Rickenbacker website suggestions?

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:37 am

I thought it might be useful to list some upgrades we'd like to see to the official website that users could find beneficial.

My principle request would be for pictures of each guitar in the various finishes available, preferably with both front and back shots. This shouldn't be too hard to do anymore, since, aside from pickups, there is only one trim option available.

MSRP listings on models would be useful.

What would be really helpful, though I doubt we'll ever see it, is some indication of the production status and expected wait times. Even if this was listed quarterly, it would help us plan orders. A big deterrent (at least to me) to ordering is the uncertainty of when an instrument may be ready, and when funds will need to be available. If I know I have a year to come up with funding, my order can be placed, but if it could be three months, or three weeks, then it makes it difficult to commit to an order.

Any other suggestions?

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:54 am

I like the individual colour options with front and back Chris Clayton at POR does this on the expanded view at POR.

Personally I'd love to see the Photo gallery and the historical archives expanded. I know it's a huge undertaking. I'd offer my services as an intern to help anytime.

I'd also love to see a "through the years" look at various models, like the 4000 and 360 series. Recently I took a wander through the old catalouges that are online and was mesmerised by the early 4000's. It'd be really nice to be able to review the subtle changes that have been applied over the years.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:03 am

I'd like to expand on Jims idea, by having a page on every model that they have made, with a photo & details. Bjorn almost does this, so it is possible, but no doubt hard work. You also hear the word 'prototype' a lot with Rickenbacker & it would be nice to have a little more info on this subject.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:29 am

I'd start with just better photographs of the same models they already have. Gary at NCM has GREAT photographs. The RIC stock shots look like cardboard in comparison. They look OK in the catalogs, but that's a completely different medium.

I believe JH has publicly stated that they will NEVER give production schedules to the public - part of the reason is because if somebody (like a dealer) cancels an order, things change. I am sure there are other good reasons too.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:33 am

While there is no doubt the historical information is very interesting, the idea for this topic was more along the lines of things Ric could add that would make ordering new guitars more attractive.

For example, until not that long ago, most of us here weren't aware that the 4004 series guitars were available in stock finishes, despite the site saying so, and most of us had never seen what a Fireglo 4004 looked like. Having pictures of these finishes on the site would take a lot of the guesswork out of ordering a new guitar, and could actually inspire more orders, since after seeing how a particular model looks in various finishes, they are easier to imagine owning.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:07 am

Maybe they should do that at their website instead of just having the color blocks, it sounds like a good idea actually.
I know I sound like a broken record but I'd put the archives back online, a lot of topics I see discussed now have already been discussed in the past.

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:19 am

!!!!
How about a webcam of the shop.
That would be cool publicity, if you can get your employees to sign the release...

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:28 pm

The RIC site now is good, but it assumes you already have some knowledge of Rickenbacker instruments.

For example, Rickenbacker's model numbers are confusing to initiates. I think it would be helpful to newbies if you could search the site like this:

The Models page gives you a choice - Guitars or Basses or Special Products (acoustics and mandolin, etc). In this example, say you choose Guitars. It takes you to another page that says '300 series', '600 series', 'Vintage Reissues', and 'Signature Series' and under each it gives a brief overview of the main thrust behind those models, ie 'Classic Hollowbodies' 'Solid Bodies with Neck-Thru Design' or 'Meticulous recreations of Quintessential Rickenbackers' or something like that. Then you choose your series and it takes you to the models.

Also, I think it would be helpful if the website explained more thoroughly the features of each model. For instance, when most people see a three-pickup guitar they think it will have a five-way switch like a Strat. A 340 yields a pretty different sound than a 330, but not because it has Strat-style switching. And I think those models with Rick-o-sound should explain the beauty of the Rick-o-sound concept (like a paragraph under the heading "What is Rick-O-Sound?") and that you need to buy a separate thing to activate it.

I agree with the idea of being able to see each model in the available colors, with the caveat that each guitar is finished by hand and that the actual model may look a little different. Front views are essential, but I think a 'topside' view would be helpful too. Some people are surprised by how far off the body the strings are on a 300 series guitar. Back would be nice, too.

I think it would be helpful, in the 'History' category, to have something like Bjorn has in his Models section. Just a quick photo and description of each model of the past.

Also, it would be helpful to have a history of each series. Maybe a timeline. Like, the 300 series debuted in... The new model 360 debuted in... Changed to silvertop knobs in... Changed to 24 frets around... Changed to Hi-Gains around... Not necessarily extra-specific, but generally: what were the updates, and maybe why they were updated. Let browsers know why Ricks today are the best models ever.

Also, they should emphasize their place in the history of the electric guitar, and that they are still made only in the USA. That aspect is often overlooked in my opinion.

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:50 pm

Oh, and a color timeline would be cool, like Mike Parks has.

I love the old catalogs that they have online, and I'd like to see more cool old stuff like that. The serial number decoder is awesome, too.

Oh, maybe hyperlinks on each model number, so that if the site mentions the 360/12 in relation to the sound of the sixties, it takes you directly to the 360c63/12. Stuff like that.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:56 pm

Sounds like another Rickenbacker book, Ethan...

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:06 pm

Yeah, you're right... Couldn't hurt to have all that stuff on the web site, though!

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:21 pm

I don't think the organisation is all that confusing, and you only lose a mouse click if you find you're in a category you don't want. It would probably be useful to have direct links on each model page to other similar models, especially in a different series (there are some, but last time I looked there wasn't anything to get you to a V series guitar from the regular line).

I agree that more description would be good, as would sound clips, especially for comparing a model with different pickup options.

I believe that much of the historical info is better suited to fan sites, but wouldn't object to having an official timeline available.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:46 pm

The ric website doesn't look that great. They should get someone with some sort of design sense to make the site as elegant and special as the guitars are. The rickenbacker website should be much more indicative of the brand. Right now it looks kind of shabby. Which is totally not what the instruments are.

The model pages especially. I hate to say this but the Fender site is much nicer in this area. You can click on the guitar and a large hi-res picture pops up in a new window, letting you really see the guitar. The pictures of the guitars on the ric just don't look as good, although the guitars themselves are so much more beautiful, IMHO.

Most of the guitar models on the fender site also have little sound clips. This would be a nice and usefull touch.

I don't think having each model in each color is needed, but instead of a color chart of colored squares, how about a color chart made up of pictures of guitars and basses?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:47 pm

This idea of sound clips on the site is the best thing I've read yet. Besides the concept of facilitating the comparison of models with different pickups, it might also serve the purpose of initiating the casual browser or "newbie" potential buyer into the uniqueness of the Rick sound.

I think it would be tough, however, to illustrate the difference between the sound of a 330 and 360, though. Too subtle.

But, please, no Rick riffs playing in the background of the homepage. As JH would say, I've been there, done that (on other webpages) and it's distracting and sometimes even irritating...

FLASH: Is there anyway that Rickenbacker could somehow put the smell of a new Rick on the website?

It'd quadruple demand...(joke)

Sorry, I didn't say that. It's tough enough matching output with demand (from JH's point of view), or waiting for "our" guitar (from our POV).

blueflamerick · Post by **blueflamerick** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:55 am

I'm a programmer and I'd redo the site for free. Well, maybe for a tour of the factory. =o)