Laguna discontinued

[steverok]

5% growth on guitars, huh? That beats bonds and many other forms of low-risk investment. Maybe I should go buy a bunch of guitars, and put them in a storage unit under A/C for about 10 years.

[jingle_jangle]

That's Fender's prices, not the value of stock or so-called "collectible" guitars, both of which are on their own schedules, anyway.

The time to invest in guitars was the mid-to-late '70s...Ahhhh.....

[squid]

Not to hijack the thread, but I still think that the interesting part of the announcement is John Hall's follow-up statement regarding new models. I'm really not fazed by the new pricing schedule at all.

John, can we coax you into divulging any details? Even some scant details?

[jps]

"The price increase was similar in scale to those that our competitors have on an annual basis- except that we haven't done it for six years!"

Sounds like my business. Our current price list dates to December 2002, but the previous one was February 1997!

[ozover50]

IMHO, for what you get, the value would still be there with another price-hike of the same proportions. To me, a Rick is a Rick and they have always been scarce and relatively expensive in Oz.

Just about everybody I talk to goes gooey in the grotto when I tell them I've got two Ricks, including the duds in the music 'supermarkets' who have never seen one!

For me, that alone gives them added value!!

Just the same, I hope the Aussie dollar stays strong against the US one.

[fading_fast]

The new Ric price points shouldn't even be an issue. The prices remain unbeatable for such a unique range of instruments.

Consider other cool yet reasonable US guitar makers. I'm thinking Heritage and Reverend for example. Both offer high quality and excellent value. They also borrow heavily from recognizable "worldy" designs.

Rics are absolutely incomprable in almost every respect, right down to the screws. That's gotta be worth something.

However, Ric may suffer slightly from "sticking to their guns at all costs" as far as vintage specs are concerned. The 380 Laguna discontinuation is a good example of an attempt, but not necessarily a success at evolution. If they offered the 300 series with a wide neck option, I'd be making out a check as I write this.

[ozover50]

You're a bloody snob, Wizz. Would you have it any other way?

Me??.... guilty as charged, Your Honour.

[brian]

I guess the discontinuation of the 380L means that the humbucker option is now only offered on solidbody instruments. However, as it seems to me, most people here like toasters or high gains this may be another reason for the lack of popularity of the model. Although there seems to be interest in the 650 and 4004 series. Any thoughts ? I have a 380 and like the model, interested in what others opinions on it are.

[squirebass]

While I am sorry to see the 380L go, I just can't own one example of every Rickenbacker model so I guess I just have to accept it. But I'm really up in arms about them discontinuing those T-shirts!!!

[ozover50]

I think JH hinted that these were not necessarily discountinued - perhaps to be replaced with new designs?

Of course I could be wrong...... often am!!

[johnhall]

The HB pickups are optional on all instruments just as the vintage pickups are. However, since April 1st, a deposit is required to place this type of special order.

[jingle_jangle]

T-Shirts??? Did somebody say T-Shirts???

[brian]

Interesting, I missed that when looking at the price sheet. Now this means another option to consider.
A 12 string with HBs and possibly color of the year. Has anyone noticed if the new headstock design has started to ship ?

[wayang]

All I know is the price of everything is up except for my labor...

Call me a cab...

[highway_star]

Mike Parks has a few on order and one is still has no deposit against it, so here's your chance to get one if you want one.