Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's my '99 1997 FG from my friends at Guitar Center-

Very nice Randy. These are getting harder and harder to find.

Randy,

That's a great end to this adventure and well done on grabbing a fine guitar....an even better deal than the beat up Jetglo 1997. Goes to show that keeping a level head and being prepared to explore alternatives will resolve things in your favour in most cases. And to think you didn't even need to say "breach of contract"!

A great result, Randy, and an even greater guitar. This just serves to reinforce one of my tenets: there is no substitute for face-to-face negotiation (as distinct from electronic confrontation) when matters need resolution.

You are both to be congratulated on your attitude.

Cheers

A few minutes ago, I checked Ebay to see if this 1997 FG was still running in an active auction. If it was, I was going to try and win it. Then I could go back and get Chris to cut me a really killer deal on the 660/12 MG. Lucky for him, it wasn't there!

That's the ticket, Randy - never give up!

Randy, did you manage to ask him--politely, of course!--why the GCREP auctions have such high prices?

I think I already know the answer to my question...

But--congrats anyway. That's a gorgeous 1997!

The local Guitar Center around here has a lot of used gear, more than most stores around here.
After watching the used Mesa Bass amp I wanted sit for a couple of months at $899.00, I said "do you guys want to move that thing out of here?" "Well then sell it to me for 600!" I bought it for $650.00
I played my first Rick there, a 78' 4001 mapleglo, which was in o.k. condition(fretboard dry and sanded, badass bridge), but not worth the 1300.00 price tag.
Getting to the point, I wound up liking the unique
sound, and the salesman could tell, and so he asked if I was interested. I said "you guys want 1300.00 for this bass? "I could get a new one for about the same price!" and proceeded to laugh. His face turned red, and he admitted the price was a little obsurd, and said if I walked in with 800.00 we could talk. I wound up with a 4003 off ebay a couple months later, although I liked how the guy reacted after he realized he'd lost with me, opposed to getting argumentative.
Just walk in G.C. educated, or you may end up going for a little ride!

Good score Randy! I spoke with Chris on the phone several times during my ordeal and he did seem like a nice guy.
Way to go.

Nice ending Randy. The '97 is a fantastic Ric, I owned one and wish I still had it and better yet, I wish they still made them.

I got my Gretsch Reverend Horton Heat model from that store through Troy Richardson, who was at the Sherman Oaks store. Troy worked out the deal with Chris who persoanlly picked it out of 6 units he had for the Jim Hart (the Rev) promotion, at their store. Apparently he was there to promote the guitar and played all six. Chris picked out the most awesome figured Gretsch I have ever seen; offset with the Western Orange, its stunning. I say this to confirm that there are some good people at GC and if you go in knowledgeable (like Christopher said) and negotiate in good faith you will more that likely get a good deal.

Bill, I'm not a Rev. Horton Heat fan, but I believe the Rev's real name is Jim Heath. I used to work with a guy who went to high school with him in the Dallas area. The same GC store has a stand-up bass finished in a custom green flamejob that belonged to his bass player. Call Chris if you're interested!

Randy, still sounds like your getting great deals!

I love the Rev. he's only known amongst the rock a billy psychos around here though, but what a great band and Jimbo is unbelievable on that upright. When they play here though it's sold out very quickly.

I thought this saga was over, but now there's another twist. To recap, I won an auction for a beat-up 1997 JG from GCREP, but they sold it a few days before the auction ended, and forgot to cancel the auction. I went to the GC in question and worked out a good deal on a very nice 1997 FG. Well, this weekend I walked into the store and saw the same beat-up 1997 JG hanging on the wall again. It's tagged at $1999, so it won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I'm going to call GCREP and see what going on.

Give 'em hell, Randy. This all seems very much on the nose to me!!