Saw some Rics today

[apollo11]

Today I took a trip to the House of Guitars in Rochester. They had a few Rics in stock, including a C64s and a 325C58. I could have walked out with the C64s for $1900. They advertise a 40% off everything sale, but all their prices are list prices, so they essentially bring the prices down to street price. For instance, there was a Sting P bass priced at $800 and change, whereas the street price is usually from $499 to $599. The 40% brings it to that price range. Actually, even with the 40% off, they are still higher prices than I am accustomed to at the local Buffalo-area stores. The C64s was priced right around $2900 and he said he’d let it go for $2000. After 10 seconds, he went to $1900, which is a fair price for the sanded model, and I’m sure he would have dropped a little more if he new I was really interested. I didn’t want him to get too carried away; if I let him, I might have been $1900 in debt right now. After seeing it in person, though, I really have a soft spot for the fireglo standard C64 and am glad that I have one on order.

It was my first trip to the H.O.G. in 6 or 7 years, and it is almost like a culture shock to go inside. The store has a real vibe to it; right away you know it is one-of-a-kind. The first thing you notice is how everything is displayed. They have all these valuable instruments in shelf after unpadded shelf, and a good majority of guitars are touching the guitar directly next to it. You see knobs resting against the back of another body, headstocks resting against headstocks, etc. In fact, to pick up a guitar, you have to be extremely careful, as it is almost guaranteed to be touching another guitar. There were two Hofner Cavern reissues next to the C64s, and they looked like Siamese twins they were so close, and the headstocks were touching. They were leaning against the support, with the back of the top Hofner resting against the top of the back Hofner, (wow, try to visualize that!) It was quite a trick to get the C64 and a Hofner out to look at, I’ll tell you. My goodness, I don’t keep my gear at home close enough to touch each other for fear of preventable damage. If they get dinged or bumped from normal use, I can somewhat deal with that, but not in a store when they are brand new. Oh well, that may be the charm of this store, and for cramming in dozens more than could normally fit, that is the cost they have to pay. It is an amazing store, and a lot of fun to see their unique inventory.

Overall, there were 10-12 Rics, mostly 330’s and 360’s. The 325C58 was a beauty; in person they are simply gorgeous. There was one mapleglo 360-style body with the checkerboard binding (not sure of the model, but it the one in the brochure. It was also really gorgeous in person.) There were no 600 series guitars, unfortunately, as I always love that style. There were two basses from what I saw, a jetglo 4003 and the C64s. There were no used Rics to be seen. Of course, they have guitars high, low, behind, so it is hard to notice everything.

When comparing all the different makes, the Rics certainly stand out on a pedestal. There is such a distinct class to each and every one of them, and all are works of art. It is always a pleasure to see a Rickenbacker in a store. To see one in person for sale is a rare occurrence, so it is always awesome when you do see one. Also, comparing side by side, which I have done many times, the Rics have the best quality control of all, in my opinion. The finishes are spectacular, and the craftsmanship is superb. They are all alone at the top in this department, in my opinion. If I had to pick close rivals for paint and finish, it would be Gretsch and Made In Japan Fenders. Without a doubt, though, Rickenbacker has them all beat!

Another thing they had on display was a 360 body, cut down the middle from headstock to heal, allowing for a nice cross-section of the upper, hollow side of the body. It really allows one to see the fine construction. It was quite cool to see, and even with its sawed-in-half condition, the workmanship was like no other. For the diehards out there, it was mapleglo! Find yourself 3 tuners and 3 strings, and ……..oh, never mind, the control panels and jack were missing.

Anybody looking for Vox bass cabinets and amps, they had 4 or 5 sets in varying degrees of condition, the best being in very good condition, cosmetically. They are cool, looking; pure Beatles.

I didn’t intend to be this long winded, but thought I’d share my trip with everybody.

[beatlefan]

No problem, Andrew.....thanks for sharing that with us....

I'm still on the fence as far as buying a C64/C64s...we shall see....

[sloop_john_b]

The C64's are nice but i'd like a 4001v68 more. Don't know if I should hold my breath on waiting for them to come out.

[ibmindless]

Sounds like you enjoyed the trip, Andrew; however, I have to offer that I'm not that fond of House of Guitars. I bought a small Gibson acoustic from them in 1968 or 1969 when they had a small store a couple of doors down from their current location. Over the years, I've bought a few guitars there as I usually make at least an annual trek to HOG. I find I'm more disappointed with each visit.

This past July, I really got tired of the mess they have and the lousy way they display their guitars. I was browsing through some archtops, but they were all packed in a cabinet that was at least 6 feet off the ground. And since the guitars were all leaning towards the back of the cabinet and since they were all leaning on each other, it was impossible to see what they had. When I asked someone for some help, their helpful response was, "What are you looking for?"

I explained that I merely wanted to see what they had in the way of archtops. The salesperson said, "Well, we've got a lot of them, whatever you want." I guess he didn't get the idea that I'd like to SEE them and try a couple.

I tried looking through some Taylor acoustics, but it ended in the same frustration. Also, I have always been concerned about the hot and dry conditions that many of their guitars are kept in. All in all, I feel like I'm picking through junk at a garage sale when I go in there.

Later, I examined a Hoppus Bass (for my son), but their price was WAY higher than any I had encountered, and they would barely discount the price. Meanwhile, down the road at Stutzman's Guitar Center, I found the same Hoppus Bass for a few hundred less than HOG's, and the service and conditions were much better.

And when my son went downstairs into the section where they have masses of CD's, records and t-shirts, a clerk offered an insult to my son's inquiry about an item. When I complained to one of the brother-owners, he seemed concerned, but not enough to take any corrective action.

Anyway, I suppose you probably weren't interested in a review, but I have to mention that I refuse to set foot in that place again. While they do have a large inventory, it's real hard to get a satisfying experience at House of Guitars.

[apollo11]

I tried to convey how unorganized the store was, but it didn't come through in my post. And, like you, Mark, it will probably be years before I go back. The way things are displayed makes you miss about 50% of the inventory, because you can't be bothered looking around everthing to see what is behind.

The mess you mention seems like just that...a mess. It feels like a flea market with $2000 guitars as their specialty,

It is fun to go to and see vintage Hofners, Gretsches, Gibsons, etc., but I'd buy somewhere else first, where the items are handled and displayed in a manner not to cause scratches and/or damage. Plus, I get turned off by pricing policies such as the one they use. It is just like a flea market---you have to ask what the price is, as the marked price is list, even on the used items. So, essentially, you can't even browse and contemplate a purchase without involving a salesperson.

[ibmindless]

Andy - you hit the nail on the head in your last paragraph. I'd love to play a few guitars there, but the entire layout is not conducive to browsing & playing. Even trying to buy strings is an ordeal as you have to squeeze into the corner and try to find what they have.

If you never tried it, you should give Stutzman's a try on W. Ridge Road. I bought a Guild there about 10+ years ago. You can browse through a real nice selection of acoustics without being hounded, bullsh*ted, or blasted away by loud posers. In fact, I rememeber leaving there with the new Guild when an old (70's) RIC 360MG caught my eye. I should've grabbed the RIC and tossed the Guild.

So, no RIC dealer around the Buffalo area?

[apollo11]

Mark,
Good tip on Stutzman's. I haven't heard of it, but I'm due to attend a Rochester Amerks game in a couple weeks, so I'll try to stop by the store.

There are a couple Ric dealers in the Buffalo area, but it is always fun to check out new stores. I really love to look at different places for used equipment. Oftentimes you find great deals in the used market. Rics are few and far between used---I've seen three used Rics locally in the last two years.

Thanks for the tip.