I was watching the news today Owner of Maglite flashlights says they can't put made in USA on there product because of a law in California
I know this off topic but how does Rickenbacker do it ?

I am by no means a legal expert (and I live in Canada to boot), so take what follows with a grain of salt and maybe do your own research as well, but here goes:

Much of the US holds to a standard when it comes to being allowed to call a product "made in the USA". When it comes to sub-assemblies, parts sourcing and the making of the actual pieces that comprise the article there are standards that manufacturers must adhere to, but there is some leeway allowed, which is very sensible. The phrase which is bandied about is "substantial", as in "substantially made in the USA".

California, however, is like a totally different country when it comes to this. Seems there is a law in California requiring that not only must a product be "substantially" made in country, even the screws, nuts and bolts, solder and wiring must also be American in order to qualify for the "Made In USA" sticker. If it is found that the screws holding the mother board to the chassis came from Shanghai or Brazil AND can prove it, then the end purchaser has the right to sue, and has had since 2011. Fortunately, the State has at least allowed for a small (5%) portion of the finished product to be sourced outside the country. Here's the actual California legislation:

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces ... 20160SB633

And here is a site that attempts to explain what I've just said:

http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/state-law-co ... usa-label/

Mods (and Mssrs Hall)- apologies if those links are not allowed, but I thought they would explain the matter to the OP. Please feel free to chime in with Rickenbacker's position on the issue if you can.

_________________
Cheers,
RicVic
Canada's Wet Coast.

"We are all musician.."

I remember reading about this phenomenon over on the acoustic guitar forum saying that Martin guitars have had to stop putting "made in the USA" on there products because some parts/woods are outsourced from other countries.
Can't remember the details exactly about all materials having to be 100% from within the USA to qualify.
I know CTS and Switchcraft are USA products but where do they source there materials from?
Then you have wiring/solder etc and of course we all know where Schaller parts are made?

I'm no lawyer.

Are the "Made in USA" stickers and truss rod covers made in the USA? Hmm...

I remember reading something a while ago that said no, most stickers that say "Made in the USA" are not made in the USA.

TRCs are very much so made in the USA, what makes you think otherwise?

I read in a russian webmag that american dollars are secretely made in China.

Well, that is probably true..................

And american whisky in North-Korea. And I always thought that "Bourbon" was french.

About the truss rod covers. I have been seeing more and more Chickenbackers on Youtube. There are even ads for them. These have Rickenbacker truss rod covers. I wonder what John has to say about them ripping him off?