Backlog comment

myfretless · Post by **myfretless** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:46 am

John Hall yesterday posted in the corporate forum that the current backlog for production was 400 days.

My recollection was that RIC was at about that or maybe 450 days when it was decided that the Color of the Year production would be stopped to work on the backlog.

So I posited the question that if cancelling the COY for one year only lowered the backlog about 50 days, are we looking at about another 8 years before we might expect a new Color of the Year.

Today, I notice the thread was deleted. Or I just can't find it. I hope I haven't said anything to offend. I did not mean to appear critical if that was how it was received. I merely wanted to have an idea whether we could expect a new COY anytime soon.

I would be both sad and happy to learn that the cancellation of the COY appears to have done little to eliminate the actual backlog of orders: sad because we would not likely see a new COY for a while and it's certainly fun to speculate and order a new COY; happy because that means RIC is doing exceedingly well and when demand his high, business is good for RIC.

To and and all who might be reading this, please be advised that I am very happy with RIC's production and I am very pleased with all my Rickenbacker guitars. Please keep up the good work. I know that many of us appreciate all the extra attention to detail that goes into each instrument. Thanks!

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:02 am

I've also heard John comment that even though RIC is making concessions to reduce their backlog (of which temporarily suspending the COY is but one), there are more people than ever trying to buy Rickenbackers. As a result, the concessions are not as effective as hoped, but at least they do keep the backlog from getting larger.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:22 am

Brad, your post is still there in the "Artists" section. No one took offense to it. However, I said "over 400" days, closer to about 480 days actually, and that's about the same as before.

Kris is correct that additional demand has consumed the capacity and as a result the backlog hasn't changed very much. However, the sequence of orders has recently favored shipments overseas, so there's more goods "over there" than here right now. Nevertheless, there are more capacity increases at hand and at some point we'll reach equilibrium.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:08 pm

Just keep picking out purty maple to make all those instruments with. Last year at the factory tour you seemed almost excited that planned steps to reduce the backlog were coming soon. Now with so many new artists using Ricks that hoped-for decrease in the backlog has not materialized, but I guess not having it increase is something (as it would have if the changes hadn't occured). It could be worse; no new orders and layoffs.

Just keep to your principles and the high level of quality you demand in your output.

480 days, that's 2 years of production days.... wow.

myfretless · Post by **myfretless** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:38 pm

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate all the excellent workmanship that is done. I'm happy that the demand is increasing causing greater production overall.

I'm also embarrassed that I forgot what section I had posted in. A thousand apologies. Actually, let's make that four thousand eighty apologies. Heh heh.

eric_b · Post by **eric_b** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:09 pm

Remember also that even though there is no COY for this year,we are still doing the AFG's and some leftover BBR's as well,so the actual workload has pretty much stayed the same. We won't really see the benefits of no COY till next year. We are however,making more instruments now,so there is progress.

nukebass · Post by **nukebass** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:00 pm

Great, mine is considered a "leftover" BBR

Hopefully the paint won't run out!

eric_b · Post by **eric_b** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:05 pm

Plenty of paint..No worries. We're saving the best ones for last.

jimk · Post by **jimk** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:14 pm

Looks like Jim Rhoads was about right. According to my calculations, the Brown Truck should arrive sometime the last quarter of 2008. I haven't been this excited since.....uh....I can't remember.

JimK

lyle_from_minneapolis · Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:38 pm

If y'all just keep working through the weekends you could cut down another 108 days out of each year. Come on then, crack the whip, the red light's on!

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:09 am

"We're saving the best ones for last."

Can't wait to see my 4004Cii Blueburst then!

Just wondering, anyone else order a 4004Cii from Mike Parks? His site shows 7 ordered/sold with at least one still available.

Hurray!

My 4003FL AFG is on the truck and will arrive today! It was ordered on 1/3/06 so it took about 20 months from order to delivery. Not bad at all, being the fretless isn't produced as frequently as other models. I actually thought it would take longer than that.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:57 am

Good for you man!!! Boy that worked out for the best didn't it?

Can I sell the 92 now???

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:58 am

Skipping work today, Tony?

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:08 am

Freaky huh, Jdog?

Sell the '92, you are killing me!

Mike Parks send me an email and said that he already shipped it!

Just waiting for BROWN......and waiting..........and waiting..............................and...............................waiting...................

Jeff:

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:37 pm

Waiting, but it is a whole lot shorter then the 20 months so far. But knowing its on the way will make it seem longer!

We expect pics and a review when it get there, sir!

Oh, and you have email concerning another matter.