Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

...Just got my "Rickenbacker" book by Richard R. Smith-
Not bad...the other book on Rics I saw was something like $100.00; prolly pretty nice, but...l8r.

For all you voracious readers, I would personally also recommend "Ampeg- the Story Behind the Sound"...if I may, or "How the Fender Bass Changed the World", or
"Dyn-O-Mite! Debby, the Girl with the..." oh, err, never mind, that's a different topic...

THIS one seems pretty cool, lots of history, some cool pics, but...but...

NO 4004L! No update. Should be recalled; updated, at no charge to purchaser.
Very cool section on the Basses, nice book at large, and I'm SURE that all you Rick-o-geeks are familiar with it; maybe even have some critiques et al.. I like it-

But no LAREDO...
My my my. I understand, times change, etc.

But no LAREDO.....

Gonna have to think about that

I don't have my Smith book with me right now, but IIRC it was published before the Laredo/Cheyenne series was produced.

I believe we are all in agreement that "The Book" needs a serious update, but who's going to do it?

Richard Smith, where are you?

I'LL do it!
WHo better?!?
who needs all this History and data, and specs and factory back-story??!

No, let ME do it.
As it happens I own a LAredo, purchased subsequent to 1987, when I beleeb this book was done dealed.

As a matter of fact I just go my Laredo 1/7/09, I believe it was.

Yes, it was a dark, stormy night when the UPS truck came, and within, my Laredo.
A bass which I had never seen, save for a j-peg, a bass whom I had never played, save for my vast experience with 7 other instruments.
A bass made by Rickenbacker, a company whom I formerly thought:
"Meh- Who needs 'em? Geddy Lee? McCartney? Chris Squire?
Yea, good and all-
But Jamerson, Rainey, Duck, Hutch, Jermott, Weeks, my guys-don't see no Ric.

But you should...and no matter-I've got one, and am willing to testify if necessary under oath, that the Laredo keeps the pocket.
Deep.
I know.
So gimmee a pen, and send me your books; I got your backs.

Mr. Boyer.....paging Mr. Boyer....

...He's busy polishing his Blue 4004 Cheyenne, his 756th Rickenbacker instrument is it??

The Smith book dates from the late '80s. (Don't have my copy here, but I recall 1987-ish).

So, there's a LOT missing, like about 1/3 of all the cool stuff, which has happened since then.

There are two other excellent reference works, unfortunately written and published in Japan, but filled with great photos and diagrams.

These are called "mooks" (magazine + book); one is on Rickenbacker history and products in general, and the other is specifically on 12 string Rickenbackers. They're somewhere North of $125 each these days, when they do become available, usually on Ebay USA.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=new

I have the "Bass Book" by these guys; not bad...good pix, but it was less than the $53-118 on Amazon; also lists a Rickenbacker a Collector Value book which is different, of course.

Ummmmm....
pictures......

Larry and everyone, I am still in the middle of producing what I hope will be the be-all end-all book on Rickenbacker basses. At this point, I'll have to say it will likely be a self-published effort. I had been in negotiations with Hal Leonard, but they were not satisfied with the amount of "industry assistance" I was able to garner over the years. That may change soon with some new contacts I have made, but until I can get all the ducks in the row, it will remain a self-published product that will appear at my own speed (in other words, no deadline). The up side of self-publishing is that I can produce quantities to order and update the book at any time. The down side is the absence of the huge marketing effort available with Hal Leonard. In the meantime, I continue to gather information and great photos from Forumites and collectors around the globe.

Ahhhh-HA!
So THAT's why you've been posting fascinating and scintillating threads like:
"Your fretboard- Bright & Shiny like a mirror, or flat & matte, like a New England Oyster?"

S-E-X-Y

No seriously tho-
After spending some time with the Rickenbacker book as noted, it's very cool, but as said-
IN-COMPLETE!

No Laredo! That "Mad" Smilie ain't nearly enuff...

Paul, it would be very nice to see someone with your interest and knowledge publish a book like this- Have you shopped it elsewhere besides Hal Leonard? I don't know anything about the publishing biz, so...

Noble idea! Keep up the good work-

And please- Devote at least half the book to-
LAREDOs

The Smith book truly has been the standard. It was a great effort but so much necessary info was not available to Smith at the time. He did the best he could with what he gathered. I, for one am looking forward to Paul's book. It will no doubt become the standard for Rickenbacker bass enthusiasts of all stripes.

jingle_jangle wrote:The Smith book dates from the late '80s. (Don't have my copy here, but I recall 1987-ish).

So, there's a LOT missing, like about 1/3 of all the cool stuff, which has happened since then.

There are two other excellent reference works, unfortunately written and published in Japan, but filled with great photos and diagrams.

These are called "mooks" (magazine + book); one is on Rickenbacker history and products in general, and the other is specifically on 12 string Rickenbackers. They're somewhere North of $125 each these days, when they do become available, usually on Ebay USA.

Yup - exactly 1987. The most recent item in the book is the picture of Mike Mesaros holding a Shadow.

Paul's book cover will look something like this:

+1 to the Smith book being excellent, lotta good stuff in there, nicely presented.

+1 to needing a new updated version (*cough *cough add LAREDO); one with the more recent developments from the company and the music world (*cough *cough emphasize LAREDO)..

I NOMINATE.....

PAUL BOYER- official Historian/Bookwriter of Modern Post- 1987 21st Century Ric Bass stuff-
(not enough room for the guitarz)...

Let's hear it for Paul!

YAAAAAAAAAY ! (*clap clap- many details of LAREDO).....

Exactly. Paul said he wants it to be a field guide.

A saltier version-