The Thomas Edison of Rickenbacher

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 May 2004 5:00 am

I try to keep my forum posts positive but this one has me really ticked off! It's come to my attention that some people have intimated that Rick Aiello's posts offering info about pickups, etc. are disingenuous because he's really just trying to sell pickups. I'll chalk this up to ignorance but a few stronger words come to mind. Get real!

The record exisits in the forum archives. Rick has generously shared his knowledge for several years. Who else has done the scientific anlysis of horseshoe pickups, waveforms, harmonics, vibrato, and on and on that Rick has? Frankly, who else has cared enough to do so? And get this - did he put it all in a self published book and charge you for it? No, he posted it here - for free. Public domain. As for selling pickups, he deserves to sell all he can. They are building a reputation solely on their own merits. Really, how many people involved in the steel guitar industry make much of a profit? Not many. Not Rick. So think again before you criticize this valued member of our community. To quote Stan Lee: 'Nuff said.
[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 28 May 2004 at 06:19 AM.]

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 28 May 2004 5:10 am

I would remind everyone that Rick has offered to re-gauss pickup magnets for anyone who will make a donation to the Steel Guitar Forum. In my case, he took a substantial amount of time polishing my "horseshoes," and was prepared to re-plate them if that didn't work -- at no charge.

If Rick's motivation is selling more pickups, he sure could use some advice about how to do business.

Thanks for all your contributions, Rick. Even if I can't understand 50% of what you're talking about!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 May 2004 5:12 am

It's hard to imagine any kind inference to this sort of thing.

Rick has devoted himself, his time, energy, enthusiasm, and valuable knowledge to the instrument that we all love. It sure would be a major set back if we didn't have everything that he's done for us.

"Mag'in for b0b"......disingenous? GET REAL! nuff said

<pre>hey Andy, what does disingenous mean anyhow?</pre>

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 May 2004 5:17 am

Can't spell when steam's coming out of my ears. Make that dis·in·gen·u·ous ...
not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating.

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 28 May 2004 6:08 am

Rumor has it that Rick Aiello is financing his beachfront villa in Hawaii through the sale of horseshoe pickups. I also heard that McDonalds wants to include his pickups with their Happy Meals. Britney Spears was recently spotted leaving Rick Aiello's house in the wee hours of the morning ...

He's getting rich off of us! He's out for world domination!

Come on... give me a break. Some folks just don't realize how small of a group we are. Do you really think the world knows or cares about the steel guitar, let alone a Rickenbacker 1930's reissue Horseshoe Pickup with correct gauss readings?

Rick is an honest guy who has a true passion for the instrument and it's music. If he makes a few bucks (and I emphasize "few") selling his product, then more power to him. He is a great asset to our very tiny community.

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 28 May 2004 at 07:10 AM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 May 2004 6:24 am

Britney Spears was recently spotted leaving Rick Aiello's house in the wee hours of the morning ...

And she told me that she was going straight home! That's it....I'm done with her and I'm tossing her wonder bras out too!

<pre>talk about pick ups!</pre>

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 May 2004 6:31 am

We've seen Howard play steel in many kinds of get-ups. Can a wonder bra be far behind?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 May 2004 6:34 am

Well, I do have a "crossover"....

Anyhow, what Rick has accomplished, and key word is "accomplished" and still accomplishing, is in the same vein as those before him who created and pioneered the steels that we hold in such high regard. [This message was edited by HowardR on 28 May 2004 at 07:42 AM.]

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 28 May 2004 6:38 am

Usually I'm a very peaceful person, but reading something like this make me wanna confront whoever said that with my 197cm's and 110kg's!!

Steinar

------------------
www.gregertsen.com

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 28 May 2004 6:46 am

Although Andy's first post says it all IMO, here's my 2¢ worth: Rick is a good, up-front guy, and an amazing Ricky guru at that. He's been extremely generous to me with his time, answering my many recent newbie questions about Rickys and pups, and at no time whatsoever has there been any "angle" in our communications. Like Andy said above, I, too, try to keep my posts positive, but I have to say that anyone who thinks that Rick's many helpful posts are in any way disingenuous-- well, they need to re-think that one!

Thanks for all your contributions, Rick. Even if I can't understand 50% of what you're talking about!

You're lucky, Russ-- I can only understand about 25%-- and that's with my tin-foil helmet on!
~~~~~ edited to add the quote ~~~~~
~~~~~ edited 2nd time to qet quote formatting correct ~~~~~
[This message was edited by John Pelz on 28 May 2004 at 07:53 AM.][This message was edited by John Pelz on 28 May 2004 at 07:55 AM.]

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 28 May 2004 7:13 am

Rick is a great guy!! He's helped me out a bunch of times with guitars, music, electronic stuff, you name it. The guy's heart is good as gold, and so is his love for steel guitar. ANYONE making a derogatory statement about him would be making one out of ignorance. We are blessed to have his knowledge and insight here...he is a pillar of the forum and I'm proud to call him my friend.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 May 2004 7:26 am

and I'm proud to call him collect!

[This message was edited by HowardR on 28 May 2004 at 08:27 AM.]

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 28 May 2004 7:52 am

Howard, on behalf of Rick, I award you a special 300-gauss RIMSHOT!

Donald Ruetenik · Post by **Donald Ruetenik** » 28 May 2004 9:25 am

I always read Mr. Aiello's posts on the Forum. Frequently more than once. It would appear that this true Rocket Scientist has fulfillment in many areas beyond the study of guitar pickups and is not just happy to, but enthusiastic to shares his research and acquired knowledge.

From our early memories of schooling we have examples of exceptional teachers that were particularly adept at imparting knowledge by making the esoteric interesting. Rick could certainly Quarterback in that league.

One must be aware that those on the 'cutting edge' always have petty detractors usually borne of secret admiration and uncontrollable jealousy.

If Rick is accused of 'just trying to sell pickups' then put me down as having been sold.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 28 May 2004 9:31 am

Come on, it doesn't get any better than Rick Aiello.

Rick, keep "keepin' it real!"

Bill

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 28 May 2004 9:34 am

Rick knows who his friends are.

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 28 May 2004 10:15 am

I would prefer to think that anyone who questions Rick's motives is doing so out of not being familiar with him, and drawing the wrong conclusions from his enthusiasm about his magnets.

Otherwise, it looks like they had better stay the hell out of Arendal, Norway. (If you don't speak Norwegian, you probably don't know that "Steinar Gregertsen" means "the Norse god of retribution." In English it translates to "outside linebacker.")

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 28 May 2004 10:40 am

I think everything that needs to be said has been said here, but I just want to throw in my support for Rick.

Whoever made the disparaging remark probably also believes the fluoridation of water is a Communist plot to rob them of their fertility.

Hoorah for Rick Aiello and all that he is doing for Rickenbacher enthusiasts. I eagerly read his forum posts. They are full of juicy goodness.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 May 2004 10:48 am

I think everything that needs to be said has been said here

Yeah. I'm running out of jokes and I'm even getting sick of myself!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 May 2004 10:55 am

Raising those kids, becoming the worlds leading expert on Rickenbacher lap steel electronics and he still finds time to star in "Lobster Farm" ... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0014519/

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 28 May 2004 12:05 pm

I have always loved reading Rick's analysis of why these pickups are so unique in sound and find his and Jason Lollar's deep study of these devices revealing and sensible.

However I'm not sure its a good idea to expose Howard to these strong magnetic fields.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 28 May 2004 12:31 pm

Although Danny is the "splittin' image" of my uncle, can't say for sure if he's "family".

But folks aways ask why my three children ... Ellie Jo, Emmie Jo and Dusty Joe ... all share a common middle name.

Their paternal grandparents joke and say its a "Petticoat Junction" thing ... they aren't to proud of our real Uncle Joe...

Maybe I'll get toJoliet this year ... "kill two birds with one stone" ...

Sorry if my postings led some of y'all to think I have been "spamming" ... last thing I'd ever want to do is cast a negative shadow on Jason and his work ...

Terry Farmer · Post by **Terry Farmer** » 28 May 2004 12:56 pm

Rick's contributions are inumerable. (since we're throwing around fancy words) The technical and musical knowlege he's shared on this forum and his website is priceless.
5 gold stars for Rick and rasberries for knuckleheads!

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 28 May 2004 1:29 pm

Frank Nitti? Al Capone?? "Machine-gunned to death???"

I think the Norse God of Retribution sounds pretty softhearted compared to the Aiello family ...

Seriously Rick, you're about the last person who needs to apologize for what you post.

Jaime Miller · Post by **Jaime Miller** » 28 May 2004 1:51 pm

As a new guy to steel guitars and the forum, Rick was invaluable in getting my Rick chrome plates and magnets chromed and magnetized. I sent him the worst looking magnets and plates, and they came back looking great. I have no doubt the difference in sound from the pickup will be as Rick said. He let me know exactly what he was dong to the parts and had them back to me one week after he received them. He had every right in my mind to sell me new magnets due to the shape mine were in and the subject never came up. The price Rick charged to do this work shows me he is not trying to get rich doing this. To me it shows great commitment to a small group of people with a common interest. It does not get any better than that.

Thanks Rick.