Rickenbacker 90th Anniversary Models

[redamber]

Just announced today on UK dealers website, two new Ric Anniversary models:

480XC 6-string (in Tobaccoglo & Jetglo) and 4005XC bass (in Amber Fireglo & Jetglo)

http://www.soundaffects.com/images/news ... 8_5628.jpg

Very tasty (despite the one year delivery times), if somewhat familiar body shapes. No information yet on production numbers.

[chronictown]

That 4005XC bass is wild!

[scotty]

I hope the cases are nice with the basses.

[jdogric12]

I hope the cases are nice with the basses.

Are you thining mainly about the look of the outside, and where you put them in the house? Because that would be...

the basses' cases' faces' places.

[scotty]

Get back to work! Hahahaha

[arbiter]

The prices seem a bit exorbitant on these at $4800 (nice coincidence) and $5150, but maybe it's just me. I know some will point to Gibson Custom and PRS prices to try and justify it, but as more major brands trend this way I'm inclined to look more at boutique builds or vintage guitars for these kinds of prices. Probably an unpopular opinion.

[casinoman]

I really like the fact that Rickenbacker decided to celebrate the 90th with really new models, not just adaptions to existing instruments (colour, binding) as with the 75th. Especially the bass sports a body shape (bound 360) not available before on a bass, so that's maybe what people were waiting for (if they like shortscale). I believe the 480 with a stop tailpiece was available as a one off from the RIC outlet shop a while back.

While the appropriateness of the prices is certainly very subjective, the question of availability seems very strange. Here in Germany, we just received the info about the new models, followed by the info that orders must be placed within the next 2 days. And the lead time of 1 year is also questionable. So I wonder why Rickenbacker doesn't simply produce those instruments in a limited quantity (maybe 90 per model) and offer it for sale.

And a final remark: While I love the fact that Rickenbacker is a family owned business with a lot of tradition and history, I wonder why they don't seem to be able (or willing) to update their website at least once in a while. The most recent "news" is from 2014... However, they managed to update the pricelist in 2019

[jdogric12]

The prices seem a bit exorbitant on these at $4800 (nice coincidence) and $5150, but maybe it's just me. I know some will point to Gibson Custom and PRS prices to try and justify it, but as more major brands trend this way I'm inclined to look more at boutique builds or vintage guitars for these kinds of prices. Probably an unpopular opinion.

There were deals to be had... just had to shop around.

I really like the fact that Rickenbacker decided to celebrate the 90th with really new models, not just adaptions to existing instruments (colour, binding) as with the 75th. Especially the bass sports a body shape (bound 360) not available before on a bass, so that's maybe what people were waiting for (if they like shortscale). I believe the 480 with a stop tailpiece was available as a one off from the RIC outlet shop a while back.

While the appropriateness of the prices is certainly very subjective, the question of availability seems very strange. Here in Germany, we just received the info about the new models, followed by the info that orders must be placed within the next 2 days. And the lead time of 1 year is also questionable. So I wonder why Rickenbacker doesn't simply produce those instruments in a limited quantity (maybe 90 per model) and offer it for sale.

And a final remark: While I love the fact that Rickenbacker is a family owned business with a lot of tradition and history, I wonder why they don't seem to be able (or willing) to update their website at least once in a while. The most recent "news" is from 2014... However, they managed to update the pricelist in 2019

The 75th instruments were kind of a happy accident from what I hear. Apparently there was one small batch of paint that was the DCM color by mistake, and they figured they had enough to do 300 (4x75) instruments with it. Their backlog was probably a longer wait then, so it wouldn't have made sense to design a whole new instrument. They've since slimmed down their standard offerings and are probably running much more efficiently, and were able to cook up these two new toys. Taking orders and planning for a production run later in the year seems wise, rather than take a gamble on how many people would buy a limited run. Just my $.02.

[arbiter]

There were deals to be had... just had to shop around.

What are you referring to exactly? Should I have called every dealer I could find and compared prices before they sold out of their pre-order allotment? Genuinely curious. Is this the way to shop for Rics these days and I've been doing it wrong?

[jdogric12]

There were deals to be had... just had to shop around.

What are you referring to exactly? Should I have called every dealer I could find and compared prices before they sold out of their pre-order allotment? Genuinely curious. Is this the way to shop for Rics these days and I've been doing it wrong?

It's not a limited run so I don't think there was an allotment that would run out. Generally, the larger dealers are the ones who are able to trim their margins and offer the best prices. There aren't too many really large Ric dealers so that narrows it down quite a bit. I happened to receive a tip that saved me from having to make too many phone calls, so I got lucky there. But if I hadn't, then yes, I would have been on the phone most of the day calling various dealers.

[arbiter]

Thank you for clarifying jdog. When you said there were deals to be HAD you kind of implied a limited supply from dealers at a certain price. If the process is simply to call all the dealers and find the best price then that is what it is I guess, but I'm not expecting massive swings, but perhaps I'm mistaken. I know it's been discussed ad nauseum at this point, but lately I'm kind of over the entire Ric sales model of contacting dealers for pricing. It's annoying enough to have to call or email shops to find this stuff out, especially when some are not the best at replying.

[jdogric12]

Thank you for clarifying jdog. When you said there were deals to be HAD you kind of implied a limited supply from dealers at a certain price. If the process is simply to call all the dealers and find the best price then that is what it is I guess, but I'm not expecting massive swings, but perhaps I'm mistaken. I know it's been discussed ad nauseum at this point, but lately I'm kind of over the entire Ric sales model of contacting dealers for pricing. It's annoying enough to have to call or email shops to find this stuff out, especially when some are not the best at replying.

That's fair. There are definitely better ways to spend one's time... like playing!

[bottom4]

Question for those 480 players. It seems there may be some design difference from the original 480 and the 480XC, however could you share your opinion on what guitar (if any) that it may compare to such as a tele or strat etc...?

I really like the looks of the 480XC JG but would like to know where it sits in my arsenal.

Thanks!
Andy

[jdogric12]

Question for those 480 players. It seems there may be some design difference from the original 480 and the 480XC, however could you share your opinion on what guitar (if any) that it may compare to such as a tele or strat etc...?

I really like the looks of the 480XC JG but would like to know where it sits in my arsenal.

Thanks!
Andy

When mine arrives in about a year I'll let you know!


I'd guess it will most sound like an 80's/90's 620, with those hot toasters. (Yep, the 480XC says it has hot toasters)

[bottom4]

Question for those 480 players. It seems there may be some design difference from the original 480 and the 480XC, however could you share your opinion on what guitar (if any) that it may compare to such as a tele or strat etc...?

I really like the looks of the 480XC JG but would like to know where it sits in my arsenal.

Thanks!
Andy

When mine arrives in about a year I'll let you know!


I'd guess it will most sound like an 80's/90's 620, with those hot toasters. (Yep, the 480XC says it has hot toasters)

Super helpful! Thanks!