Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

wj350 wrote:I still have a hard time understanding how lower cost alternatives hurt the USA-name brand. Someone who can only afford a couple hundred $$ for a guitar is only going to spend that much. They're not going to buy a Fender CS, Gibson, or for that matter Ric. They *might* buy a MIM Fender, a Squier, or an Epi. And once they get to like playing the guitar, they *might* decide it's worth saving or spending to get the USA-made version.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the guy/gal buying the clone wasn't going to be buying the USA model in the first place. By tapping into the lower-expense market, the brand would presumably obtain a customer they wouldn't have had otherwise.

Bill

The clone (an inaccurate term for "counterfeit", "fake", whatever, that tends to gloss over the illegal), put simply, dilutes the brand with a substandard instrument that looks like the real thing. The company's reputation is tarnished. This is one of the primary reasons for seeking and obtaining trademark protection.

The "brand" is a premium, boutique brand. RIC has always been an American company and over the past few decades, has been in great demand, when factory capacity is taken into account. Even if cheapos were possible to build Stateside (and costs prohibit that), why expend effort for less profit? RIC's profit margin is a fair one, taking into account their business model, so (hypothetically) why would anyone want to expend 80% of the effort for one quarter of the profits?

In other words, the brand doesn't want the low end customer.

There are no valid reasons for RIC to ever play on that field.

Apologies, perhaps I wasn't clear on the customer thing--the point was someone playing a similar, cheaper guitar might well aspire to want the USA model down the road when their fortunes and/or talents change. This appears to have worked fairly well for a number of high-end makers.

Whether or not the high-end maker wants to enter the entry-level market or not would seem a separate issue.

Just making conversation, Ric does what Ric wants and thinks best, and rightfully so.



Bill

You were 100% clear, Bill, to me.

I think I answered clearly, too. What part of "this will never happen" is unclear, I wonder?

I really wasn't trying to be argumentative Paul. I was just expressing a question and personal point of view--I doubt my life would change substantially whether Ric made entry level models or not, and I've certainly no illusions about Ric seeking my opinions! .

Cheers, Bill

jingle_jangle wrote:You were 100% clear, Bill, to me.

I think I answered clearly, too. What part of "this will never happen" is unclear, I wonder?

IMO, that's really harsh and uncalled for. Just because it will never happen doesn't mean it shouldn't be discussed by the membership here. I want a 360/12 with a wide neck and a reissued 360F. Should we never mention that either?

manta wrote:I don't have any RIC copies because they suck.

Tim

+1

freshmattyp wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:You were 100% clear, Bill, to me.

I think I answered clearly, too. What part of "this will never happen" is unclear, I wonder?

IMO, that's really harsh and uncalled for. Just because it will never happen doesn't mean it shouldn't be discussed by the membership here. I want a 360/12 with a wide neck and a reissued 360F. Should we never mention that either?

I can understand that feeling; I have a sensitive side, too. Now, go ahead and read my many posts on the same topic, along with several hundred by others. My own observations are clear-cut and backed by lots of posts by folks at RIC.

Now, I've got nothing personal against Bill; however, this topic has been done to death.

So, go ahead and talk about a 360/12 with a wide neck, and a 360F reissue, and I'll not comment, because these topics are not of interest to me, generally, Matt. It's a waste of time to flog a dead horse, which is what I find myself contributing to with this very post!

360s have never had wide necks, so why should they start now? Les Pauls have never been able to jangle, should we put toasters in them? Guitars are made up of certain characteristics that make them what they are. Suck it up and give in to carpal tunnel!