Do people ever actually play their Rickenbackers?

fergs40 · Post by **fergs40** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 9:31 am

Just an idle thought - so many of the guitars advertised on eBay and the like are described as 'mint condition', even those which are ten years and more old. Indeed, my own 620/12 was described by its previous owner as having 'been out of the case two or three times'.

So do people actually buy these instruments to play? Are there people out there with big bald spots in the finish, the odd dent - in short, something to show that their guitars have actually lived?

PS I should point out that I'm not advocating Mr Townshend's approach to guitar care at all. But I don't particularly baby my guitars either...

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:35 am

I play my '67 4005WB and '73 4001 all the time. In fact the '67 was just out to a couple of guitar shops today to show off! I also gig with them whenever I can.

www.rareblend.net

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:38 pm

Damn straight. Why else would you own one?

Alright, this is a little tongue in cheek. There certainly are situations where a guitar can be an investment - and you don't look at your stock certificates daily or spend stolen moments with your bank book. But for most of us, the guitars simply aren't that valuable. And if you don't want to play yours, why did you buy it in the first place?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:45 pm

Fregs40: I play all of my Rickenbackers and they have the nicks to prove it. As I have said before, life is short jangle on!

fergs40 · Post by **fergs40** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 2:06 pm

Peter - I'm janglin' (I think - still trying to work this bizarre guitar out...)

Adam - I have every intention of playing it. I am playing it. I will be playing it. It will get dropped. It will get scuffed. It will not be perfect.

Who knows, maybe people will like my music and want to buy it for thousands of dollars one day.

Or maybe my grandkids will inherit it and learn to play guitar.

Not sure which of those is the most valuable, in truth.

spike · Post by **spike** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 3:40 pm

What's the point in owning a guitar if it's not going to be played? Nicks, dents and scratches are all part of a guitar's character.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:07 pm

I NEED to get out and play mine in the hopes that someday there will be a signature model of my bass!

Seriously, though, the ones I own are not "investment grade", a '73 4001 MG and a '76 4001 AzureGlo. They are beautiful, have a little wear, and sound AWESOME on stage and in the studio, and that is what I care about most. Why would I want to flail on some Jazz Bass (nothing against them, I have one of those too..) when I have the ones I want sitting under the bed, waiting to sell one day? Forget it. PLAY EM!!

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 4:03 am

i bought my 4003 used in 2002. It was 13 yrs old and nicked but in very good condition.

I have played it on every gig an rehearsal since. Probably like 500 hours of playing

ralph · Post by **ralph** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:49 am

i at one time had 5 rics & found that i hardly
ever played them opting to play my strat or tele
i now only have my tom petty that i bought about 5 years ago & more than likely will keep forever.i play it all the time in my band during rehersals on songs that require a 12 string guitar. i will only gig with it though if we play at a decent venue otherwise
i have a carvin 12 string that i purchased last year that suits just fine in tone & playabilty
the petty is showing a little wear & tear but
it doesnt affect sound at all. i feel this guitar
sounds way to nice through my vox amp to have sit on display or in a case doing nothing. i am in the market for another 12 string but i am leaning towards a fender electric xii.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 9:23 am

You guys have all got it right: Rics are beautiful to look at, but above all they were meant to be PLAYED. As pleasing as they are to the eye, the true appeal and mystique of the Rickenbacker is in its SOUND. I don't understand how anyone can collect guitars and never use them; I don't understand anyone who could buy a Ric and then not play it! Sure, I feel bad if I put a dent in a guitar (and I do try really hard not to!), but if it happens, it's not the end of the world, either; it's kind of like getting a dent in your car--sooner or later, it will probably happen although you do your best to take reasonable precautions.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 7:28 pm

I play my 360/12 out as my main guitar with my band. My backup is a 360. One of these days I want to get another 360/12 so I can have a 12 string backup.

I have to take a closeup of the headstock, I hit a lamp, which was made out of a transmission manifold during the last song of a set we played last summer, and knocked a chunk of wood off the corner. One of these days I'll get it fixed.

There are pictures on my bands site.

www.thebobbleheads.com

chucksimms · Post by **chucksimms** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:25 am

Like a few folks, I've gone through phases of which guitar I favour. It depends on the music, but my main guitar is my '66 Rick 335, a truly amazing instrument. It was VERY used when I got it, and becoming more so. I recently sold my Casino because I DON'T play it- the 335 gets all the playing time. I used the sale to offset my purchase of a 360/12! As for bass, though I own several, the only bass I play on a gig (unless I break a string) is my 4001CS. Now, that bass will never fetch $4,000! A lot of use, and I'd never sell it.

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:04 am

My 330 which I bought new in 1984 certainly has its share of battle scars, including edge wear along the left side above the sound hole that was worn to the wood by my forearm, and a large ding in the lower horn from a cymbal being kicked over during the finale to "My Generation" at a 1987 gig!!

fergs40 · Post by **fergs40** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 1:19 pm

Now that's damage to be proud of, Glenn!

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 1:49 pm

Appropriate, too Glenn!
I play my new 660/12 out, no dings yet. When I was bassin', I played my 4005 without a care in the '80's. It is scuffed but still beautious!
see mine at: www.shamustwins.com