Nice article re: CNC machines on RIC recent news

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:30 pm

Dr. Gary, are you certified on a forklift, ir have a Purchasing background?

http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_item.asp?news_id=4&news=recent

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:52 pm

Thanks for looking out for me, John A.!

tennis_nick · Post by **tennis_nick** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:55 am

But wait a second... Ed Roman said CNC was bad! Wait a minute! Ed Roman is a douche! carry on...

gray · Post by **gray** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:00 am

But I love reading Ed's rants. They're classics! Not that long ago he had one about why to buy a good guitar and not a cheap one.

But anyway, to not drift off topic, I'm very interested in all these new gadgets as well as the one to make hardware in-house.

skeeterbuck · Post by **skeeterbuck** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 5:52 am

Why would any Rick lover want the backlog to disappear?

Sure, I would like to see the backlog reduced to 6 months or so, but I don't want it to go away completely.

The demand is what keeps up the value of our Ricks. I can't think of any other guitar that sells used for the same or more than you can buy them new.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:00 am

There will always be those who prefer vintage over new.
I think the backlog shrinking can only bring good things (except for the fact I'm still broke & won't have a year to save.).

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:26 am

I don't buy my Rics for resale value. Don't get me wrong, when I do sell I certainly appreciate it but, honestly, I could care less if my Laredos were only worth $100 on the open market......I love 'em. It would, however, be wonderful to order another Laredo or Cii and get it in a month or two (even less would be even better).

Plus if the backlog is under control then maybe a 5 string 4004 can make a return and, I would imagine, there are some other cool things in the wings that just can't happen now because of the backlog. The less backlog the better (IMO)

The used market will sort itself out. Also wouldn't it be great to add two Rics to your collection instead of one at the current used prices? It may turn to a "buyer's market" again.

mgrendel2 · Post by **mgrendel2** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:21 am

Hi, Maybe RIC will set up one of the new cnc machines to run lefties. Then us lefties will not have to wait so long for our instruments.

squid · Post by **squid** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:06 am

I've never seen a CNC machine in action, but they sure look impressive. How many pieces can such a machine spit out in, say, an hour?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:47 pm

The backorder is convenient - you order, put down a deposit, save, when you have enough, the guitar is ready.

A very consumer-friendly system!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 5:56 pm

Getting rid of the backlog would mean a couple positive things - more Ricks in musician's hands thus in the music we listen to, which is a nice sound. Also you could go to a dealer and see many to try and choose from. Worrying about the backlog disappearing and its effect on used Rick prices is negative energy.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:19 am

It would be fantastic to be able to walk into a larger dealer & try out a few different models!
Those of us in the backwaters won't ever have that option, but it's a nice thought.

And, as Brian has said, the 5 string going back into production, the new bridge design, maybe even more options to choose from are all possible by-products of having a small or no backlog.

epitreture · Post by **epitreture** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:46 am

The best possible result of reducing the backorder situation is the bringing out of new models or reissues of old ones such as the 480.

skeeterbuck · Post by **skeeterbuck** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:39 am

Having several Rick dealers in the greater Baltimore/Washington DC area, I have access to the 330, 360 and 650 models. It's the vintage and "C" series that are harder to come by.
I would think that a average player that is looking for their first Rick would be looking at one of these models. That is why these models are in constant demand by orders from the dealers.

I once spoke to one of my local dealers about the availability of Rick instruments and he told me that if he could obtain a "C" series model in 6 months, that would be great. Some players are not willing to wait 1 plus years for their guitar at arrive. Remember this is the generation of instant gratification. Most all of us will wait because we love our Ricks.

This reminds me of the saying, "Better be careful of what you wish for, because it may come true". IMHO a 6 month backlog is a good thing for all of us.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:09 am

I agree that 6 months would be quite reasonable and wouldn't turn away buyers. Maybe that would be the best of both worlds.