Rumblings Down Under

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:30 am

My local dealer just received a 360/12 FG today - out of the blue, one of 14 they have on order. Could it be that more are coming?

I've wondered about RIC shipments to Australia - whether they are random or perhaps once or twice a year with a range of stuff. There were quite a few available in January but very few now. That has led me to think that there will be a shipment later in the year, but if one's dribbled through now, great!!

From what I've been told by a couple of dealers, there are at least 30 Ricks on order down here and if more are on the way, the timing would be perfect!!

I've come over all tingly!!!!

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:57 am

I hope you get to play your Rickenbackers this weekend Howard.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:44 am

I will at some stage, Peter. Between shopping, goal umpiring, eating and drinking (big lunch on tomorrow), and posting here I'll find some time. Unfortunately, not through that AC30 I've spotted... damn!!

Hope you do!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:20 am

Howard, if your finished with all your duties this past Saturday (other than downing a few) hope all those future shipments are in your future! At least two or three. I feel now is a good time to buy.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:54 am

It is certainly an interesting time, Stan. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be receiving my inheritance today (yep, it's Sunday, but I'm having lunch with my cousin, who is one of the executors of my dear mother's will), so I'll be in serious buy mode thereafter.

The biggest problem is that the Rick dealers here know what they have on order, but absolutely no idea what's coming and when!! Frustrating for all concerned.

My local dealer is having an end of year sale (yesterday and today) so I hope some of the 'non-Rick' goodies that I've had my eye on (like a Gretsch Duo Jet) aren't sold. I certainly hope he doesn't sell the 4003FG he's got either!!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:05 pm

Well, there is certainly nothing wrong with a Gretsch Duo----but keep a little held out for a Rick rainy day, Howard.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:17 pm

Fret not (pun intended), Stan. It will be pouring Ricks. I'll be mortgage free with plenty to spare!! How does an initial budget of $25,000 for guitars and amps sound?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:03 pm

I'd have to say it sounds like plenty, Howard. Buy away by all means! (But obviously we will want to see everything).

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:18 pm

You will, Stan. A new camera is in the budget also!

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:56 pm

Ah the good old down under. The only Rick I've seen down here was mine.

I feel like I'm standing upside down.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:31 pm

So my old comment about Bank of Howard seems to be true, after all.

Line up, guys. We've been waiting so long for those '60s WBs!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:34 pm

You've got to get out more, Nate (like over here!!)

You can come over, play my 4003 (when I've got it) while my 16 (almost 17) year old son plays his lefty BC Rich. He's into heavy stuff - Rammstein, Metallica, s**t like that! I'll be the one in the background playing 12 bar blues in E or A. Haha!!

BTW, how are those Aunts in Oz??

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:38 pm

The bank will only have a few preferred customers, Paul. Family and me!!

I've budgetted for a trip to the US, BTW.

fenderslash · Post by **fenderslash** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:28 pm

Hi Howard. As a fellow Aussie with two Rics on order I really hope you're right about a shipment coming. Although I suspect it wouldn't come in "dribbles"; rather one big load. When I ordered the first one in January I was told it would be six to twelve months, and both the dealer and the importer has told me not to bother asking for updates because when they ask they just get ignored by Rickenbacker.

CMI (the importer) have told me a similar story to what you wrote above... they have heaps on order and then every so often out of the blue a shipment will turn up. Often guitars that were ordered later will turn up much sooner than guitars that were ordered much earlier.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:20 pm

Hi Carl, nice to hear from you. I've not even bothered contacting CMI - I'm told (as you have been) that you can get as much information out of dealers as you can them - virtually nothing. My assumption is that RIC do a production run on a model when they have sufficient orders to justify it and ship according to the old 'first in first out' principle, which is as it should be. I share your doubt that they would despatch overseas orders in dribs and drabs - not sound economics IMO. Let's just keep our fingers crossed, eh?

What I have done is ask my dealer to contact me as soon as anything arrives that has not been pre sold. First option, and all that