Greetings Rickenbacker Internet Community!
So I just took delivery of my jetglo 4003, already played a show with it, and I could write 10 pages on the things I love about that bass. But that would be preaching to the choir I guess. However a subject that has been on my mind a lot lately is what to name my bass. I'm one of those who feels compelled to name inanimate objects that mean more to me than any inanimate object has a right. My new 4003 certainly falls into that category. (For what it's worth, I apply this philosophy to inanimate objects that I hate as well as love. For example my computer is named "$h!thead.") Up to this point the theme has been color related. My blue 1989 Modulus Graphite Bassstar is named "Old Blue" and my butterscotch blonde 1997 Fender P-Bass Special is named "Mello Yello." So along those lines I figured I'd give my Ric a name related to its gorgeous black finish. I started off with "Ancalagon the Black" (y'know from the Silmarillion. Any Tolkien nerds out there?) But that sounds too, I dunno, dweeby. Black Beauty? Nah too obvious, plus I'd get sued by Disney. Then I thought, "How about a play on the Rickenbacker name?" Ricky Ricardo, Baron von Rickenrocker, Slick Ric were all considered and rejected. I paused for a while on "Ric James B!tch." That name seemed appropos considering the great bass lines Rick came up with on his Ric. But I figured I'd have to slap someone everytime I said it and that could lead to trouble.
So I'm still without a name and I was wondering if there were others like me who feel the need to name their instrument. What do you call your Rickenbacker? Don't worry I won't use your name. As a matter a fact posting the name here guarantees that I personally won't use the name although I can't speak for others who might be less concerned with originality. Nonetheless I thought it would be fun to hear what pet names other players have given to their beloved Rickenbackers.
Best,
-BG

OK I name most of my instruments also, my 06 4001C64 is named Jenna after my oldest daughter, my 06 midblu 4003 is named Dawn Marie after my late wife, my 08 jetglo is named Gia after my dog Gianna, my 08 4004Cii is named Gabby after my grandaughter Gabriella, and my 07 jetglo 330 is named Bridget after a old friend of mine.

I just call them mine.

_________________
Throw that piece of firewood where it belongs and get yourself a Rickenbacker!

I've trimmed back to having only one Ric bass. I call it, my Ric. Not very imaginative, I know, but there it is. Btw, I didn't lose any Rics, just passed them on to my kids, early inheritance. They're both old enough to appreciate them, and also trustworthy.

"And what do you call that hairstyle?"
"Arthur."


JimK

"expensive"

2006 360 firego - Shotgun Red. I named it after a doll by the same name given to me when i was a child by my grandparents.

"There are those that call me ... Tim!"

Any Monty Python fans?

Whatever guitar I have with me at the time is called Johnny Guitar, after the Grant-Lee Phillips song. It could be the Ric or an acoustic or anything.

Sort of an Air Force One designation thing.

I don't usually name my RICS, but my V-63 I call Vicky....
after V-Ricky, and my 2006 Monty 4003 is just Monty.