Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was reading my Richard Smith 'Rickenbacker' book and it occurred to me again that it is from 1987. On the off chance that someone may know, has anyone heard if this book will be updated? That was some time ago, even though I'm in denial about it and unlike others who are aging, I still look 19. Uh, at any rate it would be great to read an upated edition. I suppose I could contact Centerstream.

That will most likely never happen. Richard is really more a Fender kind of guy. Have you read "Fender, The Sound Heard 'Round The World"? A most excellent book, really, that makes his Rickenbacker book look like it was a beginner's effort by comparison, in content, and in the physical quality of the book, itself. It would be nice if a really good book was done on the complete history of Rickenbacker, one that was correct and accurate in all areas; Paul Boyer is slavishly working on his bass book so we will have that, although, as Paul has mentioned, it will be more of a "field guide" sort of book. It will be a great book but only covers basses.

In general, has there been significant enough changes with the company to warrant a second edition? I suppose the formation of RIC and some production changes are notable points in Rickenbacker history, but I can't think if much else that is significantly new? Couple new models (650S etc)?

Smith seems to have spread as much bad information as he did good information, from what we've seen over the years. I would imagine an all-new book would be a better angle than an update to Smith's.

Is Richard Smith still around?

i think it was a good book as there was little else for the rick freak to drool over. i quite enjoyed and still do enjoy thumbing thru it.

As far as an overall history book, Smith's is good up to the point when he wrote it. I think John Hall's friend Matt Hill was organizing RIC's "archives" into a book with John's help, and I think once that is published it will be the ultimate history book on RIC. I don't know the status of that book. Hill was a curator at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, but was let go, I believe. Don't know if that will accelerate progress on the book or not.

I keep plugging along on my book, "Rickenbacker Basses - 50+ Years As Rock's Bottom" (www.rocks-bottom.com), due to the publisher by 1 December. I would imagine it will be released sometime early 2013.

I just picked up a copy of this book to bring me up to speed on my Ric and the history before it and a little after it - since mine's from '79 i guess that puts me in the sweet spot of the book. I also picked up Bacon's 12 string Ric book, why not. Here's to some nice reading and a little reference (although I won't hold those production numbers for the '79 360-12 as dead-on accurate, according to the threads I read here about accuracy).

bassduke49 wrote:I keep plugging along on my book, "Rickenbacker Basses - 50+ Years As Rock's Bottom" (http://www.rocks-bottom.com), due to the publisher by 1 December. I would imagine it will be released sometime early 2013.

The Blueburst 4003 on the sample photo page, was that picture taken at RIO in 2008? It seems to have the same woodgrain pattern as mine. Just curious...

(edit) Okay, found my picture folder from RIO, yep, that's mine. I didn't remember the other 4004 BBR being there that day, or this picture being taken. Does this mean my 4003 "made the book"?

Well, don't know yet. I haven't completed the 4003 chapter yet, nor the colors chapter. Most likely that shot of the two Blueburst basses will show up in the color chapter.

Well, if it does, it will certainly guarantee you one more book sale!

I, too, long for a current one. For one thing, there is very little discussion (for obvious reasons) of the John Hall era. Also, when it talks about famous Rick users, it ends in the early 80s with no mention of Marr, Buck, Hoffs, Weller, etc.

Other things in the book that jump out to me are no mention of HB-1s (may have been released before the HB-1 was), and the four "current" pickup types he lists - a humbucker (like on a 480), the "chrome bar" (aka "toaster," a term he never uses), the hi-gains, and a "hybrid" between a single coil and a humbucker. Is the hybrid the HB-1? If not, why not more detail? I've never heard of the hybrid pickup anywhere else. And why the name "chrome bar," which I've never heard anywhere else but there in his book? Was that a factory term? Had fans not started calling them toasters at that point?

Curious minds want to know.

John, first understand that my book will be on BASSES only and will include a few photos and mentions of "vintage" as well as contemporary artists using them. I will be pointing out the different pickups used, but not too technically. The "chrome bar" description was used by the factory in sales brochures and/or price sheets. Don't know the origin of the "Toaster" or "Toaster-Top" appellation, but RIC trademarks it now, I believe.

bassduke49 wrote:John, first understand that my book will be on BASSES only . . . .

I was responding to the OP, not YOU.

Good luck with your book.

that reminds me, I need to go get my copy back from my friend.Unless I can talk him into trading his Rick-o-sound box for it