I saw this story on PBS last night; made me optimistic about the future of American capitalism, and made me recall the efforts Rickenbacker has put in to offering guitars made from sustainable woods.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business ... 02-29.html

This is one big reason, of several, why I'm proud to support RIC over other companies that make instruments. It is pretty clear that they care about their environmental impact and aren't trying to skirt regulations, even in a state like California that is on the leading edge of those regulations.

I am very allergic to "Made in China" labels. I have this allergy for the past 7- 8 years .. at least. I'll do anything to find alternatives specially made in North America even if they cost significantly more. The only thing I buy without looking where it's made is my underwear. With more people like me we could make a difference in defending the North American interest.

I am not a big fan of Made In China either... partly because I have so many Chinese friends and family and I care about the Chinese people a great deal! While it is not true for all Chinese workers I think a significant number of them are the victims of what can only be termed human rights abuses, and I will end my comments at that.

Well, even the more expensive pairs of underwear, which I was fortunate enough to experience, are made somewhere overseas. It's not just "MIC" I'm worried about.

I don't think the concern expressed above is about things coming from "overseas," which of course has a different meaning depending on what country you're in. I think the concern is quality and work conditions. No one would think that buying an Italian suit or a British-made Vox or Marshall amplifier would have those issues.

So, how do you feel about all those Vox and Ampeg amps that are now being made in Vietnam?

What?

It's more the work conditions, such as Steve Jobs having the Chinese Apple Factory wake up all the workers just to change the iPad's screen (or whatever) from plastic to glass. Whenever you buy an Apple product, it's normally well built and clean. There are many quality Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean products, which include guitars, that are well built. The quality is not the debate (There are some American companies that put out crap too); it's the practice of making human beings work to the bone for pennies.

The nationality has nothing to do with the quality, either, so whether it's Italian or from purple people, it's going to be as well made as the American distributors want it to be.

Sorry to get off track.

What I like about Rickenbacker, besides being solely based in America and having good clean working conditions, is that they aren't afraid to use different wood to help the environment or follow legal regulations. What you end up with is a well made instrument, either way, and something that will last for generations.

Then I know I won't see you boys at Wal-Mart, will I?

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Four Rics and Counting!

You'll see me there, because I'm broke. All of my funds are going to food and a new Rickenbacker.