Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has Rickenbacker ever offered any really cool jackets, shirts, etc.? The recent offerings aren't nearly as classy as the stuff they build. Any info or thoughts?

BAss-ically Yours,
Rich

www.richbriere.com

Some time ago, the company offered jackets (denim, IIRC) as well as sweatshirts and hats (baseball). I have a sweatshirt and hat (NOS from the UK) and I think that Melibee has one of the jackets.

Giorgio Armani and I came to some agreement years ago- he won't design guitars and I won't design clothing.

It wasn't always that way; years ago there was a line of very expensive men's suits with the Rickenbacker brand sold in Japan, complete with my embroidered signature on the inside pocket.

The only one I still have I wear to funerals.

Gary's right; I have one of the denim jackets with the embossed TRC logo on the back, and I also have one of the sweatshirts--it's black with the TRC logo embroidered in gold in the upper left corner. It's a favorite of mine to wear around the house, and it is now faded to a dark gray and looks a bit ratty; I'd love to find another one in better condition.

I featured the jacket in my February RRF calendar photo of my 615:

John,

Hopefully you'll take the following as it's meant, straight from my heart. I was a Fender rep for more than a decade and every year of that time I came in #1 in clothing sales as well as attaining the "Top Gun" award for Fender. I've been an independent rep for years and worked for many "classy" companies in that time. During the entire period I've also been a Ric player and have owned about a dozen of your instruments. If I could, I'd be a Ric dealer at my store right now. None of what's above is meant as a "Hey look how cool I am". :^>) It's just a "this is a tiny bio".

IMHO, 99% of the people in this Forum would be wearing jackets like the one above to show their loyalty to you and your company. I know that I would. I just paid $300 for a Taylor jacket. :^>)

Rickenbacker is a lifestyle instrument as is Harley Davidson a lifestyle company. I'm sure it would surprise nobody here to know that HD sells far more clothing and accessory items than they do motorcycles. They sell much of it to people who don't even ride.

Would you sell more instruments because of adding a few cool pieces and seeing what flies?? That remains to be seen.....but we'd certainly be able to show our support to those who see us on the street and in the stores if the items were available. I can tell you that even MY coffee would taste better in a Rickenbacker mug! :^>)

Again, with all due respect to you and to this Forum, this has been my experience and I hope that you'll consider it.

PS: If you DO decide to add some logo items, please do the bass stuff first as we're the most deserving. lol. :^>)


Bass-ically Yours,
Rich Briere
Devoted Ric Fan

This was supposed to have been part of my post. Again..just Ric-food for Ric-thought.

Bass-ically Yours,
Rich Briere
http://www.richbriere.com

Very cool jacket, Melibee. I'd love to have one like that.

Hmmm chequered outlining around circle, Rickenbacker over the top, Fireglo background and v63 in the middle, I'd be up for a jacket !!

I don't see Rickenbacker as a "lifestyle" brand. Gibson and Fender seem to be just making the switch to that in the past five years or so.

Personally, I like my t-shirt, and I like my Rick guitars and basses, and i'd like them to stick to just that. I really don't need a pair of RIC-branded Chuck Taylors.

IMHO, Fender and Gibson are so far over the edge as to be closing in on nutso....there's a difference between a few nice pieces and ruby-red, battery-operated, sparkle-covered sneakers that light up with a brand name logo on them. :^>) John B, with all due respect, Fender was planning it out almost 20 years ago.

Count the number of genuine Icons in the MI business and it's quite short. Rickenbacker, IMHO, is right at the top of the list.

As for Ric not being a "lifestyle", how else would you explain the popularity of this forum.....or of the instruments that you, personally, own. :^>) If you suddenly had to give up all of your Ric way of thinking, would it affect your lifestyle? I know it would mine.

No big deal here as far as arguing about it, that's certainly not my intent by any means......just thought I'd toss it out as I'm heavily involved in marketing.

PS: You were born in 85. I was born a few years before that (:^>)) What are Chuck Taylors?

Bass-ically Yours,
Rich

Chucks are my shoe of choice, and are probably leading to future problems with my feet, back, and posture:

Hey, these are my shoes of choice as well!

I admire John's sticking to his guns and not crossing the apparel line any more.

Though having one of those Japanese suits would be sooo cool! Make mine FG!

Now we're talking, a shiny Fireglo suit white collar, and chequered trim .... !!!