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RickenFakers

Happy Jack

By Happy Jack,
in Bass Guitars

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daz Community Regular

daz

Posted
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The John Birch bass, on ebay (seen below. Go to ebay link for detailed pics) thats a beauty.



If i can derail this thread for one post (if thats ok with the Mods ?) and put this info re:[b] John Birch[/b] in this post. In case anyone does not know of whom we speak. [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Birch_(luthier)"] Here is John Birch's Wiki page [/url]its an interesting read.

A left handed John Birch Ric copy circa 1975

The info on this left hooker is a page long. so anyone wishing to read up on this bass can go [url="http://www.zimbio.com/Guitars/articles/4xeoFH-FzKn/1975+John+Birch+Left+Handed+Rickenbacker+Bass"]here.

[/url]
John Birch famous [b]Super Yob II [/b]made for Dave Hill of slade


(Below) A John Birch EB3 styled bass made in about 1976 for Jim Lea of Slade. This was made because the original
Gibson EB3 that Jim Lea was using was stolen from John Birch's workshop. ([url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showuser=9089"]Big_Stu [/url] knows much more about this John Birch stuff than i do. He knows the members of Slade and I belive he knew John Birch )




(EB3 style photos By John Diggins (Jaydee))

And lastly a pic and a few paragraphs on another John Birch Ric copy [url="http://kevmoore.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/first-bass-no2-beg-steal-or-borrow-but-never-sell-your-basses/"]here.[/url]
More John birch Slade guitars [url="http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/slade/2011/pages/gear.htm"]here.[/url]

Edited by daz
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Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

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Shafty thru-neck. Looks nice to me. Like the case. Surely it's not worth £595 though.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shaftesbury-4001-Replica-Bass-Guitar-not-Rickenbacker-/280654092983?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4158499ab7"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shaftesbury-4001-Rep...=item4158499ab7[/url]

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Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

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[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1188096' date='Apr 4 2011, 06:30 PM']Shafty thru-neck. Looks nice to me. Like the case. Surely it's not worth £595 though.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shaftesbury-4001-Replica-Bass-Guitar-not-Rickenbacker-/280654092983?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4158499ab7"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shaftesbury-4001-Rep...=item4158499ab7[/url][/quote]
A bit ambitious I think - I'd expect it to fetch closer to £400, maybe a bit more because it looks in great nick for its age, & still has its bridge cover, original case & truss tool.

J.

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Soloshchenko Enthusiast

Soloshchenko

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[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1188096' date='Apr 4 2011, 06:30 PM']Shafty thru-neck. Looks nice to me. Like the case. Surely it's not worth £595 though.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shaftesbury-4001-Replica-Bass-Guitar-not-Rickenbacker-/280654092983?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4158499ab7"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shaftesbury-4001-Rep...=item4158499ab7[/url][/quote]


Removed. How annoying. That was really quick.

Time for someone to set up a UK based Lawsuitbay where these ace instruments can be bought and sold without fear of a crusty old Rick employee pulling the plug. It's getting ridiculous and I wouldn't be surprised if he has one eye on this thread/site given how easy it comes up on a "Rickenfaker" google search.

Having now owned 2 lovely Fakers I can totally understand why Rickenbacker do this sort of thing. Quite a lot of those 70s companies proved it isn't the hardest thing in the world to copy this style of bass for relative peanuts.

Edited by Soloshchenko
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Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

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[quote name='Soloshchenko' post='1188402' date='Apr 4 2011, 09:57 PM']It's getting ridiculous and I wouldn't be surprised if he has one eye on this thread/site given how easy it comes up on a "Rickenfaker" google search.[/quote]
I've said this before: John Hall/Rickenbacker can think what they like about people flogging copies on BC - it's completely, 100% legal.

As in fact it is on Ebay. Rickenbacker have auctions closed down & legally pursue copies because it's a requirement of US trademark law, & if they don't they will lose the exclusive ownership of their designs - as has already happened to Fender & Gibson. Ebay comply because it's easier to appease companies like RIC than to run the risk of getting slapped with lawsuits themselves.

J.

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daz Community Regular

daz

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pic of the Shaftsbury semi acoustic from the above post. Starting price of £150 and located in [i]The Smoke[/i]. I have no connection with the seller, just thought it was a nice bass and deserved a pic so people here can see what its like.

Edited by daz
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Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

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[quote name='Soloshchenko' post='1188402' date='Apr 4 2011, 09:57 PM']Removed. How annoying. That was really quick.

Time for someone to set up a UK based Lawsuitbay where these ace instruments can be bought and sold without fear of a crusty old Rick employee pulling the plug. It's getting ridiculous and I wouldn't be surprised if he has one eye on this thread/site given how easy it comes up on a "Rickenfaker" google search.

Having now owned 2 lovely Fakers I can totally understand why Rickenbacker do this sort of thing. Quite a lot of those 70s companies proved it isn't the hardest thing in the world to copy this style of bass for relative peanuts.[/quote]

Didn't the listing actually mention the "R" word? I certainly don't have any problem with the company in question defending the use of its own trademark. For the same reason I don't like 'fakers with fake branding on them.

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Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

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[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1188986' date='Apr 5 2011, 01:38 PM']Didn't the listing actually mention the "R" word? I certainly don't have any problem with the company in question defending the use of its own trademark. For the same reason I don't like 'fakers with fake branding on them.[/quote]
The listing had "4001" in the title, which would have drawn the Evil Eye, if nowt else.

The fact is that Rickenbacker own the actual physical design of the 4001/4003 bass as a trademark, meaning that a picture of a copy is as much an infringement (under US law, of course) as using the brand name. This is why people who sell little Rick bass badges or t-shirts with a picture on get busted by RIC.

Personally I'm not too keen on any of the modern copies (although I wouldn't say no to a red/black Retrovibe) and have no problem at all with RIC taking action against them. The vintage MIJ ones are a different kettle of worms (and should probably be a different conversation!) because Rickenbacker International Corp, run by John Hall did not actually exist when they were made - and neither did their current registered trademarks. Arguably they've succeeded in keeping ownership of the designs where Fender & Gibson failed simply because their instruments were never as popular, so were never copied as much.

J.

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Soloshchenko Enthusiast

Soloshchenko

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[quote name='Johnston' post='1190908' date='Apr 6 2011, 07:46 PM']Let me know how you get on.

There was one near me for sale but she was looking too much IMO. I'm going in again next week if she still has it I was going to try and talk her down to flip it .

The ads going walkies on ebay will hopefully help my case no doubt she follows the bay. Can't get rid Ric gets them pulled nudge nudge.[/quote]

I got me Gherson in a similar fashion. Worth saving the names of sellers and messaging them once they get pulled. I was lucky the guy posted on here or I'd have lost it. Honestly, it feels like we're buying something illegal/dangerous! :)

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RickIronWitch Apprentice

RickIronWitch

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[quote name='Bassassin' post='1192479' date='Apr 8 2011, 01:45 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hondo-2-bass-guitar-Fireglo-stereo-like-Shaftesbury-/250801254838"]And the award for the most hilariously overhyped slab of Korean plywood goes to...[/url] :)

J.[/quote]


I think this is the one I was looking into. I emailed him and the reserve was £450. He tried to hustle me a little with the I have about 5 people interested in this and it's worth alot more than the reserve.

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Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

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Here's a project - by the sounds it needs a new truss rod & the fingerboard re-attaching properly:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110672949044"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110672949044[/url]

It will get pulled so anyone interested should drop him a note. It's probably originally been a Shaftesbury or Cimar - with the work it needs though it shouldn't be too dear - £200ish maybe.

J.

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Soloshchenko Enthusiast

Soloshchenko

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[quote name='karlfer' post='1195019' date='Apr 10 2011, 08:29 PM']Don't know if anybody has clocked this one.




[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110672355633&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url][/quote]


Looks great that one. I love them in black and it's a shame you don't see more Jet Glow copies.

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Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

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[quote name='karlfer' post='1195019' date='Apr 10 2011, 08:29 PM']Don't know if anybody has clocked this one.
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110672355633&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url][/quote]
Total stunner - that's a Yamaki, this is only the 3rd one of these I've seen, in fact they've only started turning up in the last year or so.

Apart from the Hi-Gain type neck pup these are closely based on the pre-'73 4001, with checker binding and gorgeous crushed pearl full-width inlays. I thought I'd got over my 'Faker gas but oh no... :)

J.

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