Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Thanks to John Hall and RIC for having the 'nads to come on to a group of enthusiasts such as this. I'm in a similar product/service business and have the same problems trying to please everyone on everything (I'm an editor of a hobby magazine). I've received criticisms indirectly on discussion groups, and I try to respond and clarify where I can (often to receive more "incoming fire").

I'm a big RIC fan, even though the company won't find me on its database -- I've bought all four of my Ricks (so far) used (but not abused). I'm not going to regale you all with war stories of using other brands as I don't have much experience. But I'm pickled tink with the quality of the Ricks I have now and applaud the company for the consistent manufacturing standards.

Being in publishing, circulation (sales) is always a prime concern, right up there with, and driven by, quality. I'm sure RIC sells everything it makes, but loving its products so much I'm sometimes at a loss to explain why I don't see more of them "out there." I pick up Bass Player magazine once in a while, and I see ads for everything under the sun -- except RIC. I suppose advertising might drive sales beyond RIC's production capacity. I walk into music stores (I'm in Milwaukee), and I've seen Ricks in only two, and a limited stock at that.

It's hard to argue with selling everything you make and having a good reputation. Perhaps increasing productivity and exposure to potential customers would result in the need for a larger company and offshore outsourcing (please, NO!), but I sure would like to see more Ricks "out there."

So again, thanks John. Someday I hope to buy a brand new Rick from you, maybe make it an annual event with the color of the year!

Ditto's from a (going on 31 yrs) loyal RIC fan.

Mr Hall, thank you for your contributions to the music industry!

Paul, here's a paraphrase of a famous quote (with apologies to Abe Lincoln):

You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

I echo Jared's thanks to JH.

Gary,

I've often thought of another famous quote with regards to Mr. Hall's comments on this and other forums:

"No good deed goes unpunished!"

Thanks Mr. Hall, my Ricks are among my most prized physical possessions, consistently high quality instruments that make me sound better than I really am!

Gene, your comment on most prized possessions makes me think of those poor folks who have lost their homes in the Southern California fires: if I had five minutes to grab valuables and git, what would I grab? Dorothy, you get the family photos, the hard drive from the computer, I'll get the basses. Screw the cats!

A good rule to follow ...

If you have a problem with Rickenbacker International Corporation ... try to resolve it with them and don't spread dirty laundry all over the internet ... that will make you and them look bad ...

We all like to complain about the discontined items that we want brought back, like black trim and checkered binding ... that's OK ... we need to think before we post ...

My thanks go out to Mr. Hall too. He's a class act.

Not to argue, but negative & positive feedback should be invaluable to Mr. Hall. He's got multiple inputs: performing artists, the Net, his management team, his kids. He wouldn't contribute here if the opinions, et al, didn't help him run his business. I doubt he'd give it a thought if all he wanted was to be surrounded by yes-men.

James,
I don't think John Hall would call us yes-men!
(Except me, of course for my passionate interest in Yes music!)

Chris Squire is definitely a Yes-man.

I thought the internet was all about dirty laundry?

I agree thank goodness for John Hall. Exactly right Kenny. You are close to the edge with your comment regarding Chris Squire.

Webhead: Yes and there is no limit to our erring of it either.

I'd have to concur with most of the opinions on this topic. I have been visiting here for a long time before ever posting and I thought it was so amazingly cool that the president of the company came on and answered questions! That is rare, and it shows an attention to detail and caring for the product which has, sadly, been lost in much of the marketplace. I hope Mr. Hall keeps visiting the forum and seeing that there are many many people out here who love what they do enough to express their opinions and cherish the instruments they make.

Just to clarify. I don't consider myself a Yes-man. (Yes-fan, definitely). On several occasions, Mr. Hall, without being asked, took time out of his busy schedule to personally email me with some fascinating information relating to things discussed here. I have a lot of respect for someone like that.

And I respect Pete, although he keeps Going for the Pun.