Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul makes a most compelling and insightful observation. This Forum is more important than ever as a resource for those who need advice on the legitimacy and value of vintage Ricks, amid the rise in price points. Jerry is right on target about it being a price correction, in a sense. Despite a reawakened example buyer risking ridicule at spending $65K in the last five months on Ricks, that same strategic buyer could now say those same Ricks are worth well over $100K just five months later, and thus have much about which to chortle with glee

All are reasons to enjoy, treasure, and continue to conserve all our Rick collections, players and vintage pieces alike

"...players and vintage pieces alike "

There's a difference?

A few things I believe to be true:

*If I get financially secure enough to afford dozens of Ricks, I will do so.

*The fact that collectors collect Rickenbackers is not necessarily why prices are increasing.

*No amount of electronic controls would prevent forum members from doing business with each other.

*With every year that passes, our old Rickenbackers still play incredibly well...and as the world notices this build quality and longevity, the perception of value increases.

*It is okay for Rickenbackers to be expensive. It is okay for Squiers to be cheap.

So whose the vintage piece, you or the bass?

Oh wait, not again?

never mind.

I have 7 Rics ... none of them over priced rare items ... I had one of them and I sold it when it became too valuable to take anywhere ...

Did I shake the trees with this thread? Seems like everyone has their opinion on this subject. I feel that a bass guitar for $7500+ dollars is crazy, but I could never afford it so that is why I feel this way. I someone has the money to buy one at that price, God bless them.

>there is an upswing of the mindset that I "gotta >have it now at whatever cost"

This is why I think the guitar market is a good reflection of the economy in general. Personal savings are the lowest right now since the Great Depression. Credit card debt is at an all-time high. People seem to feel they deserve what they desire whether they can really afford it or not... it's just a different mindset from previous generations. The gap between the Haves and Have-nots has been growing, and the Have-nots in the last decade or so now have access to credit to keep up with the Haves, something they wouldn't have even had the option of before the credit boom. The Haves have plenty of money, so competition amongst themselves drives up the prices out of reach to the average schmoe. That being said, I don't think collectors should be overly blamed for the problem. Are people hoarding guitars moreso than say ten years ago? Collecting instruments has always been certain people's main hobby. People who have the cha-ching to invest in guitars for income likely realize there are more secure investments to be had on Wall St. The real problem is the internet... nowadays everyone is acutely aware of the highest going price for things, whereas in days bygone, you could find great deals just prowling the mom and pop music stores (yes, I'm old enough to remember a pre-database world). And who can deny that drooling over all these pics of Ricks in this cyber forum doesn't fan the fires of Want? I also think posting links to Ricks for sale here for all forum members to pounce on limits the number of nice deals someone may stumble on. I can see personally emailing someone about a good deal on a Rick you spotted that they may be interested in, but I don't really see it as a public service to post such deals for the entire Rick-starved world to pounce on-- that's why I won't do it.

If Ricks ever receive the exposure that has been due them for so long, it's California real estate time. Limited supply, never-ending demand...

Hey, JPS, great looking basses, I guess I'm a have-not. Holes teeth, holes in my shoes and I cant get no sleep. Its hard trying to make a million. LOL

My stance on this has changed quite a bit...I started off and had only one Rick for years, a 360...but the more and more I learned about and appreciated the other models (combined with lots of OT) and learned how to play bass it kind of grew.

I always swore that I would never become a collector and I still don't think I am....I think I've reached my limit as far as how many Ricks...I think Darren said it best when he told me "quality not quantity".

I spent my 30s paying off my mortgage - we have a smaller house in a typical but safe neighborhood. I pay cash for cars - I drove used until 2004. I hate pissing away my money on interest so I pay off the cc monthly. I guess I am the anomaly in light of Jo's post. But my wife and I will be able to retire early and quite comfortably.

Yes, I could pay the going price for a rare or collectable Rick, but it insults my sensibilities as it is just an older instrument with desirable features. I still want a 4001 just to have and the tonal/playability differences, but it will be a player, as are my other 2 Ricks.

I do not begrudge those with large collections of old Rick instruments. It is just not for me. It is sad these instruments hang or sit in cases and do not get to fulfill their destiny of making music.

I do not begrudge those with large collections of old Rick instruments. It is just not for me.


Exactly how I feel. Even though I have had several dozen RICS over the years, the most I ever had at one time was 7. Now it is 1. Even when I had 7, (and a bad case of GAS) I seemed to play them all, in turn. Now I dont care anymore. Till they start making basses I like again, I'm defintaly not going to start a collection. Thats for collectors, and god bless em

There will always be collectors, I collect antique ham radio and communications receivers. I would collect basses but they are just too damn expensive and I'm a player also, I don't begrudge people collecting them though any more than I begrudge people collecting silver dollars or gold coins, some things are just too valuable to use anymore. When was the last time you saw a 63 split window Vette leaving rubber at the stop light or a 426 hemi Barricuda or SS 454 Chevelle smoking them up in the center of town, which was their main purpose in life at one time? Those babies are all resting up for their Sunday drive just like the 1957 4000's and 1960 J basses are.

Just in case I was unclear....I don't begrudge anybody for having vast collections either. It just doesn't make sense to my little mind.

It does somewhat bother me that muscle cars aren't be thrashed and that Rics aren't being played but I race my GN (semi-modern muscle car) and my LK gets a workout most times when I gig. I'm doing my part.

Someday I'll collect dust...