Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi Marc,
Maybe I need to go read this whole thread...I feel like I said something that disrupted the flow here.
I'm sorry...

No Mike, Buying a Ric is frustrating these days. If I didn't know better, I'd think everyone and anyone selling a new or used Ric is in on it together.

Any info we get, we gotta share...in any thread possible .....ha ha

Freds Music looks like they'll take an order online at $1199, but their pages look outdated.

I like it when the price of my Ric basses go up ... but I feel sorry for the young musicians who want to play a Ric bass ...

I entered a bid of $1150 or so in the final seconds and just couldn't hit "confirm bid".

It's great that Ric prices go up but people aren't real selective (or just plain smart) about what they pay a premium for. I could certainly understand paying extra for sentimental reasons or for non-standard colors/options....I've been quite guilty of that myself. When someone pays $1800 for a so-so condition JG '78 4001 that's just an ill informed bad decision (IMO). If it is due to "sentimental" reasons that's fine but paying a premium for a standard edition in below average condition is just one of the things that will hurt the Ric market in the long run.

I agree with Jeff for a change. I always appreciated Rics value for the money and that is still true for new standard models but for anything used or "special" forget about an average working middleclass knucklehead getting one.....odds are slim. I tend to think that is a negative for the hobby as well. I'll end my rant here.....

We also agree the 4004 is a nice bass ...

4004 - very underrated...

Here here!

What a drag, and I'll be waiting many months, or longer for my first 4004Cii, in Trans Grn, and paying full retail from Dave's Guitars in Wisconsin. I'm also guilty of paying way too much for a '77 4001 MG, but it was a sentimental thing. It seems I'm always a day late and overbudget when it comes to RAC. What a drag it is....

There are two times of the year that are the best for getting a deal on Ric ... one is around this time of year because people are spending money on vacations and may not be able to bid ... the other is Christmas ... they are buying presents and don't have money for another Ric bass ...

Very useful to know Jeff, and thanks.

Wow, so the recent trend on ordered 4004s is close or at full retail. I got a great deal on a 650S from Dave's Guitars. Maybe those deals are just for stock items? My transaction went smoothly and it shipped quick so I was certainly happy.

Speaking of prices, though, even before the 2007 list price increase Musiciansfriend and Sam Ash went from charging around 70% of list to 85%. The 330s went from 999 to 1250 over night. Others probably followed suit. If RIC can knock out the backlog, maybe the 70% of list prices will come back, at least on the high run models.

I remember 63% being the standard in the mid 90s. I miss those days.