How Far Away Is Your Nearest Rickenbacker Dealer?

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 6:53 am

All of these posts beg the question: has the internet killed rick dealerships in actual stores? It seems strange that fewer and fewer shops stock ricks, yet production is maxed out. How does that work?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 6:03 pm

The vast majority of our product is not sold through the Internet. It's just that certain dealers do considerably more business than others and we also have a very healthy export business as well.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu May 08, 2003 1:59 pm

There's a GC about 5 minutes from my home (Sherman Oaks), 10 minutes further (Hollywood) and on about 10 minutes from my office. And a number of lesser known shops in between. They're pointless for looking at Rics. I have an idea, since the guitar that Lennon propelled the raw sound of the Beatles, and that Harrison and McGuinn used to expand the sound and boundries of rock have now become foo foo boutique objects d' art, why not open up little Rickenbacker boutiques! One can come in, by invitaion only of course, be attended to by tea ladies. One would be allowed to bring their surgically attached Bichon Frise, of course. Then the client would be asked to put their deposit on a guitar they'd never seen nor played, and wait over a half a year to see if they like it. Wait, it's almost like that now. Lennon must be rolling over in his urn!!! I NEED A 12 STRING. For live gigs and recording. From what I've read, the 660 wider neck would be quite suitable. I will probably never get to see how it feels or if I can coax the sounds I desire out of it, and if it is indeed suitable unless I ordered one and wait six months to know if I'm mistaken. I can try out the internet offerings, if they're in my state, and have some vacation time! Or maybe go to Japan and try them. Last time I was there I saw more than I'd ever seen here. When the boomer, '60's and '70's kids with they're discretionary income and nostalgia fade out, what happens? Ric starts making entry level Ryders again, or goes out of buisness? Meanwhile, I want a Rickenbacker or two with which I can do some living breathing gigs NOW, without the gamble of purchase/oops, not right for me. PLEASE put some selection in some stores. GC, Sherman Oaks, one hour ago had FOUR 360's 40 feet high on the wall, plus a raggedy used 620 even higher. PLEASE ALLOW US TO CHOOSE THE RIC THAT'S RIGHT FOR US (you know, actually feel it and hear it). PLEASE?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu May 08, 2003 2:04 pm

Wait! Maybe there are SO MANY used Rics on the web is because people do buy them relatively sight unseen only then to figure out it's not the guitar for them.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu May 08, 2003 2:28 pm

Jerry: Interesting hypothesis. I think it bears mentioning that what we see on the Internet represents about 25% of what goes on out there tops.

When collecting data and reading about anything I worry that the impression we get may not be truly representative of the general population. It is likely that what we see on eBay (while informative and impressive) may still be misleading and a drop in the bucket compared to the total market.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu May 08, 2003 4:15 pm

My point being a considerable representation of the Rickenbacker line is online, while, I only see 360's in stores. Why not in high traffic stores, a few examples of most models being offered by Rickenbacker, NOT FOR SALE, but for one's inspection. Then, if the propective buyer is interested, they would be free to place an order, assured by their sales "guide" (maybe a salesperson especially trained or versed in the finer points of Rickenbacker ownership) that because of the high standards at Rickenbacker, he or she is assured of recieving a guitar with an identical feel of the test unit.

I realize everyone's buying experience is unique.
My ranting represents only my personal experiences/impressions/hallucinations. My frustration stems from not being able even to see the model guitar in which I am interested.

360dave · Post by **360dave** » Thu May 08, 2003 10:10 pm

Jerry....give it up on all counts. It just ain't gonna happen. RIC instruments have ALWAYS been hard to find and a long wait after you order it since I became aware of them in 59'. They seem to have always had their production level 'rightsized' so as to avoid flooding the market....but then again, I am not sure that they could if they wanted to. The market for RIC instruments just isn't there. Most real musicians ain't gonna wait a year or more to get one and I dont' blame them. I have the one and only I am ever going to have, although I am interested in the Dakota...mainly because of it's size and apparently wider neck. The 360 I have still sounds good but is very difficult to play accurately due to the narrow and round fretboard. That's why it's been in it's case most of the last 43 years.
Another reason is their attitude on service....I had a very bad experience with them some years back. I am never going to be treated that way again by them.
Oh well, at least I know where I stand and that's worth something.
But I still like my 360...it's unique, warts and all. Over the years I have scared a few people with it and it's tone and visual appearance accounts for part of that.

Like the man said....."We can sell all we can make"

They could probably sell a lot more if.....

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Fri May 09, 2003 1:22 am

One thing that still amazes me is no matter how hard it is to find a Ric in store, every time you show up to a gig with one, people are after you to have a closer look! Some guitarist I've played with were so impressed with my instrument that they almost regretted their purchase of some other American made guitar!
Even to myself, when I traded my 330 for a 650 on the net, it was like throwing the dice. Was I going to regret my move??? Good thing I had this forum to help me take my decision, otherwise I would not have done it, even though I found the design of the 650 very attractive! Now I wouldn't go without it. "I'm in love with my guitar and I'm proud to show it to the world!"

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 09, 2003 3:08 am

Shamustwin: I agree that there is a wide range of models represented on eBay and fortunately for Rickenbacker enthusiasts this is indeed the case. Without the internet, most of us would not have the opportunity to see photos and hear sound bytes of these instruments without travelling extensively. Given the high demand and limited supply of Rickenbackers, the virtual experience is the next best thing and this situation is unlikely to change any time soon.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Fri May 09, 2003 7:29 am

The closest dealer to me is about forty miles distant (Decatur IL). Although they have a great tech, I've only ever seen one lonely 620 there, mounted at ceiling level. In fact when I had them perform nut surgery on my 4003 the owner told me that mine was the first turquoise Ric she had ever seen.

Personally, I like the boutique idea; the cases could be labeled with the shop of origin so as to maximize the snob appeal. Imagine, "Ric of Rodeo Drive" or "Frets Fifth Avenue".

blueflamerick · Post by **blueflamerick** » Fri May 09, 2003 11:19 am

Guitar Center about 5 miles away usually has at lese one guitar on hand, but I've never seen a bass there. I hoped they would have more, since my house is only about 1 mile away from the Rickenbacker factory.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Fri May 09, 2003 11:28 am

After all is said and done, I still want a 6 series 12 string, and a six string. I'd like the 12 now ideally, since now I'm recording. I don't mind waiting six months, being that that's the norm. But I have to try one before I buy one, and therefore I think I'll have one possibly in time to be buried with it, if I want a new one. I play out a lot (originals, in a three piece, lots of lead solos) and I'd love to be the guy in town who's showing the next generation it can be done. Maybe ebay's my only hope. I don't suppose Rickenbacker makes royalties off used ones. Pity. They'd make a fortune!

beatlenut · Post by **beatlenut** » Tue May 13, 2003 6:19 am

I need to amend my post. The store that is 2 hours away no longer sells Rickenbackers. Now my closest dealer is the Chicago area which is 2 1/2 hours away. I did find a private party 2 hours away, so I got to try before I bought (my first Ric).

musicfan37 · Post by **musicfan37** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 12:51 pm

The closest is about 40 minutes away. The only problem is they don't carry very many at a time. And they usually are only 360 or 360/12's. Sometimes a 4003.

big_g · Post by **big_g** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 4:56 pm

In Middle Tennesse, there has always been very few outlets for Ric's, a few say they do now, but I rarely see any guitars there, almost no basses.

When I was a young 'dude there was only one, Cotten Music. Corner is listed as a dealer now, but as far as basses, pretty much a joke. Sometimes Rock Block.

This area has always been dominated by the, "big 2". Other things trickle in.