I came across this YouTube channel and video by chance, but was interested enough to watch.
When watching this great video (on a pretty cool channel on YouTube), I had one of those moments where I felt like the dumbest person on earth.
They say the address of Rickenbacker factory, where it has been since inception, and still remains today, and not only is it only a few miles away from where I live, I have actually worked in a shop on the same street, and I never new they were there.
And to feel even really stupid, when I worked on that street in the early 90’s, I was really into playing music with others, and in a couple bands, but playing guitar rather then bass (only because my best friend already picked a bass, and was left handed, so we could not really swap with each other, otherwise, I would have chose bass as a first choice, but that is a different story, that I have probably already told).
this gives me a thought too. Once I get my next new knee and in a year or so when I am all rehabilitated and ready to go back to work, I may just make them a first stop when looking for a job.
I am a machinist and engineer by trade, but don’t see myself going back to that. Too boring if working in a shop, I am tired of sitting at a computer all day, and / or managing people, and traveling all the time. My kids are all grown (youngest turns 18 on March 3rd) and I don’t have a house, wife and 3 kids to support and raise up anymore. I will need income again, but rather have fun then work my ass off for as much money as I can earn, I rather work somewhere, doing something I want to do, so any job as a tech or mfg of guitars and basses sounds like a great new start. I have plenty of experience to bring, but lots to learn, I am humble and willing to learn, and start lower down the totem pole then where I have been before.
Fender is close, but farther. G&L is closer than Fender and was my other first option, but Rickenbacker is closest, who knew.
Hell, I would work a few weeks just to earn a new bass. There are a lot of other manufacturers within probably a 50 mile radius too, so lots of opportunity. As I get closer to working again, my mind seems to be more set on making or being part of the process of making basses and guitars rather then aerospace/medical/dental/automotive/toolanddie/widgets, etc…
This is a cool video for those of you that also did not know the history. I tell you, I was way off on where I thought Ricks came from.
BTW, in case you don’t know, which I didn’t, the Rickenbacker uses some serious outside the box engineering for pick ups and build. I never knew and always wondered.