Bronner

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1427062492' post='2725402'] Lennon never played a Ric, it was Lemmy. [/quote] But hopefully you realize that the real point is that he suggested that Lennon has a greater right than others to criticize a brand (in his case Jesus). Whereas, I say people have an equal right to criticize.

[quote name='bumnote' timestamp='1427061584' post='2725383'] Now I think you are getting ideas above your station [/quote] I disagree with you. Lennon's right to level a criticism is also the same right you and I possess. Nobody seriously believes the right of free expression should vest more strongly in pop stars, actors, dog groomers, or whatever. Your right to express yourself should be equal to Lennon's right (or whomever). Thanks for making my point about the Stalinist rationales underlying some of the attempts here to derail one persons's criticisms of a bass.

[quote name='Subbeh' timestamp='1427060208' post='2725345'] Many of the criticisms you have seem to be aimed at their basses in general [/quote] I do think that for the 1500 price tag of a Ric you can get more bass for your money from other brands. If I criticize the truss rod design in the Ric I had that would apply to other Rics that utilize that same design feature. But that doesn't change that the basis for my criticism is the instrument I bought. If you wanted to be fair about it, you'd point out that it's nonsensical when someone suggests that I have the power to stop them from buying a Ric.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1426969642' post='2724333'] why lock it? ... Don't like it? Don't read it. ... I say let people discuss whatever they please. [/quote] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I completely agree; The right to free and fair debate about a product includes the opportunity to voice one's opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. What's particularly odd is that expression is also backbone of making (music is also a form of expression). So, to see so many attempts to derail expression among musicians is ironic, disturbing, and completely at odds with the characteristics good musicians usually have. You know what it reminds me of? When Lennon said the 'Beatles were bigger than Jesus.' And the hecklers and record burners worked themselves into a frenzy to ban the Beatles. Just change the comment about Jesus to a comment about Rickenbackers. [/font][/size]

[quote name='Grassie' timestamp='1426986988' post='2724509'] I'm off up town tomorrow to buy meself a 4003 and a Ric coffee mug. Deal with it Bronner. [/quote] You have the ability to buy whatever you want. I am not standing in the way of your right to purchase a bass or a banjo (of any make or model). Even if I had the power to prevent you from purchasing something, I wouldn't exercise that power because personal choice is a fundamental and basic right. So is the right to express an opinion about a product. The real issue is that there are those set on trying to dissuade me from [u]having and expressing an opinion about an instrument that [color=#ff0000][b]I[/b][/color] bought[/u].

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1426966311' post='2724250'] no-one's actually disputing many of the points you make - it's more the manner in which you're making them that's rubbing people up the wrong way.[/quote] People can choose to believe they are 'rubbed the wrong way' or the 'right way' based on someone else's opinion of a product. It's not something I lose sleep over. I don't get bent out of shape when people have opinions about tooth paste brands or tennis rackets either.

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1426954095' post='2723972'] You opened this post at just after midnight, on a Saturday morning.... [/quote] I didn't know there was a rule or aspersions would be cast for opening a post "[b][i]just after midnight, on a Saturday morning[/i][/b]." Of course, that's my mistake, I should have realized that the time the post was made was really the time the giant metal Donkey Harness over the Ric's bridge pickup is supposed to be praised as a work of art worthy of being exhibited in the Louvre.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1426944255' post='2723761'] why on earth did you buy it? [/quote] It's a fair question. I bought it more than 20 years ago the same way people buy basses on this forum. There always isn't an opportunity to try an instrument before purchase. I recommend anyone thinking of buying one to try one.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1426960551' post='2724118'] Wow. What a bizzare thread. What the OP doesn't seem to appreciate is that many people on BC already feel that Rickenbackers are overpriced, shoddily-made, mass-produced throwbacks with very little versatility. If he reads a little on here he'll find plenty of posts & threads expressing these views, none of which have been shut down by the RickenCops. And that plenty of people on here also feel that RIC's CEO behaves like a bullying, delusional, hostile megalomaniac, and this has negatively impacted on their opinion of the brand he represents. Bronner - most people on here really don't need to be talked out of buying a Rickenbacker. And there really isn't a secret BC fifth column, diligently beavering away to protect & promote that nice Mr Hall's business interests. It's all in your head, dear. Jon. [/quote] Best comment so far. Thanks Jon. I thought I was imagining the Ricken-Chickens parading their feathers and crowing to their God, the Junkenbacker.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1426942798' post='2723736'] I reckon a subject title 'A Rickenbacker is a waste of 1500 quid' would have been all you needed to say and we could all have an hour of our lives back. [/quote] How am I forcing you to read a thread? I'm emancipating you; read what you want, like a grown up.

[quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1426941834' post='2723712'] It's a bass that divides opinion judging by some of the comments on here. I remember when I first started playing, all I wanted was a Ricky - mainly because Bruce Foxton used one in the early days of The Jam. When I eventually got to try a couple out I remember feeling quite disappointed - didn't get on with the shape or feel of them (especially the fingerboard). However, it doesn't mean that it's a poor instrument - the number of top name rock bass players who have used it successfully in recordings proves that it has its place in music. [/quote] I agree with everything you wrote. My experiences are my own and [u]not[/u] shared with [i]present[/i] owners of the bass to say "you made a bad decision," but rather to [u]prospective[/u] buyers that may want a sampling of opinions on the issue before plunking down 1,500 for one.

[quote name='kevvo66' timestamp='1426941696' post='2723709'] My vote goes with mickenbacker mmmm tasty lol [/quote] LOL ! Wait 3 minutes and someone will come along and say I was trying to force you to buy the MickenBacker.

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1426939663' post='2723687'] I don't like Ric basses and sure wouldn't want to have to deal with them as a company. Saying that, everybody who like Rickenbacker basses should stop and buy another brand of bass because you are wrong*. * satire warning [/quote] Buy what you like, I don't want to (nor do I have the power to stop you) buying what you like. But if you think this is the truss rod on a [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]£1500 bass, I encourage you to look deeper into the design flaw.[/font][/color] [url="http://www.strangeguitarworks.com/rickenbacker-broken-truss-rod-repair/"]http://www.strangegu...uss-rod-repair/[/url] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Because the aluminum block is too small, the truss rods sometimes bend and put downward pressure on the headstock. [/font][/color] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]In those instances, the truss rod can bend and/or cause unnatural pressure on the finger board and headstock, with unpleasant results.[/color][/font] Repaired by independent builder to avoid damage to headstock and fretboard from truss rod adjustment.

[quote name='Chaos Daveo' timestamp='1426940159' post='2723692'] The things folk have issue with is dont tell people what to do [/quote] I didn't tell people what to do, exactly the opposite. I used to believe that in England they read and write in English: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]"[/font][/color][i][b][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]To the folks that like these basses at whatever price, fantastic, it's your choice. Enjoy your instrument and make good music."[/font][/b][/i] Where am I telling people they have to do what I say? To me it looks, [i]literally[/i], like I am saying the opposite.

You are mistaken: I didn't know this when I first posted this thread, but after looking into it, it's clear that the Rickenbacker company has a negative history with this website (and several other websites) all relating to allegations that Rickenbacker tries to strong-arm websites and opinions about their products. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Rickenbacker threatened to sue this site. It seems they did that to other websites and to people who posted unfavorable reviews of their instruments. That tactic backfires with me. I write under my own name. I have a low opinion about the brand, and a lesser opinion about the company in seeing the number of complaints all over the Web. Rickenbacker is a Paper Tiger. They would be defretted under California law if it can be shown they engage in these tactics.