Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello all, first post, and hopefully one that will not get me booted

decided to tackle a DIY 4001 build, and blog my progress for friends. there is a bit of a story there actually, but I realized anyone else who has a bit of a Rick or bass building obsession might be interested as well. I realize there are lots of afficiandos who are very protective of the Rickenbacker product and history, I certianly mean no disrespect by building my own, it really is a tribute to the icon that is the 4001, and strictly for personal use and enjoyment.
Even though I have primarily been a P bass guy, I've had a couple Rics in the past (4003), and have recently rediscovered my appreciation for them.
there's some obvious differences in my build, 24 fret (single truss rod) neck for one, but generally it's pretty close, don't rip me apart on the small stuff, but really interested to see what you all have to say. of course, any help or corrections are much appreciated. if you want to read the back story, read the first post, otherwise this link takes you to the second post and beginning of the build.

http://sethenbacker.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... ecide.html

Welcome to the forum Bob. I compliment you on your skills to be able to build a guitar yourself. While it's fine that you built it for yourself, the problem with it being an infringement of RIC trademarks, is someday it will get sold, even if you keep it until your final breath.

understood, never really thought of that. guess I'll have to be buried with it.

in my 25 years of playing, I've done dozen's of P and J homebuilds, just wanted to really challenge myself. don't mean to offend anyone, especially the folks at RIC, who happen to be 3 miles from my house

Looks like a whole lot of time, energy, and skill went in to making this. I admire those of you who have the talent and drive to set out to make your own bass...and then see it through to completion.

I have to disagree with you about Rick bass necks though. I have a couple that are flat and "D" shaped. But I've had over a dozen that are round, "C" shaped and PERFECT! Could not...possibly...be improved upon!

But then again...that's all up to the preferences of the individual, I suppose!

bobbolux wrote:guess I'll have to be buried with it.

Yeah it's just a matter of careful estate planning.

Great job, btw.

Bob, the difference between building nearly any guitar or bass (or a copy of any object out there) and a Rickenbacker instrument, is that RIC filed decades ago for protection of their designs and features (as intellectual property) under the Lanham Act.

Fender's designs, and most others, are not protected, and most recently, Fender's bid to seek protection after the fact, was denied in court. Why? Because they've stood by while every Tom, Dick and Harry has knocked their designs off literally millions of times over 5 decades.

RIC, on the other hand, has an unbroken record of prevalence over anyone who copies their designs, whether or not for profit. In other words, they pursue and have never lost a case in court.

If you want to challenge yourself, build your own design. If you want to pay a compliment to RIC and demonstrate your love of their products, buy a Rickenbacker!

After all, it's much cooler to be able to say, "I designed and built this," than to say "I built this knockoff/copy/replica/counterfeit."

Do not go to Bob's blog. I clicked on the link and it crashed Safari!

Chrome liked it...

jps wrote:Do not go to Bob's blog. I clicked on the link and it crashed Safari!

There's your problem.

nattiep wrote:

jps wrote:Do not go to Bob's blog. I clicked on the link and it crashed Safari!

There's your problem.

C'mon Jeff, If you insist on having a Mac, at least install a proper browser like Firefox!

Safari!!!!????

+1 for Firefox.

Today, on my MAC, I clicked on a HELP link for a vendor and it opened up...

NETSCAPE!!!!

I mean to tell ya...I'm still shaking from my '90s flashbacks. THANKS, Netscape...

+1 for Firefox. I've been using chrome lately just to see what it's all about. Not a bad browser, fixes a few of the bugs I used to get with Firefox, but it's got a few of its own...

Worked for me in Safari.

New Safari is great--no problems here. I've quit Firefox cold turkey.

86kubicki wrote:

nattiep wrote:

jps wrote:Do not go to Bob's blog. I clicked on the link and it crashed Safari!

There's your problem.

C'mon Jeff, If you insist on having a Mac, at least install a proper browser like Firefox!