Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This is something that I think about from time to time....to start off with, IMO it doesn't really matter what group you are in here...

There are those who buy instruments as an investment; there are those who 'invest' in great older instruments for there playability and historical significance; there are those who buy new or 'close to new' contemporary instruments, and those who could not care less; they are just happy to play...I fit somewhere in all of these.
Some of us will not hesitate to make modifications to different degrees to their instruments(old or new), and some who need 100% accuracy or authenticity to be satisfied. After all, its this diversity that makes the hobby/career/lifestyle so very interesting.
So please comment, if you will, on this fabulous world of collecting,playing etc...!!

Lefty: I am a player all the way. I make aesthetic and functional modifications along the way but not with the idea of resale or increasing the value of the instrument. At this stage in my life I am interested in the instrument and its history for the "fun" of it. I want it to look great and sound great. The value for me is not important, other than it must be affordable. So far I have had very good luck buying used and expect that this trend will continue. I deal in Canadian dollars so what can I say?

Personally, I play bass just for amusment. I'm not really looking to "Make it big" in the music business; I do it just for fun.
For 10 years, I've always wanted a Ric, so I finally got mine. It just so happens that after I purchased mine, I found out it was made the same month and year that I was born. Which brings up the question,(I probably know the answer, but I'll ask anyway), Is there anyway I can find out what exact day mine was made?

Peter: I guess in my case with being left-handed, the pickings for new as well as used instruments are not near what they are for righty-players. I consider myself fortunate to have what I've been able to 'scrape up' over the past 20 years or so. I come across stuff from time to time that I really dig, and it ends up being a gut feeling whether its right for me to buy it(along with, "do I have the bucks to do this???".....)
So, I really live by the rule of "if you see a chance, take it" philosophy. I have stuff that is bone-stock as well as hot-rodded to a certain extent---I love it all.

I find my self in the same category as Peter in that I love my basses to look and sound great. For me this means no mods other than minor wiring that can always be changed back at anytime.
I've never bought a bass for an investment, but only to play. If I can't play it then I won't buy it. I tend to stay with vintage 60's and early 70's basses, the newer stuff out there today doesn't do anything for me. I bought a new Reverend Rumblefish 5L a year ago, but even it has a very retro look and feel to it.
If I had the money i'm sure that I would own a lot more basses than I currently do, but then again like, Peter I must also deal in Canadian dollars.
Cheers
Jon

I am definitely a player, not a collector. Like "leftybass", I also consider myself fortunate to have obtained three lefty RICs, one of which is a 360/12 CW. Although the CW may be considered a collectible sometime in the future, I bought it because of the sound, not as investment. It gets played as much as any other.

Richard: In 1991 I ordered for myself 4001CS left-handed and waited for it for 7 1/2 months. I play it too but I am usually somewhat conscious of my surroundings; for if something should happen to it it would be VERY hard to replace, just as your CW would. My CS is not my main bass but it does get played on occasion !! So I guess the collector in me is coming out in this instance..Happy playing !!

I play and use my equipment hard in the studio and on stage all the time. Somehow I have never really harmed any of the guitars and basses I've owmed. Though I do have to say I baby the truly expensive and rarer ones. I guess like some others here, I would love to have the ultimate collection of "wall hangers", but I would be tempted to play them all the time too.

I just wanted to add that I haven't been on a stage since 1973 and then I was playing keyboards and handling the backup vocals. Now I play for my own enjoyment with family and friends

I am strictly a player for the "sound". I have a scrappy strat copy and a scrappy accoustic for fun, but the Rick is my only real guitar. I also really like the sound of a good Telecaster. I would like to start a collection to broaden the versatility of what I like to play (60's Rock, 80's (REM), some Punk (Ramones,etc..) and more recent classic stuff like Tom Petty. My purchase order in the next 30 or so years will be a 360, a 650, a 450 (if I can find one cheap) and then a Tele. All guitars will need to be tough, because I am also tired of babying my old 335. A "C" series 325 would be nice, but that would be more for prestige (never happening). Lastly, I can't forget to add an AC15 or 30.

I want to be a player (quite amateur, self taught) but I do enjoy some of the aspects of collecting as part of the whole guitar hobby. So far I have 4 electric Ricks and 1 acoustic Ovation. I'm still looking to add another electric and another acoustic but I play them all (or try to!). I wouldn't be interested in having any one that I didn't play regularly. Then it would be best to sell it to someone who would make use of it.

Jon

I've had a mess of ricks, but I've three left- my 1966 335, a 4003S and a CS4001. Yeah, they're cool, and the CS4001 and 335 are somewhat 'collectible', but if I can't enjoy playing my instruments at a gig or recording than I should sell them, and barring any tragedies THAT won't be happening!

whitford -- I'd love to see a picture of your 66 335. I've never seen another aside from mine.

A player, love my rick(325V63 jetglo) rocking on stage.

Sure! It's a fireglo; I do have a couple of J Pegs. E-Mail me at [email protected] and I'll send them to you!