An E-Mail I sent to Rickenbacker

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 4:13 am

Jeffrey - It's true.

I own no Rics, and no 4001, but a lapel pin. I fooled you all. Thanks to Photoshop and a blury effect.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:27 am

There are 4 GC's within one hour of my house, the last few years before they were discontinued they all had several V63's and couldn't give them away, I bought two of them brand new for about a grand each after they discontinued them. That could have something to do with why they won't re-reissue them.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:56 am

I like the idea of a model rotation (bass models, not two legged, my wife wouldn't approve). For one, it should make my V63's value go up (not that I ever plan on selling it). It keeps things fresh. I just hope a V68 will be next and it won't take 20 years to start making them. Though I may have enough saved up by then!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:58 am

that's probably why they quit making the 4003s ... they didn't sell enough of them ... but once they quit making them they become "collectable" and everybody wants one ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:51 am

Ken: you know it is cool that John Hall is reachable and answers e-mail ... when is the last time anybody you know recieved an e-mail from the ceo of Gibson or Fender?

as per posting his answer ... you have to evaulate if it was meant to be a private conversation or not ... and respect that ...

John is usually very gracious and polite and also non-committal about new model releases ...

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:57 pm

Jeffrey said: My girlfriend never bought ME a Les Paul! Consider yourself lucky.

Oh, I'm very lucky

Never been able to get the Paul in tune, though - and talk about a skinny neck....

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 3:44 pm

Looks like it!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 6:06 am

That seems to be exactly it Jeff, when and if they discontinue the new C64's with reverse headstocks or change them everyone will be clamoring for them and they'll double in value. haha!
BTW I live near Boston so this isn't exactly a small market.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 6:08 am

I think discontinuing 4003's would be a BIG mistake. That would be like discontinuing P basses by Fender.

kbhag · Post by **kbhag** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 7:58 am

below

kbhag · Post by **kbhag** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:01 am

Bob, no one is suggesting discontinuing ANY models! Please, keep them ALL available!!! (Hey, if the Chris Squire was available right now, even as a special order, I would be at my local Ric dealer right now instead of sitting at a computer)

What I am suggestion is INCREASING the offerings.
We, the customers would be able to purchase more product, Ric would be able to sell more product.

A win-win situation.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:11 am

Kenneth - did you ever check with John Hall to see if he'd mind you posting his response to your question? I'm sure everyone here would be interested in his comments.

kbhag · Post by **kbhag** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:28 am

Hi Steve, I did send him an e-mail asking if it would be OK to post his reply, he just has not got back to me yet. I'm sure he's busy 24/7 running the factory. Plus the NAMM show is right around the corner so I'll just wait and see.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 12:00 pm

they are not discontinuing the 4003 bass ... but I mentioned they discontinued the 4003"s" models ... and the reason was lack of sales ... and they discontinued the 4001"s" and the 4001v63 ... which is an "s" model ... the only "s" model available is the 4001c64 ...

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 12:09 pm

I had answered Ken but his e-mail bounces. I'll break my rule again and post my response to him for what it's worth:

>The upside down headstock feature is un-attractive.

Your personal opinion, of course. Fortunately the market in general doesn't agree with you otherwise we wouldn't have a long backlog for these.

>Bring back the 4001 V63

It will never, ever happen. It was a stop gap that no longer has a useful purpose.

>Offer a limited edition 4001 “Rose Morris” 1999 Bass with finger rest!(in fireglo only)

Maybe.

>Offer a 1963 type 4000 bass.

Unlikely. There is no market whatsoever for a one pickup bass.

>Offer a 1968 type 4001 with the checkerboard binding/horseshoe/toaster.
>(Include a finger rest)

Most likely of what you wrote and another reason why you'll never see a 4001V63.

>Custom Shop basses to include certain features, CS neck profile, 4000 body, checkerboard binding etc.

We started to organize this a number of years ago when we finally thought we had sufficient standard goods production capacity. We organized a fairly slick system including auto-quote software. But the capacity-order equilibrium lasted about a month. When we are able to cut our one year lead time down to about two months then we could seriously consider such a thing.