Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My patience requires a much larger reward.

xcoyle wrote:Thanks Kira, I just got a new Canon SD890 IS, which is about a 6-7 year jump in technology from my old one. But I am still the same photographer, who has to take about 10 shots to get one decent one. I also went from a 64mb card to an 8gig card, so plenty of room to play around now.

Not meaning to turn this into a camera discussion, but a brief sidetrack:

Two years ago, give or take, I bought my dream prosumer camera--a Sony DSC F828. Smokin' deal, lightly used, newer TOL just released, so it was within reach ("within reach"=less than the price of any collectible Rickenbacker).

I was deeeeeelighted when I got it--I'd lusted after it for about three years, and my trusty and excellent DSC F727 was on its last legs after four and a half busy years. (It died for good soon after and I had no spare).

Within a few days I uncovered a fatal flaw that the tests I read did not mention--its relatively slow though larger CCD causes blurred images in indoor lighting. No problem with flash images, just with existing light. When I use my full studio setup of strobes, fills, bounce umbrella, light boxes, etc., it gives wonderful results. But an indoor point-and-shoot it is not, whereas the old tech 727 excelled at everything it did, although it was only 5 MP.

Last month I picked up a reconditioned DCS F727, for under $200.00. Now the TOL 828 is my spare, and my old friend is back with me.

Sometimes stepping back is good.

The 1st Rickenbacker I ever bought was a like new 325c58JG that I got on ebay for $1149(BIN) but that was 2004.I don't know what these sell for now.

They were roughly double that before the crash, and just before they were discontinued they listed for $3199, I seem to recall.

These days, I think you're still looking at $2200-2300 for a nice one; JGs are rarer than Alderglos.

The thing that's only been briefly touched upon in this thread is RIC's backlog. They have been streamlining the number of models they offer (along with color choices and options) for several years now in order to catch up with the excessive number of orders they have for guitars and basses. It seems to be working - Just a couple of years ago, authorized Rickenbacker dealers had almost no inventory. All the Ricks they got in were already spoken for. Just recently, many dealers now have stock.

I believe once RIC has the backlog down to a managable level (where you don't have to wait 2-3 years for a guitar you order), we'll see the return of some discontinued models, options and more color choices. Perhaps the standard 325 or 320 will return. Until then, look for a preowned one in mint condition (They're out there).

Although it's obvious that RIC is working at capacity to reduce the backlog, I think the "in stock" situation is due more to economic conditions than faster throughput at the factory.

Doesn't the new finish process promise to lessen the time it takes at the factory to build a new Rick?

Supposedly.

kiramdear wrote:Doesn't the new finish process promise to lessen the time it takes at the factory to build a new Rick?

As of my last factory visit, it wasn't in full swing yet.

The backlog is confusing, because MF had so many guitars that were over a year old. With Ebay prices at half big box store prices on 330's and 360's, who would buy new?

Anyone who wanted a warranty with their Rick.

An instrument + warranty or instrument + another instrument

Seems an easy choice.

beatlefreak wrote:look for a preowned one in mint condition (They're out there).

I'm looking...and they ain't out there.

The problem with Rics is Ric owners. Those who buy and own Rics know what they have. They save for these icons, cherish them...and don't want to get rid of them. As I said, I can find a billion used Epiphones for sale right now, but just very few Rics. Ric owners know what they have, love them, and rarely part with them. I have nine guitars and the very last one I would ever sell would be the Ric.
And I would never sell her. I'm a Ric owner -- I know what I have and I'm not parting with it.

You could get one of these.

Tommy wrote:

beatlefreak wrote:look for a preowned one in mint condition (They're out there).

I'm looking...and they ain't out there.

Here's one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-325V63 ... 286.c0.m14

Here's another:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-325V59 ... 286.c0.m14

And a third:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-RICKEN ... 286.c0.m14

And another:
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1975-RICKEN ... 286.c0.m14