa. The company is in the admirable position of not having to kow tow to anyone, though seemingly open to customer desires.
IMO, when one slags the company, they're slagging the family. Perhaps when one wants to express a gripe with the product, that should be kept in mind.
Been there, done that, I learned the hard way, and totally embarrassed myself. Regardless, the few times I met John Hall, he's greeted me with a handshake. Class act.

shamustwin wrote: IMO, when one slags the company, they're slagging the family. Perhaps when one wants to express a gripe with the product, that should be kept in mind.
Been there, done that, I learned the hard way, and totally embarrassed myself. Regardless, the few times I met John Hall, he's greeted me with a handshake. Class act.

I don't think a forum without dissent and disagreement is a forum worth perpetuating.

I would hope that its fine to criticize the company, its products and its policies...as long as it's done respectfully, and with an open mind.

The people who have been banned or flamed for this are the people who choose to criticize in a non-constructive, rude manner.

I don't know why Mark and Dale were banned but I would like to know.

Not saying specifically those two, it's just that people who I've seen banned generally act that way.

Damon: As neither Dale or Mark are members here any longer it would be inappropriate, in my view, to discuss their situation.

I would ask that you contact them directly with regard to this matter.

Damon Davis wrote:I really do wish RIC would be sold to someone who wants to make guitars.

I very much prefer the Hall family continuing to make Rickenbacker guitars. I'd probably stop buying new Ricks if someone else bought RIC.

shamustwin wrote:the few times I met John Hall, he's greeted me with a handshake. Class act.

+1

rickenbrother wrote: I very much prefer the Hall family continuing to make Rickenbacker guitars. I'd probably stop buying new Ricks if someone else bought RIC.

I respectfully disagree, as i have no allegence to owners of corporations. If the product's good, it's good, right? If the ownership changed, and a new ric produced under the new ownership felt great in my hands, why would it matter who ran the company.

I'm going to say some things that are going to sound like I'm one of the True Believers. So you'll have to excuse what may be taken as too much enthusiasm for RIC.

1. Honestly, if it weren't for RIC, I wouldn't in all likelihood have been saving up my pennies for what is supposed to be a top of the line guitar. (And I believe it probably is.) Some time ago, I began to lose all interest in electrified music, and with the discovery of Rickenbackers, that has begun to change. And it's because of that one of a kind sound that Rickenbacker guitars have, especially their 12 string models.

2. How the Hall family manages their company is out of my control, and my opinions on that don't amount to beans. That's life. I'd still rather play a Rickenbacker than any other electric guitar. Right, wrong, or indifferent, I have to admire John Hall for bucking the modern business model of going for the cheapest kind only to maximize profits.

Yeah, it's frustrating, maddening even, waiting for this legendary guitar to arrive on my doorstep. And guitar playing friends of mine ask whenever I see them "When's that Rickenbacker coming?" Or, "Did you get that new guitar yet?"

So I'm thinking to myself "Man, if RIC takes this much time to build a guitar, they must be spending an awful lot of time on getting it right; no slapped together, bolt-'em-up, dunk 'em in the paint vat product here."

So I guess what I'm saying is acknowledge the frustration, do your deep breathing exercises, and let the frustration go. In the end, those of us waiting in line will get our turns, and that large, rectangular box will arrive on our doorsteps one day, and we'll forget about how we ranted over our frustrations on the Ric Resource Forum, and the pennies we've saved up won't be burning holes in the pockets of our jeans anymore.

JimK

jimk wrote:Yeah, it's frustrating, maddening even, waiting for this legendary guitar to arrive on my doorstep. And guitar playing friends of mine ask whenever I see them "When's that Rickenbacker coming?" Or, "Did you get that new guitar yet?"

So I'm thinking to myself "Man, if RIC takes this much time to build a guitar, they must be spending an awful lot of time on getting it right; no slapped together, bolt-'em-up, dunk 'em in the paint vat product here."

So I guess what I'm saying is acknowledge the frustration, do your deep breathing exercises, and let the frustration go. In the end, those of us waiting in line will get our turns, and that large, rectangular box will arrive on our doorsteps one day, and we'll forget about how we ranted over our frustrations on the Ric Resource Forum, and the pennies we've saved up won't be burning holes in the pockets of our jeans anymore.

JimK

How long has it been now? I admire your dedication, hope that day is SOON!

I can't believe some of the rude and abrasive comments that have been made on this forum thread about the owner of a company who not only takes the time to participate in an owners' group forum, as well as this forum, but who is also a personable, cordial, and just plain friendly gentleman.

RIC has a service department for handling QC and warranty issues, which is where such things should be dealt with if one has a problem with them.

The cavalier attitude over protecting the quality of one's brand, and lack of trademarking by other manufacturers may have allowed certain folks think that it's okay to do the same with RIC products, but RIC has wisely chosen to protect the quality of its brand by taking the appropriate legal measures to safeguard its product. It may be a rude awakening or have the appearance of bullying to those who have encountered this in dealing with Fakenbackers, Frankenricks, et cetera, after being able to comfortably own and peddle copies of other brands who didn't protect their product, but it is actually not the case, it only seems to be so relative to the practice of other brands. RIC is only protecting its product and has every right to do so legally. Those who have been stung in the wallet by the purchase of fakes can appreciate this fact most of all.

The manner and tone in which some posts (I said SOME) try to tell RIC how to run its business are equally abrasive and rude, and border on serious arrogance. Just because RIC doesn't make some of our favorite models or colors anymore doesn't mean that the company and its owner should be personally attacked or rudely told how to run its business. It's sheer arrogance. Do any of these know-it alls have any idea how to run a company that builds guitars, and not just any guitars, but those of the quality of Rickenbackers. Have these people taken a close look at the labor intensity that goes into building a Rickenbacker, especially in relation to those of other brands?! It is truly astounding, and I am impressed that the factory is able to maintain the quality control and output that it currently produces!

It is one thing to express fondness or desire for a favourite model or finish no longer produced by RIC, or jokingly beg for its reintroduction in the manner parodying a child, i.e. "pwease, pwease build x model again ", or someone with OCD, "ooh! Build it, build it build it! " but it's quite another, and completely over the line to attack the company's business practices and its owner personally because one can't get the model or finish one wants anymore.

I don't know how I'd react if I were a member of the RIC team, but just reading some of these posts infuriates me. I have steam coming out of my ears right now! Those of us who have had the pleasure of meeting the Halls and other members of the RIC team (and I have yet to meet a sychophant among the forum members I've met) have found them to be among the best of people, both personally and professionally, who are dedicated to the instruments they produce. The assumption and expression that the Halls, other company members, or RIC, are anything else has no place on this forum, and my expression of this opinion is not enforcing any company line, or any attempt to muzzle anyone, but rather an argument for keeping things civil, even where there's disagreement, which is not shied away from on this forum, but expressed in a civil, good spirited manner for the most part, along with all of the good humor, tech tips, et cetera.

What's that quote from Paul W's favourite skit? "Slowly I turned....."

It's easier for some people to be arrogant rude and abrasive than to try to understand why RIC has to function the way it does and show some respect to JH.

And even if you can't embrace the good manners reasoning (which is enough for me), you might look at the bottom line like this: Every fakenbacker out there, just by the fact of its existence, incrementally and subtly lowers the market value of your sweet authentic Rick. Just give the frankenbackers, rickenfakers, etc. enough time to populate the world (a la "Squire", etc.) and your gorgeous new 360-12 won't be worth 1000 bucks by the time you walk out of the store with it.
OK, I'm done. No offense to anyone.