Why no Checkerboard Binding Now?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
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mortivan
Why no Checkerboard Binding Now?
They used it on Lemmy's signature bass, so you know they've got it. Why doesn't Ric ever use this binding on basses anymore? I think a FireGlo 400x with checkered binding is a thing of beauty.
I have played Rics for over 27 years and obviously love them, but some of the decisions they've made over the years are just hard to comprehend. There is some wisdom in allowing the past to remain in the past, but also in keeping in touch with the present and preparing for the future. They seem to get these mixed up at times.
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rickenbrother
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squirebass
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rickenbrother
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You would think with all the competition in the market, and the way things are right now, they would leave as many options to the customer as they can. I can't see discontinuing black hardware, unless it's another issue where California laws come into effect.
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS! 
Simple: It doesn't look Sixties, therefore, it doesn't look right.
I for one am glad they made the move. My first 4003 was a Black Trim Mapleglo, and I was never totally pleased with its appearance. That store only had a 4003S/5 that I liked the looks of, but didn't want a 5-string Rick.
I don't mean to upset you, Brad, it's just that Ricks are, and should remain, frozen in time. I also think 4004C's should have Toasters on them, too.
Garry
I for one am glad they made the move. My first 4003 was a Black Trim Mapleglo, and I was never totally pleased with its appearance. That store only had a 4003S/5 that I liked the looks of, but didn't want a 5-string Rick.
I don't mean to upset you, Brad, it's just that Ricks are, and should remain, frozen in time. I also think 4004C's should have Toasters on them, too.
Garry
The ideal mix leaves the bass player louder than the rest of the band put together!
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rickenbrother
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Garry said "I don't mean to upset you, Brad, it's just that Ricks are, and should remain, frozen in time. I also think 4004C's should have Toasters on them, too".
I agree with Brad. I've always thought RIC would sell many more instruments if they would realize it's not still 1963. I think the latest version of the 4001 that looks like McCartney's, looks horrible with that upside down head and nameplate.
I never liked they way it looked on the left handed model, I most certainly don't like it on the right handed one. Go into most music stores that are authorized RIC dealers. You are lucky if you see one instrument in stock, because they haven't kept up with the times much, and they really don't market themselves very well.
I agree with Brad. I've always thought RIC would sell many more instruments if they would realize it's not still 1963. I think the latest version of the 4001 that looks like McCartney's, looks horrible with that upside down head and nameplate.
I never liked they way it looked on the left handed model, I most certainly don't like it on the right handed one. Go into most music stores that are authorized RIC dealers. You are lucky if you see one instrument in stock, because they haven't kept up with the times much, and they really don't market themselves very well.
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS!
Yeah guys, I mean if Ric wants to hold on to the tradition I'm all for it. I don't mean they should abandon that at all. Just that they should move on with the times as well, and offer instruments that are more contemporary in design. I'm not advocating a complete departure from what made them great, just a reasonable attempt to gain new customers - young players that aren't into sounding (or looking) like the Byrds, Beatles, Geddy Lee or Chris Squire. Rics are versatile instruments, but nobody realizes it. Make them see it!
In the '70s, young players thought Rics looked cool. Today it seems most young players think Rics look like something from the past, and many can't get over the looks and decidedly different feel from 'modern' basses to which they've become accustomed. The best quality production bass isn't getting a fair shake in the market, and it's mostly Rickenbacker's fault by their own marketing decisions!
If Rickenbacker would address this situation properly, they would see a return to the glory days of the '70s. If they ignore it, they will alienate themselves from a generation that doesn't relate to the tradition they are protecting.
In the '70s, young players thought Rics looked cool. Today it seems most young players think Rics look like something from the past, and many can't get over the looks and decidedly different feel from 'modern' basses to which they've become accustomed. The best quality production bass isn't getting a fair shake in the market, and it's mostly Rickenbacker's fault by their own marketing decisions!
If Rickenbacker would address this situation properly, they would see a return to the glory days of the '70s. If they ignore it, they will alienate themselves from a generation that doesn't relate to the tradition they are protecting.
Joey, you are dead wrong. John Hall's last quote on sales is that about 95% of what they ship is pre-sold and never gets hung on the wall. Add to that the fact that their production plant is too maxed out to allow a custom shop, and Mr. Hall has no plans to expand, modernize, go public, or what have you. Add to that, whose records sell consistently, year in, year out, even with youngsters? The BEATLES, for crying out loud?
Joey, those Ricks are selling somewhere. My thinking is simply,as Sir Paul would say about playing his Hofner all the time, that it had become expected of him, that likewise with Rickenbackers, people expect them to sound like,what else? Rickenbackers.
So here's the challenge: email John Hall, and ask if he's worried about the direction sales are going. If yes, let us know, so we can do the right thing.
And I admit: I see the '60s as the Golden Decade of all recorded history.
Cheers,
Garry
Joey, those Ricks are selling somewhere. My thinking is simply,as Sir Paul would say about playing his Hofner all the time, that it had become expected of him, that likewise with Rickenbackers, people expect them to sound like,what else? Rickenbackers.
So here's the challenge: email John Hall, and ask if he's worried about the direction sales are going. If yes, let us know, so we can do the right thing.
And I admit: I see the '60s as the Golden Decade of all recorded history.
Cheers,
Garry
The ideal mix leaves the bass player louder than the rest of the band put together!
Garry, wake up and smell the coffee.
I can relate to the idea of not wanting to change the way I do business since I have been self-employed as a manufacturer for twenty years myself and it's easier for me to keep production quality high by not becoming too big - but Joey's dead on when it comes to Rickenbacker not keeping up with the times. 95% of what is sold is to old geezers like you and me who insist on what we have always loved, but we old geezers are dying out. Where's the younger generation going to catch on? It's just not going to happen unless somebody with a vision for the future starts making some wise moves with the product.
I have talked five stores into becoming Ric dealers in the last 24 years, and the same scenario plays out each time: They make the initial purchase and stock several instruments, they sell a few right away to diehard Ric fanatics, and then it takes them forever to unload the rest because they appeal to such a small percentage of their customers. Then they never buy any more. Every time Ric has had a good idea they've shot themselves in the foot. For instance, the Blackstar bass was a good idea that was poorly executed. People loved the sound and look, but the paint all but fell off of them, and they made only a small number. Other small changes, little things like checkerboard binding and something other than dot inlays, can also make a big difference in selling instruments without compromising 'tradition.'
This is not a slam at Mr. Hall. Joey has spoken very highly of him and has the utmost respect for him, as do I. A wise man hears advice and receives it for what it's worth, then learns from it and makes subsequent wise decisions. There is no reason to think that Mr. Hall doesn't want Rickenbacker to be an even greater company in the future, and selling '60s model instruments in the 21st century isn't going to cut it.
The '60s are gone, man.
I can relate to the idea of not wanting to change the way I do business since I have been self-employed as a manufacturer for twenty years myself and it's easier for me to keep production quality high by not becoming too big - but Joey's dead on when it comes to Rickenbacker not keeping up with the times. 95% of what is sold is to old geezers like you and me who insist on what we have always loved, but we old geezers are dying out. Where's the younger generation going to catch on? It's just not going to happen unless somebody with a vision for the future starts making some wise moves with the product.
I have talked five stores into becoming Ric dealers in the last 24 years, and the same scenario plays out each time: They make the initial purchase and stock several instruments, they sell a few right away to diehard Ric fanatics, and then it takes them forever to unload the rest because they appeal to such a small percentage of their customers. Then they never buy any more. Every time Ric has had a good idea they've shot themselves in the foot. For instance, the Blackstar bass was a good idea that was poorly executed. People loved the sound and look, but the paint all but fell off of them, and they made only a small number. Other small changes, little things like checkerboard binding and something other than dot inlays, can also make a big difference in selling instruments without compromising 'tradition.'
This is not a slam at Mr. Hall. Joey has spoken very highly of him and has the utmost respect for him, as do I. A wise man hears advice and receives it for what it's worth, then learns from it and makes subsequent wise decisions. There is no reason to think that Mr. Hall doesn't want Rickenbacker to be an even greater company in the future, and selling '60s model instruments in the 21st century isn't going to cut it.
The '60s are gone, man.