Rickenbackers Overpriced?

[nukebass]

It's all subjective, and for me, they are currently overpriced. If I had waited a year to order my 4004, I'd be playing a G&L or Fender, but I ordered right before the price increases. When I was looking at prices about a year or year and a half ago, 90% of MSRP seemed pretty standard and, when I bought in 2005, the "big box" stores were a pretty good indication of what smaller dealers were selling Rickenbackers for. Granted, the street price will probably fluctuate with stock, so they aren't currently overpriced for market demand.

[mad_phingers]

A Ric is an investment. And a wise one at that!

[paologregorio]

I'd say they're priced just about right for the quality one gets, if not underpriced.

[cassius987]

Seems like the 4003 hovers between 80-90% of MSRP most of the time. 4004s fluctuate a lot more. Occasionally dealers actually want 100%, which always surprises me, but during periods of peak demand, the market seems to justify it.

[cangaroo]

IMHO the "overpriced" thing is subjective.

Generally speaking, to me a bass is overpriced if - sonically speaking - the final result is not worth the money spent.
If i spend (for example) 3000$ (or euros) for a bass, i want to be 100% sure that it will sound good.

Other people can judge a bass from the construction quality, other from the finishes, other from playability and so on ...

[ram]

Other than you get what you paid for... made in America and all of that - I've had my 4001 since 1974... paid $442 for it... that comes to about $13 a year. Not too bad. I've had magazine subscriptions costing more than that....

[jayfbv]

It seems to me that the issue isn't price, it's availability. I haven't seen a new 4003 in a local store for over 5 years...let alone a selection.

[RicOSoundMan]

Lets not forget those lovely Alembics!!!! Rarrr Raarrrrrrrrr BUT I can't swing the 5 grand for the one i like.[img]C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\LMC\My%20Documents\My%20Pictures[/img]

[RicOSoundMan]

**** could'nt post photo of it. Anyways its the thought that counts

[johnallg]

**** could'nt post photo of it. Anyways its the thought that counts

Andy, when you are posting, look at the tabs below the text box you type in and choose Upload attachment. Then browse to your photo, highlight it, then click add the file. Then add the link created to your post. That should get you there.

See you Saturday.

[RicOSoundMan]

I first got my 76' 4001 in like 1983, paid a whopping $400.00 for it from a pawn shop.
bout fell over when i saw it and purchased it. Was love at first sight, still is my favorite bass.....everyone who plays it loves it also.

the others I own are a Ric 76' 3000 in mapleglo

86' Kawai F-2-B in Koa and Maple flat finish
06' Geddy Lee Sig. Fender Jazz Bass in black and white

Thanks for the advice John I went back and posted the photo. See ya Saturday

[heinpete]

Overpriced??? As long as they sell...

[12stringbassist]

Ric will know that they are over-priced when their backlog disappears and they can't shift their existing stock.

[rickenbrother]

I think that the price increases that RIC made before the last ones, didn't go high enough. Just my humble opinion.

[cassius987]

Overpriced??? As long as they sell...

That's the truth--in addition to the fact that, as I have said, people often think Rics are priced higher than they really are. I don't know how many times I've read, "Well if I was paying $2,000 for a bass I'd go ahead and get a Sadowsky!" [Or some other high-priced Fender-esque bass or boutique shop bass...]

Well, A) I don't really want a Sadowsky very much (I'd just go for a Fender), and B) I have not paid close to $2,000 for any of my basses, Ric or other. And with one lucky exception I have always bought new.