Saw some Rics today
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:20 pm
Today I took a trip to the House of Guitars in Rochester. They had a few Rics in stock, including a C64s and a 325C58. I could have walked out with the C64s for $1900. They advertise a 40% off everything sale, but all their prices are list prices, so they essentially bring the prices down to street price. For instance, there was a Sting P bass priced at $800 and change, whereas the street price is usually from $499 to $599. The 40% brings it to that price range. Actually, even with the 40% off, they are still higher prices than I am accustomed to at the local Buffalo-area stores. The C64s was priced right around $2900 and he said he’d let it go for $2000. After 10 seconds, he went to $1900, which is a fair price for the sanded model, and I’m sure he would have dropped a little more if he new I was really interested. I didn’t want him to get too carried away; if I let him, I might have been $1900 in debt right now. After seeing it in person, though, I really have a soft spot for the fireglo standard C64 and am glad that I have one on order.
It was my first trip to the H.O.G. in 6 or 7 years, and it is almost like a culture shock to go inside. The store has a real vibe to it; right away you know it is one-of-a-kind. The first thing you notice is how everything is displayed. They have all these valuable instruments in shelf after unpadded shelf, and a good majority of guitars are touching the guitar directly next to it. You see knobs resting against the back of another body, headstocks resting against headstocks, etc. In fact, to pick up a guitar, you have to be extremely careful, as it is almost guaranteed to be touching another guitar. There were two Hofner Cavern reissues next to the C64s, and they looked like Siamese twins they were so close, and the headstocks were touching. They were leaning against the support, with the back of the top Hofner resting against the top of the back Hofner, (wow, try to visualize that!) It was quite a trick to get the C64 and a Hofner out to look at, I’ll tell you. My goodness, I don’t keep my gear at home close enough to touch each other for fear of preventable damage. If they get dinged or bumped from normal use, I can somewhat deal with that, but not in a store when they are brand new. Oh well, that may be the charm of this store, and for cramming in dozens more than could normally fit, that is the cost they have to pay. It is an amazing store, and a lot of fun to see their unique inventory.
Overall, there were 10-12 Rics, mostly 330’s and 360’s. The 325C58 was a beauty; in person they are simply gorgeous. There was one mapleglo 360-style body with the checkerboard binding (not sure of the model, but it the one in the brochure. It was also really gorgeous in person.) There were no 600 series guitars, unfortunately, as I always love that style. There were two basses from what I saw, a jetglo 4003 and the C64s. There were no used Rics to be seen. Of course, they have guitars high, low, behind, so it is hard to notice everything.
When comparing all the different makes, the Rics certainly stand out on a pedestal. There is such a distinct class to each and every one of them, and all are works of art. It is always a pleasure to see a Rickenbacker in a store. To see one in person for sale is a rare occurrence, so it is always awesome when you do see one. Also, comparing side by side, which I have done many times, the Rics have the best quality control of all, in my opinion. The finishes are spectacular, and the craftsmanship is superb. They are all alone at the top in this department, in my opinion. If I had to pick close rivals for paint and finish, it would be Gretsch and Made In Japan Fenders. Without a doubt, though, Rickenbacker has them all beat!
Another thing they had on display was a 360 body, cut down the middle from headstock to heal, allowing for a nice cross-section of the upper, hollow side of the body. It really allows one to see the fine construction. It was quite cool to see, and even with its sawed-in-half condition, the workmanship was like no other. For the diehards out there, it was mapleglo! Find yourself 3 tuners and 3 strings, and ……..oh, never mind, the control panels and jack were missing.
Anybody looking for Vox bass cabinets and amps, they had 4 or 5 sets in varying degrees of condition, the best being in very good condition, cosmetically. They are cool, looking; pure Beatles.
I didn’t intend to be this long winded, but thought I’d share my trip with everybody.
It was my first trip to the H.O.G. in 6 or 7 years, and it is almost like a culture shock to go inside. The store has a real vibe to it; right away you know it is one-of-a-kind. The first thing you notice is how everything is displayed. They have all these valuable instruments in shelf after unpadded shelf, and a good majority of guitars are touching the guitar directly next to it. You see knobs resting against the back of another body, headstocks resting against headstocks, etc. In fact, to pick up a guitar, you have to be extremely careful, as it is almost guaranteed to be touching another guitar. There were two Hofner Cavern reissues next to the C64s, and they looked like Siamese twins they were so close, and the headstocks were touching. They were leaning against the support, with the back of the top Hofner resting against the top of the back Hofner, (wow, try to visualize that!) It was quite a trick to get the C64 and a Hofner out to look at, I’ll tell you. My goodness, I don’t keep my gear at home close enough to touch each other for fear of preventable damage. If they get dinged or bumped from normal use, I can somewhat deal with that, but not in a store when they are brand new. Oh well, that may be the charm of this store, and for cramming in dozens more than could normally fit, that is the cost they have to pay. It is an amazing store, and a lot of fun to see their unique inventory.
Overall, there were 10-12 Rics, mostly 330’s and 360’s. The 325C58 was a beauty; in person they are simply gorgeous. There was one mapleglo 360-style body with the checkerboard binding (not sure of the model, but it the one in the brochure. It was also really gorgeous in person.) There were no 600 series guitars, unfortunately, as I always love that style. There were two basses from what I saw, a jetglo 4003 and the C64s. There were no used Rics to be seen. Of course, they have guitars high, low, behind, so it is hard to notice everything.
When comparing all the different makes, the Rics certainly stand out on a pedestal. There is such a distinct class to each and every one of them, and all are works of art. It is always a pleasure to see a Rickenbacker in a store. To see one in person for sale is a rare occurrence, so it is always awesome when you do see one. Also, comparing side by side, which I have done many times, the Rics have the best quality control of all, in my opinion. The finishes are spectacular, and the craftsmanship is superb. They are all alone at the top in this department, in my opinion. If I had to pick close rivals for paint and finish, it would be Gretsch and Made In Japan Fenders. Without a doubt, though, Rickenbacker has them all beat!
Another thing they had on display was a 360 body, cut down the middle from headstock to heal, allowing for a nice cross-section of the upper, hollow side of the body. It really allows one to see the fine construction. It was quite cool to see, and even with its sawed-in-half condition, the workmanship was like no other. For the diehards out there, it was mapleglo! Find yourself 3 tuners and 3 strings, and ……..oh, never mind, the control panels and jack were missing.
Anybody looking for Vox bass cabinets and amps, they had 4 or 5 sets in varying degrees of condition, the best being in very good condition, cosmetically. They are cool, looking; pure Beatles.
I didn’t intend to be this long winded, but thought I’d share my trip with everybody.
