Is Ric Ever Going To Reproduce The 481?

[Clint]

Why not just spend the few hundred more and get a brand spanking new one?

Because it's a few hundred more!

[Tommy]

You don't let anyone else play your guitars then either?

They can only play my Epiphones.

[Tommy]

Because it's a few hundred more!

But for that few hundred more you get so much more (full warranty, no scratches, no dings, all case candy, 100% everything works...).

I was in the market for a Gibson SG. I saw a used one hanging on a wall in Sam Ash for $800. I found that insane. For just another two-fifty I can get a brand spanking new one. Used guitars I find are outrageously overpriced.

Obviously, the Ric 481 would have to bought used. That's why I am asking if Ric would ever re-introduce this model.

[Matt Clark]

You know, a new one of these (481 not a 480) might actually entice me to buy a brand new RIC and add a new one to my collect, since what they currently offer I'm not interested in buying. Although, I might immediately have to have the neck redone in bubingqa so it looks right.

[Tommy]

You know, a new one of these (481 not a 480) might actually entice me to buy a brand new RIC and add a new one to my collect, since what they currently offer I'm not interested in buying.

I agree.

There was a thread recently about the limited product line that Ric offers. We all were in favor of it, definitely so when you compare it to the outrageous number of offerings of Gibson or Fender. But the fact is, the 481 is a very different guitar than what is offered in the Ric stable. I do feel its non-traditional Rickenbacker nature would entice more buyers to Rickenbacker.

[Clint]

1. Getting warranty work is a pain. Besides, I would probably just do the work myself.
2. The guitar's going to get plenty of scratches and dings soon enough. If it doesn't, you're not using it correctly.
3. Case candy? Who cares?
4. Buying new gives you no guarantee that 100% everything works. And if it doesn't, see #1.
5. The price tag on a used guitar is just a suggestion of where to start your negotiations. If the shop won't deal, walk.

[jdogric12]

I won't buy used guitars. Just can't do it. Never have, never will.

I'd like to hear more about your thinking behind this statement.

Reasons why I will only buy new guitars:
- no dings
- no scratches
- full warranty
- all case candy
- price; most used guitars I see go for just a few hundred less than their new counterparts. Why not just spend the few hundred more and get a brand spanking new one?
- no problems with guitar; everything is expected to work 100% on new guitar
- various psychological/metaphysical/existential reasons:
a) I feel when I buy a guitar the wood itself has been grown for me. It's a destiny thing. That wood, that guitar has a pre-ordained destination - my hands.
b) a new guitar creates a very real physical and emotional connection, a used guitar will always be someone else's baby
c) somewhere in this world there is a new guitar sitting in a box in a storehouse just waiting for my hands to play it. My hands alone. That new guitar is waiting for me, calling out to me. The new guitar came into existence for my hands alone. A used guitar was meant for another person.

Oh, ok, good. I was worried you were some kind of nut.

[wim]

Well, you could always look at it from the other side too;
a tree died for your guitar, and you're not willing to share this.
It certainly must have been the tree's last and greatest wish to bring joy to as many as possible.

Oh boy.
this is sooo sad

[Tommy]

Look, some tree gave his life so Hendrix could bring his art to us all. Surely that tree deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame more than ABBA does.
There's great nobility in being a tree that will be hacked down so someone could have a new guitar.

Recently some tree did pass away so I could have a new 2011 Rickenbacker 330. And everytime I play my new Ric I think of that tree and say a silent "Thank you." I love that tree. He gave so much just so I could sloppily play the lick to "Day Tripper."

[360girl]

360-Girl:

That 480 you posted at Cream City Music looks to be in great shape !
That Brown color is not one we see too often, as usually its more of a Walnut shade.

Yes it is. I saw it in the flesh, just this past Wednesday, when I stopped off at Cream City Music (I live about 5 miles from the place, so, I occasionally hang out there). I got a chance to play the 481 they had in 2010. It was a nice guitar, but I still prefer the Ric semis!

[Tommy]

I got a chance to play the 481 they had in 2010. It was a nice guitar, but I still prefer the Ric semis!

Do you remember if the price of the 481 was reasonable or something that was laughably high?

[Grey]

Reasons why I will only buy new guitars:
- no dings
- no scratches
- full warranty
- all case candy
- price; most used guitars I see go for just a few hundred less than their new counterparts. Why not just spend the few hundred more and get a brand spanking new one?
- no problems with guitar; everything is expected to work 100% on new guitar
- various psychological/metaphysical/existential reasons:
a) I feel when I buy a guitar the wood itself has been grown for me. It's a destiny thing. That wood, that guitar has a pre-ordained destination - my hands.
b) a new guitar creates a very real physical and emotional connection, a used guitar will always be someone else's baby
c) somewhere in this world there is a new guitar sitting in a box in a storehouse just waiting for my hands to play it. My hands alone. That new guitar is waiting for me, calling out to me. The new guitar came into existence for my hands alone. A used guitar was meant for another person.

I'll keep playing my pre-owned, dinged, scratched up 480 with its beat up case. That "no emotional connection" quip about used guitars was insulting enough for me to type up an essay but I decided to refrain from it.

[360girl]

I got a chance to play the 481 they had in 2010. It was a nice guitar, but I still prefer the Ric semis!

Do you remember if the price of the 481 was reasonable or something that was laughably high?

One of the salesguys I've bought Gretsches from at Cream City Music, who also knows I play Rics (he also has a 330 or a 360), pestered me into trying it. I don't think it was completely stock, since it had what looked like teflon bridge saddles. I always have a hard time finding guitars on Cream City's website, but I found the sales ad they had in Vintage Guitar Magazine. The guy listed for the contact info., is the one who said "hey Ellen!, check this out! Take it for a spin!" I plugged it into a Marshall, and did my thing. Like I said in a previous post, it was OK, but didn't wow me like the Rick semis do. The price was $1500. A guy in Baraboo, WI, who's a Ric nut, and an acquaintance of mine on the Harmony Central electric guitar forum, bought it.

Here's the ad:

http://www.vintageguitar.com/free-class ... ad/?id=813


Here's a picture of the guitar:

[egosheep]

I have to agree with those who favor used guitars. Hey, want a 330 with X bracing, vintage wiring, thin neck, etc? Well good luck waiting around for a newer production model, but those features can be found in used guitars 7 days a week. In the case of early 80's guitars, sometimes for around $1000.

[8mileshigher]

I'll keep playing my pre-owned, dinged, scratched up 480 with its beat up case.

Erik --- very nice photo of your 480 ! !