Someone educate me on Rickenbacker...

[1968shelbyman]

I've probably owned over 200 Rick guitars since 1978 and still own 12 Rick guitars, mostly vintage pieces. However, I've not been active in the guitar market or in tune with the business strategies of the Rickenbacker company in the last 15 years as my family and career have been my focus.

I enjoy owning and playing Rick guitars. It seems that Rick prices have increased dramatically and disproportionately as compared to other manufacturers. The last Rick I purchased in 93” was a 360/12v64 for $800 out of VG Magazine. I’m getting a little more time to enjoy my guitars again recently and unfortunately, last week I added a Les Paul Custom (white/gold) and a Fender Strat NOS 60 (Fiesta Red) to my collection instead of another Rickenbacker due to availability and pricing.

Here's the questions.....Why does it take 15 months to get a new Rick guitar these days? (Is the San Jose facility still operating? If so, is it under staffed? Is there really that substantial of a demand for Ricks....I see a ton of them on eBay?? I’m especially surprised at the excessive pricing. Is it a circumstance where the Hall's are looking to drive up demand by controlling/limiting supply?

Thanks all.

[admin]

Hello John and welcome to the RickResource Forum.

There are a number of reasons for the waiting time for Rickenbackers. You will recall that RIC is an American guitar built in America. This business philosophy has been the mainstay RIC since the beginning. The very good news is that the same quality of instrument that you have become accustomed to in the past is still available as you consider new Rickenbacker purchases. While others will explain the underlying principles far better than I, it is evident that the Corportation is dancing as fast as it can with a complement of employees that is sustainable. My view is that there is no manipulation to drive up demand. There are only so many Rickenbackers that can be built in a day given the available resources and demand.

[jps]

Welcome, John!

Actually, RICs price increase was instituted to try and drive down demand as they have a very significant backlog they would like to reduce. Demand is there simply due to the popularity of Rickenbacker instruments.

BTW, RIC is in Santa Ana, not San José.

[collin]

Hi John, welcome to the forum!


John Hall himself frequents this board, so during the workweek, don't be surprised if he chimes in himself!

From what I understand, there was a huge surge in demand for Rics, after a relatively cool period, and there simply wasn't enough trained staff to manage the huge surge in demand. RIC (rightly IMO) refuses to hire less-than-qualified staff to crank out the guitars, so they have streamlined production as much as possible, and are working at 100% to get the backlog taken care of with the existing staff.

[grazioso]

Hello John and welcome to the RickResource Forum.

There are a number of reasons for the waiting time for Rickenbackers. You will recall that RIC is an American guitar built in America. This business philosophy has been the mainstay RIC since the beginning. The very good news is that the same quality of instrument that you have become accustomed to in the past is still available as you consider new Rickenbacker purchases. While others will explain the underlying principles far better than I, it is evident that the Corportation is dancing as fast as it can with a complement of employees that is sustainable. My view is that there is no manipulation to drive up demand. There are only so many Rickenbackers that can be built in a day given the available resources and demand.

this is mostly what we all have been told from the headquarters or RIC. i however feel that your view about demand and supply control is probably correct too. after all it is business they are doing there in southern california .....beside practicing patent and trademark law about magnetism and look and feel.

[beatlefreak]

Welcome to the forum. For a guitar that is still largely hand made in America, the current prices for new Rickenbackers is good value for the money.

[jwilli]

John, welcome to the Forum. Between you, me, Graham and some other members here, I think that we've owned all of them, lol. I'd love to know what models that you own or have owned thru the years.

[kiramdear]

I understood that one reason for the last big price increase was to counter foreign demand which had risen following the gradual but sure weakening of the dollar in world exchange. It seems everyone found them affordable but us

[johnallg]

I find it tiring hearing opinions posted here on the RIC model when there is no knowledge to back them up. It is always speculation and almost always 99.9% wrong.

[paologregorio]

I don't even think about it; I just enjoy the guitars I have and buy used if there's one I can't do without. I might order or buy a new JG 4003, but however long it takes I don't think it will bother me, as I'm a guitarist in the band I play in.

[admin]

I am with you Paul. We simply do the best we can to be understanding while we wait. In the meantime, our positive outlook makes the difference and offers others encouragement.

[jimk]

I am with you Paul. We simply do the best we can to be understanding while we wait. In the meantime, our positive outlook makes the difference and offers others encouragement.

Well said. Well said!

JimK

[whojamfan]

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

You just never know with Rickenbackers. I was in the market for a 4003FG, and for months I couldn't find one new anywhere, and then bam, I find a new 4003AFG and picked it up immediately. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to get a new one because it was a color of the year, and out of the blue this one pops up. It's even better that I got it at a great price before the increase. Like I said, even with the backlog, you just never know.

As far as the price increase goes, of course us consumers would never like for that to happen. While not liking it, I completely understand their price increase, and feel that they have not priced their instruments in the ridiculous range. Every few months I watch what my Gibsons go for if I bought them new and WOW, those prices are crazy! Also, Ricks seem to hold their resale value at 100% or more, and I can't think of any other brand that would be applicable to.

[antipodean]

I understood that one reason for the last big price increase was to counter foreign demand which had risen following the gradual but sure weakening of the dollar in world exchange. It seems everyone found them affordable but us

Not any more Kira... Rick prices went up 40% for Aussies in the last two months or so...... without anyone at RIC lifting a finger....

On a more positive note:

Welcome aboard John! RIC still makes great instruments to a "boutique" quality without the "boutique" price tag. I would guess the waiting list will evaporate with the current economic situation....

[johnhall]

Sorry, but we just had to shut down the San Jose factory in order to limit the market and drive demand up.

You know, all we do here is try to figure out how to make more guitars, faster, while keeping the quality high, if not improving it. There's no agenda, no manipulation; if it was possible to double production today, we'd do it. The company would make more money, I'd make more money and everyone would have their new guitar . . . end of story. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.

Yes, we did raise prices partly to try and bring demand and supply into some kind of equilibrium. The overseas currencies had risen so high against the dollar that foreign distributors were placing orders for hundreds of instruments at a time trying to lock in their orders for years to come. This just strangled production and making it difficult to get goods in the U.S. But the other part of it is been some rather large cost increases, especially for metals, finishes, insurance, and energy.