Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've bought my first Ric before registering at the forum. I did shortly after.
I hadn't really read any reviews about 370's or Ricks in general. Except a very few on Harmony Central.

I was bidding on a Strat on eBay, it went over my fixed limit, so I bailed out on it.

Then I typed in Rickenbacker, went to my fixed limit amount on eBay. 1000$.
I see a 370 in the cool Burgundy, which I had never seen before. I bid on it at that moment.

It wasn't untill it was being shipped that I started reading about them, the thin necks, the pickups, the lacquered fingerboard, all I knew, John had several 325's, George some 360's.

Was I ever suprised when I started playing it. I couldn't believe it. I bought a guitar without ever playing one and I absolutely loved it!

My next Ric purchase will hopefully be in person. Unfortunately, as Peter, there is no dealer to be found on the Atlantic coast of Canada.


I hope my story didn't bore you guys, tomorrow's my day off from work and I had a few beers so I feel like telling stories. Haha.
Hope you guys have fun at work tomorrow

The 4001 I purchased in 1977 was a sight unseen thing... and I was a happy camper. With that said, my plans to purchase a 4001C64S online come with a little bit of hesitancy... only because I would like the opportunity to make sure that the center "neck-thru" section of the body isn't as off-color from the body wings as the ones I've seen pictured on the Internet lately.

A minor "cosmetic" quibble to be sure, but still...

What can I say? I'm a nit-picky a***ole!

I've bought all my new ones from GC and Daddy's Junky music (I had good luck with them) until now, I have a 4003FL ordered. I have bought some 2nd hand ones through ebay however and have generally had good luck. I think the majority of good used Rics and going on ebay now anyway, that's why Daddy's doesn't have good ones anymore.

I've bought my Ricks new from on-line dealers (Mike Parks, Classic Axe), and from catalogs before having 'net access (Musician's Friend, AMS). For the most part, all were good experiences. My '99 4003 that I bought from Musician's Friend had had someone trying to remove the pickup cover (I assume), because it was a little out of position, but the bass was flawless once I adjusted that. I would definitely get pictures ahead of time of any guitars in Mapleglo or with exposed wood patterns, though - just to make sure you like the grain. I got lucky with my mapleglo 4003's grain, back before I had 'net access.

It would be nice to try them out ahead of time, but that just isn't possible for a lot of us.

I've done both. Bought a Duo Jet TSP (Harrison model) from North Coast Music, and currently have a 360/12C63 on order there (Mr. Hall, pretty please send Gary a whole bunch of them soon...it's such a loooonnngg wait). I'd buy another guitar in a minute from NCM.

I've bought a Rogue Hofner knock-off and an Epiphone EJ-160E from Musician's Friend. They arrived in excellent condition, but as I had read elsewhere, the Rogue's string needed immediately replacement, and after a $40 set-up the Epi is perfect.

I'd ordered a Tennessee Rose from GC without ever playing one, so I suppose that's kinda "like" mail order. And I also bought a Ric 325C58 and a Strat from CG after playing them. And then an Epi Dot and a White Falcon at another local non-chain music store. The Dot I bought because I just loved playing it. I really had no intention of ever buying a 335-style guitar. This one changed my mind.

The Falcon, well I bought that because it was there, it was a good price, and my wife thought it was pretty.

And I have no regrets or horror stories to tell about any of them, mail order or not. Yes, had to do some pro set-ups on the 325 and the Epi 160 to get them right, but it was worth it and I love the guitars.

Now, eBay, that's the one place I haven't tried. Not sure I'm ready for that place.

Howdy,

I'm lucky to have an authorized Rickenbacker dealer right here in little ol' Shreveport, La!
They're essentially a Sam Ash type outfit, but they've got a showroom.
I spoke to the owner about a year ago about getting Rickenbackers, and he followed through!
Generally I recommend playing, holding and inspecting the guitar before buying sight unseen.
With Rickenbackers, it's not so important when buying new, as they are famous for being set up and ready to play straight from the case!
The assessment changes somewhat for those who've never "test-driven" a Rickenbacker. I've been playing 'em for 20 years but to a college kid who cut his teeth on a Strat, buying a Rickenbacker from someplace like Sam Ash could prove to be surprising: slim neck, narrow string spacing; Rickenbackers are unique in construction and tone.
Admittedly the big places like Sam Ash, et al have some advantages for the consumer, but it's also nice to develop that "feel" with a guitar before actually forking over one's plastic or cash. YMMV
Respectfully,
Larry

I've bought 3 Rickenbackers online - one from Elderly through a Google search (68 366 MG), one through Gbase (68 366 AG) and one Ebay (75 481 MG) - it must be said that if you are already familiar with the feel of the specific Rickenbacker era's - then you should know that Rick's consistancy in feel is right on the money. Soundwise is always gonna be a bit different from guitar to guitar of similar model...probably for me is the scatterwound mojo element as well as wood tone. I haven't been disappointed in any case. Always best to play and pay however for vintage one's this is just not always possible. Hey, if it doesn't blow your dress up, it certainly will for someone else....move along little doggie. Never done this with a Rickie yet but have done so with a few Gibsons and Fenders.

I agree with Steves 'move along' philosophy. I have had so many Rics through my hands, that I have become very specific about what I want. Nearly all my gtrs have been bought unseen, because like Mike said, the UK is not blessed with Rics in quantity (apart from Mike Smith) & getting what you want is difficult, especially if your needs are other than a new 330 or 360 in JG, FG or MG.
I ask the right questions before I buy to try & lesson the chances, but if the gtr doesn't feel right instantly, it's out the door!

Steve, you got that 481, huh? I was seriously considering it. How does it stack up?

I'm now in the process of picking up a '77 4001 from a member of the boards, and I can honestly say I've been blown away by the amount of info I've been given. In fact, about the only thing I haven't been able to do is reach through the screen and play it! I've always said I'd never, ever buy a bass I didn't play first... a man named Lindsay Hahn changed my mind by doing everything in his power to make sure I knew enough in advance to make me feel good about what I'd be getting before I pulled the trigger.

I just felt like it would be relevant to this topic to call Lindsay out for his integrity throughout the beginning stages of the process... and I cannot wait to get my grubby little paws on it!

Hi Paul,

I got the 481 from LA on EBay buy it now a couple years ago or so. I always wondered about them and it was so babied and clean, I couldn't pass it up mainly due to the historical significance of not only having slanted frets but having Rickenbacker humbuckers and phase switch as well as bolt on neck. I always said "real guitars" are not bolted together (sorry Fender but I have several of yours too). This changed my mind. It plays really comfortable for my thumb-use chord fretting however bar chords are a little tricky when strapped at belt string level. I've recorded with it a few times and it really stacks up with the Gibsons tonewise - I don't know how they do it but the neck and body sustain together amazingly. The tone is more like a Firebird with its sharp attack. Very hi-fi. Definitely not mushy in any pick-up selection. It is made to be played with a cranked up amp. It always gets the "huh? whu-dat? look at gigs and recordings. I love that. The previous original owner was gutted to sell it but never played it....at all. Serendipity baby. She's a happy camper now.

Bought a Rogue Hofner knock off and amp and a nylon string Epi from Musician's Friend. arrived safe and sound. Bought a Gretsch Tennesse Rose w/ Tennesean pick guard from NCM, it arrived just perfecto a really good guitar. I have a Ric 360-12C63 on order from NCM(paid in full cuz I cain't leave the cash just alayin around)and please Mr. Hall echoing Jerry's plea send bunches to Gary at NCM...oh no I'm vibrating again, off the RIC- ter scale once more, ok calm down, it will arrive, it will arrive........

Bob, please! Now they'll all want one!

But they can't have mine! Mine all mine!!!

(I don't know how to make the little smiley guy.)

Brian...

I also bought a Rogue from MF, an acoustic-electric for my wife. Arrived in perfect shape and actually surprised me how good of a guitar it is.