2002 330 Mapleglo - Is this a good deal?

[drbrain]

Hey gang,

I have a chance to get a 2002 MapleGlo 330 for $1000 with original case and all case candy. Like new, hardly ever used. Is this worth the price?

Also what type of neck is on this model year?

Thanks for the advice,

Harry

[360girl]

Yeah, that sounds pretty good to me.

[kiramdear]

The neck is likely to be on the chubby side. But that's a smokin' price.

[doctorwho]

The neck is likely to be on the chubby side. But that's a smokin' price.

+1

[kiramdear]

I'd get it and, if the neck is not comfortable, trade it for another. You can't lose at that price.

[wim]

that's an excellent deal, don't worry

[Tommy]

a 2002 MapleGlo 330 for $1000 with original case and all case candy. Like new, hardly ever used. Is this worth the price?

I'm not sure that's a great deal.

You are paying $1,000 for a ten year old guitar. You can buy a brand new 2012 330 for just $400 more. And the new ones come with nicer fretboard figuring, a more accesible string gauge, and most important, adjustable pole pieces. And it's under warranty.

I never understand why someone would pay such a high price for a used (non-vintage) guitar. To me a ten year old guitar should start at 50% of the price of a new one and then you work your way down for dings, scratches, malfunctions. $1,000 for a ten year old guitar or $1,400 for a brand spanking new one is not much debate there. Just save for however many more months it takes and get a brand new one with the with the improved features and warranty.

[wim]

a 2002 MapleGlo 330 for $1000 with original case and all case candy. Like new, hardly ever used. Is this worth the price?

I'm not sure that's a great deal.

You are paying $1,000 for a ten year old guitar. You can buy a brand new 2012 330 for just $400 more. And the new ones come with nicer fretboard figuring, a more accesible string gauge, and most important, adjustable pole pieces. And it's under warranty.

I never understand why someone would pay such a high price for a used (non-vintage) guitar. To me a ten year old guitar should start at 50% of the price of a new one and then you work your way down for dings, scratches, malfunctions. $1,000 for a ten year old guitar or $1,400 for a brand spanking new one is not much debate there. Just save for however many more months it takes and get a brand new one with the with the improved features and warranty.

I'm not sure that what you think is a good starting price for a quality used guitar confirms with the market.
In fact, I'm sure it doesn't.
I want to buy lots of 4001v63's for half the price they sold when new, or even the price new today. That doesn't happen either.
1400 is still 40% more than 1000, last time I checked. That's no big deal when you talk about $1 vs $1.4.
In this case it's a considerable amount of money. And if you don't have it, it's a huge amount.

[IHeartRics]

I thnk it comes down to what you consider the price versus the benefit and well as what you want versus what you set your limit to that you want to spend. Saving $400 could also go towards an amp or pedals, etc.

However it does drive me nuts sometimes how much used stuff can go for.

[Tommy]

I'm not sure that what you think is a good starting price for a quality used guitar confirms with the market.
In fact, I'm sure it doesn't.

No, you are completely right. My idea that a used guitar should start at 50% the price of a new one sure isn't the way the market works, but don't you think it should be?

$1,400 for a brand new Ric 330 or $1,000 for a ten year old Ric 330. How does that make any sense?

And, I don't think saving $400 more for a $1,000 product is such a back breaker. Yeah if the product was just fifteen dollars and someone gave advice just save $400 more, that would be silly. But the buyer is already in the $1,000 bracket. Why not wait, be patient, save a bit here and there for that $400 and get a brand new guitar with all the new features, color choice, warranty, etc... Even if it takes two years to save $400 (that would be squirelling away just $16 bucks every month), the reward of a brand new guitar is worth the wait.

$1,400 for a brand new Ric and $1,000 for a ten year old Ric...the math just ain't right there.

[drbrain]

Tommy,

Appreciate the input. $400 is a big difference for me, but not the end of the world. I didn't realize there were so many major changes between 2002 and now. Are today's Rickenbackers that much better then 2002 or is there a vintage that is better overall that I should ave my money for? I have read about some finish issues that have been corrected. I looked at a 1991 that had horrible finish issues, including the finish lifting off of the fretboard in places, chipping away from the inlays, and cracking down the side of the neck.

Also I am still concerned about the chubby neck issue which may make me want to wait to find something with a not so chubby neck. Is there a better year for the 620, especially in relation to having a skinner neck?

Thanks,

Harry

a 2002 MapleGlo 330 for $1000 with original case and all case candy. Like new, hardly ever used. Is this worth the price?

I'm not sure that's a great deal.

You are paying $1,000 for a ten year old guitar. You can buy a brand new 2012 330 for just $400 more. And the new ones come with nicer fretboard figuring, a more accesible string gauge, and most important, adjustable pole pieces. And it's under warranty.

I never understand why someone would pay such a high price for a used (non-vintage) guitar. To me a ten year old guitar should start at 50% of the price of a new one and then you work your way down for dings, scratches, malfunctions. $1,000 for a ten year old guitar or $1,400 for a brand spanking new one is not much debate there. Just save for however many more months it takes and get a brand new one with the with the improved features and warranty.

[Tommy]

Tommy,

Appreciate the input. $400 is a big difference for me, but not the end of the world. I didn't realize there were so many major changes between 2002 and now. Are today's Rickenbackers that much better then 2002 or is there a vintage that is better overall that I should ave my money for?

The vintage reissues are priced well beyond the standard new models. If vintage reissues are your thing, then save all you can.

Yes, $400 may be a big difference for everyone in these times, but if you are patient I would say that extra $400 dollars spent may be worth it. I just bought a 2011 Ric 330. Key selling points for me to buy a brand new Ric 330 were:
- the price,
- the payment plan offered: 3 payments over three months I can pay anyway I want (credit card, cash),
- it would be under warranty,
- and the new improved features on the new models:
1. any color choice you want including the new Ruby,
2. fretboard is made with new Rosewood that offers some stunning wood figuring,
3. a new standard string gauge that matches the string gauges sold in stores (no longer do you have to buy two sets of strings to string your Ric),
4. adjustable polepieces (this is a key feature, perfect volume balance across all six strings is now possible and so easy to get).

I just do not see the point of spending $1,000 for a ten year old guitar when you can spend around $400 more and get a brand new one with all the new improved features, plus it would be under warranty if anything goes wrong. Save. It is worth the time and effort.

I was in a somewhat similar boat as you. I had the $1,000 set aside for a new Gibson SG. But then out of simple curiosity I asked some Ric dealers for a price on a 330 and was astonished that they were lower than I imagined ($1,430, I was expecting around $2,000). Just $400 more and I could get a new Ric instead of a new Gibson SG. No brainer for me; decision was made to go for the Ric instead of the SG. I decided that in July of last year, and I got my Ric 330 for Christmas. That's roughly six months of squirelling away the extra cash to get me a new Ric 330. Half a year of patience, but it was soooooo worth it.

(And in that half a year waiting time I asked family members for birthday gifts and Christmas gifts that all had to do with my coming-soon Ric. Blue coil cable, blue capo, strap, gold pickguard, oven knobs... That stuff all got to me before my Ric did. When my Ric did get to me, I slapped everything together and I was ready to play.)

[drbrain]

Well I caved and went for a new 330 in Fireglo. I wish I knew where they could be had new for $1399. I called every authorized dealer in my area of PA and pricing was a lot more then I realized, best deal was $1750. I like to support local businesses but I found a much better deal online.

If anyone is interested this weekend MusiciansFriend.com offered a 15% off deal (mention - weekend deal), which I think is actually a mistake since it said on their site that Rickenbacker was not part of the weekend sale promotion ending on the 30th. With the 15% I got it for $1529, free shipping and no tax. The 620 is the model going for $1399 list and with the discount come to $1189.

At least if I really don't like it I can return it and only lose the return shipping charge.

Thanks for all of the input and hopefully I made the right decision.

Harry

[Folkie]

Congratulations, Harry! When the guitar arrives, do send some pics and a description of how it sounds.

[Tommy]

Well I caved and went for a new 330 in Fireglo. I wish I knew where they could be had new for $1399.

You didn't cave. You made a wise decision. Good luck and congrats. Fireglo 330 is as classic as it gets.

You wish you knew where they could be had for $1,400? All you had to do was ask. But if you pulled off a new one for $1,529 that's not bad at all. About $70 more than I paid for mine. Not a big deal. You did fine.

Hmmm, a 620 going for $1,189. And everyone thinks Rics are so out of reach. That price can tempt anyone.

Let's see the pics of your new 330 when you get her.