Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone know of a new Ric book in the works? I was told someone was writing a "very extensive" book about rics.

Paul Boyer is getting close to finishing his book on Rick basses...

Well, "close" is a relative thing. I've been gathering information for years, but the actual writing is just started. I've got to negotiate with a publisher (Hal Leonard is "interested"), and I'm still gathering photos. RIC promises to help, but not until after this year as they are helping with "other publishing efforts" and can't commit until they are finished. I'm looking at release of the book in 2007-2008 depending on the publisher's schedule.

As planned, the book will be on Rickenbacker basses (all types), and no guitars (except the 4080s). It's going to be a users' and a collectors' guide, with feature timelines, electronic diagrams, anatomy of each model, and as many photos as I can get.

Watch this space.

Close enough for me...

"the book will be on Rickenbacker basses (all types), and no guitars (except the 4080s)"

The exact opposite of the Bacon & Day book!

I will get the book.

This sounds awesome...I'd love a copy when it's finally out.

For $10 more, Paul will autograph the copy ...

Paul, I certainly want the book. Also, I've had and have several Ric basses and lots of pics and some peripheral info. Do you have a need for my stuff? I'll gladly scan stuff or do digital pics as my schedule allows, but only if you want it! Don't want to overload you!

Paul,
Are you familiar with a self-publishing place called Lulu Press? A friend of mine just wrote a book on G.A.S. and he ended up using this place to publish it. They offer hard and soft cover, black & white or color, and you can even purchase the book as a download. I guess what makes it easy for him is that it's pretty much "print to order" so the up front costs weren't terribly high for him to get the book started.

I don't know too much more about it but he's happy. Places like JK Lutherie can place bulk orders or people can buy singles or downloads and choose whichever version they want.

Most self-publishing places have no marketing firepower (it's entirely up to the author to market the product) and also can't handle color plates without charging exorbitant rates.

Some places have restrictions on page dimensions, too.

I've self-published two books and I can honestly say it is more about self-satisfaction than it is about being an "author" for me.

I thought about the self-publishing angle for a while, but with the biggest music publisher in the country "interested," I'm going with them until they say, "nah, we didn't mean it." It's still going to be a couple years off. I retire the end of August, then I can devote more of my time and attention to the project.

I wish someone would document the acoustic series from RIC! Wonder why Bacon and Day didn't include those?

Cole

Good point, Cole, especially when one considers that there were at least two notable performers who used them (Ricky Nelson, Sam Cooke). It may have been akin to the situation that I run across most of the time when I mention that I own a RIC acoustic: "Rickenbacker acoustic? I didn't know they made 'em!".