Nice selection of Ricks at Rudy's

[sloop_john_b]

Went to Rudy's yesterday on 48th St. to try some high-end amps, and was surprised to find a great selection of Ricks:

620JG, a 620/12MB, a 350v63JG, a 330FG, a 360JG, a 381v69MG, and a 381/12v69MG.

This was the first time I had seen a 620 and a 350 in person, and I was totally wowed by them both! Major GAS pains. IN fact, I was never really a fan of the 620 before until now - seeing it in person is a totally different experience.

[sloop_john_b]

There was also a 4001c64FG there, which blew me away. Played/sounded amazing. Much different then my 4003.

[eggman]

John,

I, too was pleasantly surprised by the little 620! I saw a used 620/12 here in Shreveport, La., one afternoon and played it for 45 minutes!
It's JG and was an absolute BALL for playing all those old tunes. Of course I bought it and enjoy it about one evening a week. Under-rated guitar, the 620.

Eggman

[brammy]

John... check out The Guitar Center on (14th st bet 5th and 6th I think). The had some Rics there and also an interesting collection of Invasions era guitars basses and drums.

[sloop_john_b]

Really? I was there pretty recently, Kent, and saw no Ricks, not even in the vintage room. I did play a very cool Kay though.

[heavypet]

Rickenbacker has recently discontinued approval of Guitar Center as an official Rick retailer.
So there won't be any new ones at any GC's anymore. (might still be some used/collectibles, though?)

[sloop_john_b]

Glenn, you're right. Whatever Ricks GC has are used ones.

[jingle_jangle]

If you think the 620 is kool, the 660 will flatten you as far as looks. Vintage toasters, though...

[stubby]

Left-overs eh. Think GC will put 'em in a bin and sell them at about $129.39/axe? You know, like an old Kool and the Gang or K-Tel CDs? I don't know GC at all (we don't have any in Canada, I think) but from what I've heard on this forum, this might be possible?

[heavypet]

I *think* that GC has auctioned off any existing stock of new Rics. I have seen GC auctions on eBay, even. I have a wee suspicion that they were indeed impressed upon to liquidate new stock right quick, but I doubt they had super-blowout specials. They went to public auction to get as much as they could out of the sweet guitars.
[EDIT: ^^ That's my suspicion. I'm not in-the-know.]

I wonder if Rickenbacker gave them a buyback option as well?

OTOH, I don't think GC had gazillions of them in stock even when they were authorized. I was talking to an employee there a month ago at the San Jose store, and he said [paraphrase] "we get one or two [of the basses] in store now and again, but they're gone pretty quickly."

[stubby]

When I was in Steve's Music in Toronto a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that they had three Rickenbacker guitars in stock the last time I was in (maybe a month or two before that). I was amp shopping so I asked him where they were as I would've liked to have tried them out through the amps I was looking at. He looked at me and laughed, "You think they stay here that long?" And he was maybe 22!! How do you get so wise, so young?

[sloop_john_b]

Paul, i've a 660 (Blueburst) on order. I have never seen one in person however. I imagine that it'll be even nicer then the 620 I saw, which will be hard to top.

[jingle_jangle]

Oh, yes. Were it mine, I'd swap the gold guards for a soft silver color.

[sloop_john_b]

I've heard your opinion on the subject of gold vs. silver on BBR, and it's something i'm taking into great consideration. But who knows when i'll even get the guitar? I'm not holding my breath for delivery this year.

[jingle_jangle]

Well, John, whenever you get it, your breath will be taken away, so take a deep one before opening the case!