Revive the Electro brand?

[steambyrd]

I made this comment initially in the RIC corporate site under the "big price jump" commentary:

I never want to see anything with "Rickenbacker" on the truss rod cover to be made anywhere but the USA, but this thread got me thinking about discontinued models and series. I wonder if there would be a market for "Electro" brand guitars from overseas in models such as the 230/250 and 430/450 series?

[blueflamerick]

I think a modernized 200/2000 series and a 430/450 would be very cool, but it would have to be made in the USA.

[sir_andrew_of_left_coast]

I wish the Electro TRC was available from the Boutique...

[grazioso]

it sure would help 610 610/12 450 450/12 4001s as an "electro" made in ??? under close control around $650 - $900 i'd buy them for my kids maybe even for myself..i would even opose some big updates on design. "close control" is the key word in that sentence for me. and that is something not easily achieved. + logistics is a big problem when you manufacture overseas. so i must sadly admit that this is not going to happen no matter how logical it seem to be.

[jdogric12]

Never happen.

1) It would weaken the brand. 2) They have enough work to keep them busy for several years as it is.

Save your ducats and get the real deal, you'll be glad you did.

[Mr. dB]

I think "Electro" could be useful as Ric's "Fender Squier" or "Epiphone" line. Let one of the better Japanese factories make a few classic Ric models, bring them in at an attractive price point. It would take some pressure off the 2-year delay for a guitar from Santa Ana, without diluting the quality of the main product line. Done right, this could be a win-win solution, and a smart business move.

Henry J. is still able to sell Gibson ES-335s even though there are Japanese and Korean Epi Sheratons. I think the same would apply here.

[jcreasy]

Agree with JDog.

JKC

[bosco64]

Agree with JDog.

JKC

+1

[tennis_nick]

I think in Rickenbackers case, making an "Epiphone" to their Gibson could only work in certain conditions.

1. MUCH stricter quality control than other import brands have, which pushes me to think a Japanese plant would be a best bet.

2. NOT making import 330's and 360's, instead making discontinued models and new models all together, a chance to have a cheaper 480, or a Combo 600/800. For a bass, nothing more than a 4000S

3. Parts that are in no way interchangeable with USA Rickenbacker (TRC with a different screw pattern, slightly scaled up in size pickups)

There's more. But I can't quite remember all of it.

As long as you TOTALLY eliminate the possibility of people "hiding" they Electro's as Rickenbackers or even given the slightest possibility of one being the other.... It's do-able

[jwr2]

I think Rickenbacker is very comfortable in the niche market they have. They can go on forever producing a handful of retro models designed in the 50s and not worry about introducing new models. The less they make the more people want them. Newer designs like the 4004, and 2000 series don't sell as well as the old retro stuff. If they cut production in half they could sell everything for twice what they charge now.

[jdogric12]

"it sure would help 610 610/12 450 450/12 4001s as an "electro" made in ??? under close control around $650 - $900 "

That's almost what the real ones go for!

[grazioso]

where?

[scott_s]

Agree with JDog.

JKC

+1

+1.

[paologregorio]

They wouldn't necessarily have to go overseas. There are some states that have significantly lower labor and overhead costs than CA. they could always be built there.

In any case, it's not going to happen. RIC is focused on building existing Ricks, and RIC has a huge backlog at the moment that they are working to deal with.

[tennis_nick]

I think in Rickenbackers case, making an "Epiphone" to their Gibson could only work in certain conditions.

1. MUCH stricter quality control than other import brands have, which pushes me to think a Japanese plant would be a best bet.

2. NOT making import 330's and 360's, instead making discontinued models and new models all together, a chance to have a cheaper 480, or a Combo 600/800. For a bass, nothing more than a 4000S

3. Parts that are in no way interchangeable with USA Rickenbacker (TRC with a different screw pattern, slightly scaled up in size pickups)

There's more. But I can't quite remember all of it.

As long as you TOTALLY eliminate the possibility of people "hiding" they Electro's as Rickenbackers or even given the slightest possibility of one being the other.... It's do-able

I thought of another...

No 12 strings