Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

A couple of days ago, we were working on taking a six string bass apart at our workshop of Knooren handcrafted instruments because it suffered a fatal trussrod break, since the bass had a glued in neck we had no other option but to chop it out with a chisel. I then was told to saw the headstock off so that the ornate fingerboard could be salvaged. So after I went Henry the VIII'th on that neck inspiration stuck and I told my boss: "Say wouldn't it be cool to place that headstock on a sockel like a trophy?"

And so I did exactly that, it looked really cool but then I had a better idea. I took a flat piece of maple, shaped it into a Ricky headstock, finished it "Jet-glo" put some very old machine heads and a name plate and there it was.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/P1010118.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/P1010119.jpg

I now have one of the coolest ornaments ever on my desk. If you look closely you'll see that the name plate actually says "Bickenracker"

Uh-oh. Here we go again!

Wouter, it would be worth your while searching this forum for earlier threads pertaining to Rickenbacker International Corporation's attitude towards trademark infringements. It takes the issue seriously.

oh-oh

I can't look...

A-w-w, l-i-i-i-ght-en up, fellers...

If it's on his desk, who gi-i-i-ves a rats-a-a-a-ss...

Dane, I like the Mr Ed drawl in your post

The majority of forum members are already aware of RIC's position regarding trademark infringements. Every now and then, a newer forum member ventures into this area. I'm simply attempting to make Wouter aware of the situation.

The TRC might be sitting on Wouter's desk today, but it might find it's way onto the headstock of another bass in time to come, and that's the whole point.

Yes, and I might find my way into Congress someday, so I guess I ought to be arrested right now...

Dane, I'm simply trying to help out here.

I've read almost all of the previous discussions surrounding this topic, including John Hall's own comments about RIC's pursuit of trademark infringements. I understand why they take it seriously.

Displaying pictures of infringing creations in a public place usually leads to decisive action being taken by RIC.

To answer your earlier question, RIC usually gives a rats *ss about the subject.

I'll give up my curious knicknacks when they pry them off my cold, dead desktop...

Freedom's on the march, so they say...

Hmm. Looks a bit scary to me.

I assure you, Sheena...Mr. Ed is not scary in the least..he's merely a talking horse who had a career in Hollywood for a few years...

he became un-"glued"

You're 'slayin' me again, Jared...

I gotta quit now and get some sleep...I'm feeling a bit 'knackered'...

There is something about that headstock pic which reminds me of those vile ashtrays made from an elephant's foot. Grim.

Yup, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder!

Come on, I don't think that a one-off "Bickenracker" desk ornament will have John Hall and his people hunt for my head.

If his team shows him this message and the pictures I included, I'm sure that he must realise from my message that I made this for fun and that I have no intention of making a series of them, he has more to worry about Chinese companies making rickenbacker copies than to worry about a luthier who made something funny for his own use.