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Topic: Ever Wished YOU.....had a Rick Bakelite? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 3:08 pm |
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When I first discovered "what" Jerry Byrd was playing, back in the early 1950's, I made up my mind right then and there that I had to have one of those Bakelite thingys... called a Rickenbacher with the shiney metal plates on top.
I was repeatedly informed by my most trusted musician friends, that it would be next to impossible to ever find one as they had likely all turned to dust....and they were so old they likely wouldn't play anyway.
Thus I ordered and got my 1956 Bigsby and later, a dbl-8 1965 Rick.
Now, some 50 plus years later, that I have found and regularly play my Ricks......I'm one of the happiest steel guitar pickers in the world.
Did YOU...ever want to have Rick? Why didn't YOU ever get one; or, how long did you have to wait before you managed to find and acquire your first one? How much did that ONE cost you? Any regrets? |
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Danny Bates
From:
Fresno, CA. USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 3:30 pm
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I know where there are a couple of Rickenbacher "Ace's" for sale for $450 if anybody wants one.
I would love to have a pre-war Bakelite. Somebody sell me theirs ok?
I'm also a little afraid I would drop it. My Excel frypan dropped 4 feet and didn't even get a scratch.
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Ian McLatchie
From:
Sechelt, British Columbia
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 3:59 pm
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| Ray: I had a post-war Model B for a few years, but sold it a couple of years ago, and frankly didn't miss it much when it was gone. It had a hard, brittle sound, and the sustain was actually among the poorest of all the lap steels I've owned (blame that useless string-through tailpiece). I didn't - and won't - part with my Silver Hawaiian, though, and sold the post-war only to help finance the purchase of a "real" bakelite whenever one came along. One did last summer, one that I'd been hoping for a decade to get hold of. It's a 1935 or 1936, and is undoubtedly my favorite-ever lap steel, although the Silver Hawaiian is a close second. I love my Fenders and Gibsons, but everything about those pre-war Rickenbachers - the sound, the feel, the look of them - is magical. |
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Jim Vogan
From:
Ohio City, Ohio 45874
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 5:40 pm
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Ray
Would you beleive,,,that in my entire life,I have never played or even tried a Rickenbacker,,,shows you how dumb Iam. I knew
a few people years ago...older fellows who had a few for sale,,but my head was up my....
you know.
Good to see you posting....how are you? be in touch,,I have a bookcase for you.  |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 5:52 pm
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I'm still hoping to find one before you and Rick Aiello get it first, Ray ... 
I've wanted one ever since I saw (and heard!) David Lindley playing this strange little guitar with Jackson Browne in '74 or '75. I almost bought one a few years ago, but a little voice inside me said that I couldn't buy one until I learned to play one. This year I finally quit procrastinating and started playing ... so I'm watching the "market" closely. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 6:37 pm
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Hey Jody........ Well now, since I've played a triple-8 1950's Fender for many years, how is it that this ole Master Carver has not crossed over that line and at least given the Rick a trial run? No Curiosity??? Find one, give it a try and then report to me about the outcome. I think you'll be very surprised. I certainly was.
Russ.........you may have to look over your shoulder if you're considering a Rick purchase.....to be sure Rick boy is not also there but as for me, my last one arrived last week. Couldn't afford it but seeing this little beauty without a home, you know, it touched my heart......so now I'm proud to say it is a happy member of our little family. I'm going to have to go back to work to repair the dent in my pocket book! |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 7:23 pm
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Talk about a dented pocketbook ... I'm keeping my eye out for a Bakelite Rick, but a squareneck National tricone is at the top of my list.
Obviously, I'd like to own both -- along with a Weissenborn, of course. Does anyone have any tips on telling your kids that you've spent their college money?  |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 7:24 pm
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Well since y'all are talkin' Ricky purchases .... I put my wife through undergraduate, medical school and residency ...
She said I could either go to Hawaii or buy the guitars I always wanted ... so I went from 3 to 10 in the last six months. 
I go after ones that need help ... broken plates ... missing tuners .... factory test units ...
I love those nice ladys and their antique shops ... the ones from music stores or those guys who buy one week and sell the next ... I avoid.
I'll leave the "Minties" to Ray ... and I never go after anything that has been ANNOUNCED on the forum. 
I pretty much reached my limit though ... or should I say my wifes ....Ha, Ha ,,, so feel free to "Go for Broke".
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 7 Oct 2002 10:38 pm
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Hey Russ! I picked one up at GuitarVille Music Shoppe in your area. At that time, he had several and said they came in all the time. Of course, eBay seems to have a steady supply. Most come into their system on the weekends and usually in clusters of two or three at a time, then, nothing for a couple of weeks.
And Rick, my ole buddy...... if another deal came along, would you really look the other way? I wonder...........hmmmm |
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mikey
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 10 Oct 2002 9:16 am
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Yup, and I bought a real early Bakelite, the kind everyone wants, string through, 1 1/2" horseshoe....and I...HATED it, unreliable and buzzed like crazy..traded it for a Fender Stringmaster, now, all is well, (I guess I'm a Fender kind of guy)
Mike |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2002 9:28 am
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I've got one of the "dreaded post-war" models, and it sounds great! I've compared it with a couple of pre-wars and only heard a little difference in tone.
Jason Lollar did a terrific job rewinding the pickup.
Bill |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2002 11:24 am
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I echo Bill Leff on the post war bakelite issue. Bill has the same post war model that I have. Both these guitars sound fantastic and play like a dream.
------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2002 3:50 pm
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| I love my T-logo also ... |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 10 Oct 2002 4:15 pm
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| I've got a near mint Bakellite with 1/2 pickups, white bakelite plates with white knobs. Probably built during the war with pre-war parts. It looks like it left the music store last thursday and has the proverbial "magic" tone but you need a light touch as the strings are closer to the fretboard than any other steel I've played. |
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