Rickenbacker Collectables

bbobb24 · Post by **bbobb24** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:04 am

I've been wondering, why do discontinued RIC models and finishes seem to go up in value more so than other non-RIC guitars? It seems that every guitar maker does the limited editions and such and that they sell on the used market for considerably less that the original price, then looking at some of the RIC limited editions shoot up in value.

Any thoughts on this?

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:18 am

There is an implied value that when the finish or model is discontinued that it is worth more because it is no longer being made. It is like supply and demand, there is a modified supply so there is a suggestion that the piece is worth more becaue it will NEVER be done again. The blackstar is a great example, or maybe the shadow bass.
Besides that, other companies churn out "limited editions" every couple of financial quarters whereas RIC does not, so the instruments that are made in a short run are truly limited. I can think of a number of examples, the Geddy Lee jazz bass is a great one. Initially, they were to be limited to a 2-3 run of basses and a new one can still be purchased in some places. This also creates a demand because it has someone's name on it. There is a Pete Townsend reissue on ebay right now that looks really nice. That model was discontinued in 1987 and there are only 250. There are hundreds of the Geddy jazz. Dig???

bbobb24 · Post by **bbobb24** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:29 am

Yep I dig, thanks for your input. I do know that companies like Fender and Gibson do limited issues of thousands which I'm sure kills the demand.

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:35 am

That's just so they can stay afloat. RIC only has the Lemmy model as a "limited edition" right now. Since they do them so rarely, it makes it fun to find one and you really get something that is unique. I can still walk into certain stores and see the same "specials" from the others hanging long after the RICs are gone. The demand is wiped out when there are tons of reissues that hit the stands and let's face it, Sam Ash and GC usually target those and then price crunch them a little so that they can sell a ton. When was the last time you saw a RIC "limited" at either of those places?

bbobb24 · Post by **bbobb24** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:52 am

The last time, I'm still waiting for the first time. The places around here only stock 4003's and 360's in the "standard" finishes. I would LOVE to walk into the local GC and see a Lemmy hanging on the wall, although I'm sure it wouldn't be hanging for long.

Would you think that the Limited finishes, like Monty Brown will increase in value in the years to come? I know if it did it wouldn't be like a signature model, but I'm just curious to your views.

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 4:35 am

I have seen more recent basses in discontinued colors at least hold their values. If a finish is only 2 yrs old, it is mostly used as a selling point for someone to imply greater value.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:38 am

Bbobb24 wrote:

"... companies like Fender and Gibson do limited issues of thousands which I'm sure kills the demand."

Even the truly limited edition Gibsons don't appreciate in value. My 1991 Les Paul 40th Anniversary is an example:

As I remember, there were only 200 of these made in 1991-1992 (the 1991s are anomolies because it was the 40th anniversary of 1952, not 1951!). One was on eBay recently and didn't sell at the minmum bid of $1650, which is less than the $1750 the dealers wanted three ot four years ago. There is another on eBay now with no minimum bid; it'll interesting to see what it winds up selling for.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:15 am

all of the fender signature basses are cheap knock offs ... they are not nearly as good as the american made fender basses ... go play a Geddy Lee signature model and then play an american made jazz bass ... hands down the american made bass is better ... in fact a lot of the mexican made jazz basses sound better than the Geddy model ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:21 am

all ric limited edition or signature models are first class instruments ... no far east knock offs ... worth collecting ... as are all rics ...

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:52 am

Other than the Tom Petty, all of Ric's limited editions offer something functionally different than the standard models. LP's and strats come in so many different configurations, standard, that a lot of their sig models don;t really offer anything exciting.

Secondly, there is basically no aftermarket for Rick-specific parts - it's a lot harder to customize them than it is to mod a strat or an LP. Thus, the Rick signatures command higher prices.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:49 pm

John (Wormdiet) wrote:

" ... Other than the Tom Petty, all of Ric's limited editions offer something functionally different than the standard models..."

Not to be nit-picking, but what different functionality did the 325JL offer over the 325v63?

skeeterbuck · Post by **skeeterbuck** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:09 am

It seems to me that almost all of the Rics are kinda limited editions. With the exceptions of the standard 330, 360 and 4001 the other models are not all that common. You hardly ever see the acoustics, 380 pz or any of the vintage reissues unless available unless you don't care what finish is on the guitar. And these are suppose to be standard production items. Not to mention the lower total production of Rics in general. Try even finding a Ric-o-sound box at other that well stocked specialty Ric dealer. So when they discontinue a color or model it makes it that much harder to find one. It also seems to me that some of the items discontinued is not because of falling demand.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:55 pm

Skeeterbuck: John Hall has noted that the factory prodction is at 100% these days.

That being said, if energy is being spent on a specific series (C, for example) this results in periods in which there is limited time for producing other models. Regretably, the result is a waiting period and as you note this outcome may not be due to a falling demand.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:24 pm

"Not to be nit-picking, but what different functionality did the 325JL offer over the 325v63?"

Well, ya got a point there. Another brilliant hypothesis slain by an ugly fact!

In my own defense, I will make the argument that both the JL and the v63 are more or less "signature" editions, and that one is an improved version of the other in terms of accuracy. So my original point stands, FWIW.

I'm not tremendously familiar with either 325 model - what are the differences and which one appeared first?

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:47 pm

The PT also offers nothing over a 1997 SPC.

The JL was a real stretch for RIC in terms of accuracy. The headstock, pickguard shape, and screw choices were all different on the JL. I say it was a stretch for RIC because it was the introduction of the RIC Deluxe tuner and the silver case.