"Rare" - overused or not?

[NFB-418]

I frequently see evil-Bay and CL ads with the word "rare" in them, usually describing a model or a color that isn't rare. I honestly saw a 4003 JG listed as such. So, my questions are: Do you think certain sellers are using the word too frequently and without merit? And, which models/colors are truly rare?

I would say the Susanna Hoffs model, the Blue Boys, and the Montezuma Browns are rare. But these models show up from time-to-time, usually with a hefty price tag. But, I've haven't seen a 2060 for sale in years, so I would consider that a rare model, even though it's not as sought after. I'm certain the Ric historians, who are way more knowledgable on this subject than I, will be able to provide some enlightening information.

[collin]

Sure, yeah.

Rare can mean two things though:

-they didn't make many of them, so there aren't many around period.

-many were made, but it is rare to see one listed for sale.


The only thing that bugs me more than that is using the word "vintage" to describe gear made, like, in the 1980s. There is no "official" 25 year rule or anything.

[doctorwho]

Overall, "rare" and "collectible" are very often misused on those websites. I think that the sellers are just hyping the items.

[wittyair]

I think it comes down to common sense. A fireglo 330 simply isn't rare, nor is a jetglo 360.....pretty
much any model under current production is not rare. But......when's the last time you've seen a nice
walnut guitar for sale, or an autumnglo, or a 650E or F, or a Sea Green anything........now we're talking rare.

[jimk]

Playing Devil's Advocate here; rare might be justified in total Rickenbacker production vs. total Fender or Gibson production. In other words there are simply more Les Pauls and Strats and copies thereof, out there than there are 330 Fireglo Ricks.

OK....I don't buy my own argument, either. But it was fun to play Devil's Advocate.
JimK

[cjj]

The only thing that bugs me more than that is using the word "vintage" to describe gear made, like, in the 1980s. There is no "official" 25 year rule or anything.

Yeah, by that measure, I must be an antique!

I think almost all of it is just marketing hype, and it's getting so over used anymore that these terms are beginning to have no meaning - at least on ebay...

[fluffy]

The one that gets me is the whole "Vintage" craze. I mean remember 10-15 years ago when you could go to a Pawn Shop and pick up a (then) 15 year old Les Paul or Tele for just a few hundred bucks... even Ricks were not all that crazy in the $$$ department.. but then something happened .. somebody decided that the term VINTAGE was the hip new thing for old stuff .... C'mon your Airline guitar is cool and all, and yeah Jack White plays one but GET REAL!!!!! it was maybe $200.00 and purchased from Montomery Wards.. is it REALLY worth $3000.00 now?!?!?and a $700.00 Teisco?!?!? I hold ebay directly responsible
ahhh thank you ! that felt good I've been meaning to get that off my chest for a while

[jimk]

I remember when "vintage" applied only to wines.
JimK

[robbo63]

The one that gets me is the whole "Vintage" craze. I mean remember 10-15 years ago when you could go to a Pawn Shop and pick up a (then) 15 year old Les Paul or Tele for just a few hundred bucks... even Ricks were not all that crazy in the $$$ department.. but then something happened .. somebody decided that the term VINTAGE was the hip new thing for old stuff .... C'mon your Airline guitar is cool and all, and yeah Jack White plays one but GET REAL!!!!! it was maybe $200.00 and purchased from Montomery Wards.. is it REALLY worth $3000.00 now?!?!?and a $700.00 Teisco?!?!? I hold ebay directly responsible
ahhh thank you ! that felt good I've been meaning to get that off my chest for a while

I agree that eBay shares a lot of responsibility, but not as in they did something wrong; rather, that they opened up a marketplace to many more buyers and sellers. Hard to get that old Airline for $50, which is what you use to pay at a flea market or garage sale, when eBay puts the owner in touch with lots of competing buyers who, due to perceived popularity of the item, are willing to lay out more cash. I started following Harmonys and DeArmond pickups about 4 years ago, and watched as their prices took off. Some of the Harmonys seem cool, but I remember having one archtop and a similar Silvertone archtop that were wallhangers and worthless as musical instruments. Too bad I trashed them, considering what people will pay today!

I've also been seeing the "vintage" price hike occurring in bicycles in my local Craigslist, where, because old 3-speeds are now hip, people think an old Free Spirit sold by Sears should bring them $200. People will use whatever marketing technique they can if they think it will profit them. Yes, "rare" is over-used, but I haven't seen it applied so much to Rickenbackers on eBay as I have on other items.

[NFB-418]

Playing Devil's Advocate here; rare might be justified in total Rickenbacker production vs. total Fender or Gibson production. In other words there are simply more Les Pauls and Strats and copies thereof, out there than there are 330 Fireglo Ricks.

OK....I don't buy my own argument, either. But it was fun to play Devil's Advocate.
JimK

I actually agree on a certain level because some models are difficult to get or have been discontinued. Hence, I would consider those rare. But, what I don't go for is when sellers try to play up the backlog hype and use the "it will take you 2 or more yrs to get this model from Ric" argument. You can, for the most part, get any currently produced Ric model new from a dealer if you do enough research. And then there are resources like this forum. Even though I'm new and have never purchased from a forumite, I get the sense that everyone here takes great care of their instruments and, if it came to buying one, I'm sure I would get a fair price.

[fluffy]

RARE!!!!! Jetglo 650C with UTRA RARE old style ABM bridge .. your chance to own this super rare discontinued model!!!! I don't really want to sell it, but I'll take $4000.00 but only so I can buy a 381V69

[JakeK]

If it's not in production, it's rare. That's how I see it.

Example:
Standard 330, FG/MG/JG, 24 fret, hi-gains - not rare, no matter what vintage
1993/12, '87 reissue - rare, that's why no-one who owns one will let it go. Less made of these than the original 1993/12

[doctorwho]

... But it was fun to play Devil's Advocate.
JimK

Better than playing Advil's Devotee ...

[jdogric12]

The 4002 on ebay right now is definitely rare. I don't think anyone can argue that!!!

[jps]

Add the words pristine and legendary to rare and vintage regarding overuse.