Mid-Atlantic Rick Fest--- My Report to You...
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:32 am
Where do I start? I'll tell you.
Without Don Cooksey's suggestion that we should have a Rick Fest, it simply wouldn't have happened....a BIG round of applause for his initiative in making it a reality.
I suppose it's okay to lead off with a huge huge THANK YOU to all of you who attended. This was one of my own personal goals of being a co-organizer---that as many of us who love Rickenbackers could actually get together in person with their collections and learn from each other. Not only did we have an impressive showing of Rickenbackers at the Fest, we had a room full of GREAT people. The fellowship between the Forumites who attended was/is a great thing.
It was great meeting Kenny Howes, he started playing 'Brown Sugar' on my Banjoline at one point, it was cool. Thanks to Chris Clayton for coming down and hanging out. It all added to the fun.
All of you who donated funds to help cover the costs of running the Fest deserve a big round of applause, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you very very much.
What intstruments were standouts in my mind? Wow--there are some from each collection, but I'll stick to some highlights:
1.) Many of you had 4005s in your collection, and the Fest was the first opportunity that I've had to spend a decent amount of time with them..I was surprised at how light the 4005WB basses were, and the 4005s I played sounded sweet.
2.) Ken's '67 4001-S was cool, just an awsome vibe from that bass, even upside-down..LOL! His 'new' 69 4001 was really nice, a great new find for Ken.
3.) There were many reunions with instruments that I had previously drooled over, like John Williams's '59 315, just an awesome little guitar in both condition an playability.
4.) I thought the little Walter Woods amp that Marc brought was neat, great sounding little amp.
5.) I certainly did experience an epiphany at the Fest, it was the 4002. It was my first time holding one, being that they are a rare bird.
What a bass. In my own expereince of owning Rickenbacker basses since 1980, I don't think I've played a Rick Bass that sounded and played as good. If they made a left-handed one, someone tell me where it is. I WILL have it. What an instrument. John Hall, if you're reading, dig down in that pallet out in the factory and start on my new lefty 4002 first thing next week. (LOL)...WHY didn't I order one of these years ago?
NOW that you've read this, I would like all of you who came to the Fest to tell me about ANYTHING that we could do to make it better for the next time we do a Fest in the mid atlantic region of the USA. Your input does matter, and Don and I would appreciate any comments both good and bad about what we did, and what can do next time...
Many thanks again to all of you, it was great! Now let's hear from you....
Without Don Cooksey's suggestion that we should have a Rick Fest, it simply wouldn't have happened....a BIG round of applause for his initiative in making it a reality.
I suppose it's okay to lead off with a huge huge THANK YOU to all of you who attended. This was one of my own personal goals of being a co-organizer---that as many of us who love Rickenbackers could actually get together in person with their collections and learn from each other. Not only did we have an impressive showing of Rickenbackers at the Fest, we had a room full of GREAT people. The fellowship between the Forumites who attended was/is a great thing.
It was great meeting Kenny Howes, he started playing 'Brown Sugar' on my Banjoline at one point, it was cool. Thanks to Chris Clayton for coming down and hanging out. It all added to the fun.
All of you who donated funds to help cover the costs of running the Fest deserve a big round of applause, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you very very much.
What intstruments were standouts in my mind? Wow--there are some from each collection, but I'll stick to some highlights:
1.) Many of you had 4005s in your collection, and the Fest was the first opportunity that I've had to spend a decent amount of time with them..I was surprised at how light the 4005WB basses were, and the 4005s I played sounded sweet.
2.) Ken's '67 4001-S was cool, just an awsome vibe from that bass, even upside-down..LOL! His 'new' 69 4001 was really nice, a great new find for Ken.
3.) There were many reunions with instruments that I had previously drooled over, like John Williams's '59 315, just an awesome little guitar in both condition an playability.
4.) I thought the little Walter Woods amp that Marc brought was neat, great sounding little amp.
5.) I certainly did experience an epiphany at the Fest, it was the 4002. It was my first time holding one, being that they are a rare bird.
What a bass. In my own expereince of owning Rickenbacker basses since 1980, I don't think I've played a Rick Bass that sounded and played as good. If they made a left-handed one, someone tell me where it is. I WILL have it. What an instrument. John Hall, if you're reading, dig down in that pallet out in the factory and start on my new lefty 4002 first thing next week. (LOL)...WHY didn't I order one of these years ago?
NOW that you've read this, I would like all of you who came to the Fest to tell me about ANYTHING that we could do to make it better for the next time we do a Fest in the mid atlantic region of the USA. Your input does matter, and Don and I would appreciate any comments both good and bad about what we did, and what can do next time...
Many thanks again to all of you, it was great! Now let's hear from you....
Everyone there was great and it is wonderful that a bunch of folks, most of whom had never met each other before can get together in one (okay, two rooms) and consider each other old pals. Not to mention the trust placed on everyone with these exceptional instruments among us (how many did we have, 112? Something like that). 
