Buying Without Trying

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 09, 2003 4:09 am

When I first decided that I wanted a Rickenbacker the greatest obstacle was obtaining information. Unable to play any instruments in my city I decided to search the net but the resources available at that time were limited. My interest in rickenbackers since the early 1960s and my desire to purchase an instrument led to the creation of alt.guitar.rickenbacker in 1997. Since that time the Rickenbacker Registration Page and The Rickenbacker Forum have led to the purchase of three Rickenbackers over the Internet. In each case the contacts with the sellers and myself was well researched and the outcome was more than satisfactory in all cases. So I am wondering, did you try before you bought?

beatlenut · Post by **beatlenut** » Fri May 09, 2003 4:33 am

Yes, I did try before I bought. I did a lot of research before which lead me to believe that a Rickenbacker can either be love or hate (probably too strong) and not much in between. I didn't want to spend $700 on a used 330 until I could try one out. As I stated in my first posts, my closest dealer is around 3 hours away. I was able to find a private party selling 2 hours away. The wife and I had a nice drive and I got to try one out with my Line 6 POD so I could see what it would sound like with MY gear (I use the POD thru the PA at church). For that amount of money, I needed to try ONE before I bought it. If I ever decide to buy another, I would now buy it since I know I am comfortable with what a Rickenbacker feels/sounds like.

robj · Post by **robj** » Fri May 09, 2003 4:54 am

I bought my 4004C without ever having seen (other than pictures) let alone played one. I had my local shop order it for me and because RIC happened to be making up a batch at the time received it in about two weeks, so I had a very positive experience.

I bought my 4004C-II online from Mike Parks who happened to have one in stock in the color I wanted. Buying from Mike was a great experience including after the sale follow up. If/when the 4004C-ii/5 becomes available I will definitely buy through Mike again.

cafeathers · Post by **cafeathers** » Fri May 09, 2003 5:09 am

Being a Left-Hander makes it much more difficult to just walk in someplace and try out what is hanging on the wall. 90% of the guitars I have had to be special ordered. My only Rick (Jetglo 370/12) is still in the special order phase with about 4-5 months to go.

Chet

grsnovi · Post by **grsnovi** » Fri May 09, 2003 5:33 am

I never had the "have to have a RIC" disease when I was younger. Over the years, I would try RIC 12 strings hanging in shops and NEVER played one that was well set-up and as a result never bought one - until three years ago. Played one at Elderly in MI that "spoke" to me, bought it, set it up myself. Then, last summer after coming out here, played a MG 370/12 that also spoke to me and I did the same with it.

I keep "trying" those darn "short neck" RICs but can't get past the size/feel thing

So, I never bought a RIC without trying.

I have purchased two Gretsches and both a Martin and Gibson acoustic via ordering one sight unseen and was very pleased with what I got when they showed up. These were purchased (new) from stores.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Fri May 09, 2003 6:07 am

Beatlenut's description of people's opinion of Rics reflects my own research into 4003s; it almost seems as if there are two different companies. The instruments are either a 10 or a 1, customer service is either great or insulting; there seems to be very little middle ground. In my own case I'd wanted a new Ric bass for twenty years and so decided to take a chance and order one from Musician's Friend (there are no dealers in my city). The first one had defective truss rods so was sent back. The second one had to have the nut altered before it was comfortable to play. The warranty is by definition partly expired unless you pick the guitar up the day it comes off the line (which Ric won't allow). My own experience leads me to suggest that anyone contemplating the purchase of a new Ric should without exception play the specific instrument and check the date of manufacture before buying.

I have purchased new Fenders and Gibsons unseen and have had good luck.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Fri May 09, 2003 6:59 am

Don't own one yet. I am *trying to try* all the ricks I can get my hands on. That's basically 330s, 360s, and the odd 4003.

I would pay someone good money to be able to sit down and really explore a 650D or a Laguna. For two reasons: 1) my main guitar is a 12 string takamine (nice guitar), so I'm used to the wider neck, and 2) I'd love to try a hum equipped rick. I'm not planning on finding either of those models in the flesh, so my first purchase will likely be a 330.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 09, 2003 7:15 am

Wormdiet: Why not let others know where you live. You may find someone close to you who is willing to invite you over for a jam and has the very Rickenbacker you are seeking.

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Fri May 09, 2003 2:26 pm

Lefty here too. Out of the 9 Ricks I own, I only purchased one of them from a retail store. That was actually through an ad in Vintage Guitar. The store happens to be fairly close to my house. All the others were purchased over the internet or by phone. I've never actually seen a new lefty Rick in a retail store.

philco · Post by **philco** » Fri May 09, 2003 4:12 pm

I purchased a 1975 P-Bass new and was not too satisfied. It sounded wonderful but there were issues with the neck and the quality was not up to earlier basses owned by other players. I sold it a couple of years later.

I bought a 650D from Rhoads Music in 2002. I am well pleased. I had to file the frets because of the unbound maple neck, but that was quick and fairly easy. My youngest brother is far more experienced with guitars than I am, and he likes it as well.

I bought a 1993 4004L from Chris's Music in the Denver area earlier this year. The Jetglo finish is excellent, but I have a neck issue to resolve. It plays OK, but the action is a bit high. The sound is great, and I saved enough to make taking the excess bow out of the neck near the heel well worth my time. The frets needed filing because of the unbound maple neck as well, but that is quick and easy for me to take care of.

I bought a Tacoma Chief from Ed Roman. The guitar is a jewel as far as sound, workmanship, and quality of materials are concerned. The action is really low, like an electric. It has no fancy bindings or inlays, but this guitar is about tone and feel. Never expected to get wood like that in a $600 guitar. Very unique design, and compact as well as extremely light. A real keeper.

I have a 650C on order from Mike Parks. It has vintage pickups and Fireglo finish and vintage case. I expect no problems, and it's due in a month or so............I hope.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Fri May 09, 2003 6:12 pm

I have bought (ordered) all of my Rics sight unseen and unheard. I never even played a Ric before I ordered my first one (a 360V64 JG). I played a '66 Tiger maple 340 (burgundy-glo) in the interim. I watched that guitar collect dust for years and never bought it! So my 360V64, 1997SPC/VB, and 650A were all amazing surprises. What a thrill when they each arrived.
I would have never bought the 340/12 MB or 340 DG if I had played them first.
Cheers, Noel
Phil, I love my Tacoma Chief too.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Tue May 13, 2003 1:34 am

I must agree with Beatlenut! I got to try my first 360 jetglo and loved it very much up until the neck started to bend. And of course, there wasn't anyone around in the music stores that would even get close to work on my guitar since they were all afraid of the two truss rods!!! That's when I started to hate my guitar and sold it. After ten years without a Ric, I saw a 330 in the store, tried it and fell in love again...and bought it. And about in the same time, (give or take a couple of years!!

), I discovered this forum! That's when I really regret my 360...Had I known that it was so easy to fix the neck, I would never had sold the 360!
Wich brings me to last year, when I discovered the existence of the 650S. I had to use this forum to ask many questions about this guitar since the chances to get close to one were nil! And I made the jump and traded my 330 for the 650S and found out that I had just put my hands on the greatest guitar that could happen to me! So, no matter what, I believe that it's a calculated risk to buy without trying...because you always find people to answer your thousands of questions...wich makes it safer! Dan

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue May 13, 2003 2:09 am

Dannyboy: I am glad it worked out for you Dan. Your comments illustrate that when we are able to get accurate information and support our view regarding any dilemma, Rickenbackers included, can completely change our perspective. I hope to see you on sailing on the Saguenay.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Tue May 13, 2003 1:33 pm

Of all the Ricks I've owned[used not counted here]and bought new, all except one I ordered sight unseen. All were just fine when I got them, and stayed fine with little or no maintenance, sae for polishing and restringing.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Tue May 13, 2003 1:47 pm

I would not hesitate ordering a RIC sight unseen. My first lefty RIC was purchased that way. However, I've been lucky enough to find two others hanging on the walls at local dealers.