The perils of a search for a new Ric

[brianeharmonjr]

So, I'm planning on selling my '80 4001 JG and purchasing a new 4003. I've made many calls to Ric dealers all around the country looking for the ever elusive Ric-in-stock-er. I called Chicago Music Exchange, who has an incredibly impressive store front and selection, but they wanted $1995 for a new 4003 in fireglo, which I believe is about $200 over list price! Wow. I've also gotten prices as low as $1175 (but I'd have to wait who knows how long). I'm getting sick of calling every Ric dealer and getting the same answers. "We just sold our last one", "There are 3 guys coming in today to check it out, so you better jump on it", "They don't last more than 2 days", "Sometimes we have to wait 2 years for backorders", and the most common: "We don't have any in stock". I think I've decided that I'd just rather buy a gently used one from someone on the forum. So, anybody have any gently used recent 4003s not in jetglo?

[johnallg]

You can always watch this page - RIC updates it as the boxes leave the factory.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/recent_ship ... model=4003

[fatcat]

Musician's Fiend has them in Jetglo today .Any port in a storm.
AND, AMS Musical has a scratch'n dent which may be less expensive( I can't say cheap when talking Ric)

[johnallg]

Even a $100 Rick bass wouldn't be cheap - very low priced, maybe, but not cheap!

[brianeharmonjr]

Yeah, I've checked the recently shipped list. I've actually called about half of the shops on the list and not had positive results. Ric must have just finished a run of jetglo 4003s because that's what everybody has just received, if they haven't already sold them. I'm pretty much looking for anything but jetglo, so I took a break after about 2 hours of call with no positive results.

[johnallg]

Rainbow Music just 60 miles north of me where I got my first 2004 4003MG showed a MID and a JG shipped, but when I called a couple days ago they said they sold right off. Ricks are enjoying a resurgence with new artists and that makes it even more difficult to find one as more players want Rick instruments.

[ghs_boomer]

When i ordered my Jetglo 4003 from sam ash, the salesman said they had plenty of jg's in stock, that was last thursday.

[rickaddict]

I called Chicago Music Exchange, who has an incredibly impressive store front and selection, but they wanted $1995 for a new 4003 in fireglo, which I believe is about $200 over list price! Wow.

Yes, the CME is an incredibly impressive and beautiful store. But the question is...how did they get it?! I've heard at least 10 horror stories from people who have done business (or tried to do business) with the CME, and I have one of my own. Their former employees have confirmed the stories to me and tell me that they are standard operating procedure. They don't deserve your business.

Have you tried the regular (honest) dealers?

North Coast Music
Mike Parks (the-music-connection.com)
Chris Clayton (Pick of the Ricks)

or even:

Sam Ash
Musician's Friend

Somebody's gotta have something.

Anybody else have any good dealers to recommend?

[dlandau]

I just checked the shipping list and have seen Mapleglo's being shipped. In fact the store by me was listed as being shipped one. That was not listed on Friday. It had been ordered 20 months ago and the person who ordered it cancelled shortly after. I will have it maybe by Friday. Keep calling!

[rickaddict]

Nice!

We'll keep our fingers crossed!

[houblues]

Parker Music in Houston has three new 4003 Jetglos priced $400 under MF. I don't have any affiliation with them but their great salesman RJ helped me score my new 360/12 Fireglo so I thought I'd give him a plug. I didn't see any TOS that giving a plug violates but please just let me know if it does.

[johnallg]

Sounds like a buying opportunity for anyone looking for a 2007 4003. Thanks for the heads up, Patrick. We post availability all the time. And a belated welcome to the forums!

[VRICKY63]

Lark Street Music had a nice 4003FG at $1495. Dont know if it's still there but it is still showing on the website .

[heinpete]

That Lark Street Music 4003FG is from 1992, these series did not have the bulbous head stock, rather the nice slim one, but the body and cut away horns were enlarged that period.

[houblues]

Well then to elaborate, Parker Music in Houston has three new 4003 Jetglos priced at $1199 each. I got my 360/12 at a similarly silly price. If you call them, please do ask for RJ. When the 360 came in, he helped me with a return he didn't have to take that enabled me to get it. Their number is 281-820-0011. Please tell RJ I sent you so he knows I am returning the favor.

FWIW, our largest Ric dealer in town is Fuller's Vintage Guitar. They have at least six different Rics on the wall, but I forget which models (though at least one flavor of 325, a few 12 strings, and a 330 in blue, IIRC). The guy to ask for there is Eric.