Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Thought this might be an interesting contrast for those of you who have had the pleasure of touring the Rickenbacker factory...

http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/plant_tour/pt0.html

This looks more like the Gibson Factory I know....

Very interesting. No cool CEO in sight though...

Thats the origional factory here in Kalamazoo - it is now home to Heritage Guitars, which is the instrument pictured.

Note the painter without a breathing apparatus...

What strikes me most about these photos and also the photos I've seen of Gretsch's Terada (Japan) factory, is how old, decrepit, and just plain dirty they are. Somehow, they manage to produce good-looking instruments.

However, I learned during my apprenticeship (and it's something I maintain in my own shops and drill into my students):

It's much less stressful to work in a clean, light environment.

And, SAFER

I noticed the lack of a breathing apparatus also. I was hoping for her sake they have a REALLY strong exhaust fan system! But then her hair was laying down...

Paul, I too was struck with the factory differences.

They couldn't cope with CAL-OSHA, who would probably write 'em up or shut 'em down...

(apologies to Bruce Springsteen for this one...)

Tonight, tonight, the burst is bright...
Out of my way, mister, you'd best keep.
I wear no mask but the time is right
For sprayin' in the streets!

I wonder how they managed to secure the services of the "one and only male scraper"?

I also missed the photo of the bondo applicator, who so lovingly filled the crevices in an brand-new SG I saw hanging in my local GC a few months ago.

Bondo adds sustain.

Isn't that the new Music Man bass? Oh, wait...

Here's a link to Gibson's new Epiphone factory in China, which opened in 2001. Talk about clean and consistent!

http://www.epiphone.com/FactoryTour/qdtour.html

I've been to Gibson's OMI Showcase at Nashville's Opry Mills Mall. They have large windows between the factory (mandolins, banjos, & dobros) and the store. There are kiosks throughout the store, where final setups are done.

I've also been to Gibson's Memphis facility, where their hollow bodies are produced. Although, I didn't tour the factory, I did visit the Rock N Soul Museum, which is located on the upper floor of facility.

I visited the Nashville showroom and factory about three weeks ago. I entered wearing my new Rickenbacker t-shirt proudly. The only thing I bought there was another copy of the Bacon and Day Rickenbacker book. How's that for brand loyalty, eh?

How cheeky of you Darren!