Anybody knows why Ric is going up?

1rr3l3v4n7 · Post by **1rr3l3v4n7** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 4:39 pm

2005 Guitar World Buyer Guide:
4003 =1529$
4004Cii=1749$
4004L =1749$[/size]

2006 Guitar World Buyer Guide:
4003 =1639$
4004Cii=2089$
4004L =1869$[/size]

It`s not a big rise (Except maybe for the 4004cii... wich could be because gold is more expensive nowadays) but is there an interesting reason to this, or is this just a normal economic phaenomenon ?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:06 pm

Wow, that's a heck of a handle to remember, Karl!!

I heard they raised prices a little this year, but hadn't raised them in quite a long time, so they were way overdue. John Hall explained it somewhere on here...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:24 pm

Price basses from other American makers. If you want one with comparable quality to a Rickenbacker, you'll find much higher prices. The RIC increase still makes the prices more affordable in comparison.

1rr3l3v4n7 · Post by **1rr3l3v4n7** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:24 pm

HAHA!!!!

This is SO true!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:50 am

supply, demand...

john_l · Post by **john_l** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:11 pm

Even with the headstocks on upside-down they sell them faster than they can make them.

1rr3l3v4n7 · Post by **1rr3l3v4n7** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:21 pm

Faster than 9 months ???

(that's the time it takes to get one on order... as told by a RIC custumer service representative)

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:12 pm

Well Karl, consider a few things here:

1) Rickenbacker is a much smaller company than Gibson or Fender. It has no overseas manufacturing capability; everything is built in Santa Ana, CAlifornia. Rics are a bit popular and demand is exceeding supply at the moment.

2) From what I've been told, Rickenbacker does not produce its entire line all the time. They tool up and produce instruments in batches, unlike Fender, where Strats are made all the time.

3) The price increases you list above are the first ones Rickenbacker has done in five years. What's the longest time in recent memory the other manufacturers have held their prices?

I know it can be frustrating to wait on something. I ordered a 4001C64 in March and I may see it around Christmas, but I knew that up front. Given Rickenbacker's fit and finish as compared to its competition, I'd say Rics are worth the wait and the price.

1rr3l3v4n7 · Post by **1rr3l3v4n7** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:33 pm

Ouch! You make me feel kinda sorry...

I understand what you mean... I was just asking.

Oh, and by the way, it would be less frustrating to wait after a Fender or any other big name (except maybe a Gretch G1255)...

Damn I just can't wait to hear that Ric-O-Sound of mine (I ordered it on April)!!!

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:54 pm

Don't worry, it will be well worth the wait.

edski · Post by **edski** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:18 am

Also, depending on what you want, you might be able to find it "out there". I was all ready to wait the year and order a mapleglo Laredo. But then Pick Of The Ricks put a Fireglo Laredo up for sale and I grabbed it.

Had to wait a week from that point.

If you're looking for a deal on a used 4001/3, and only concerned about it being a great instrument, not a specific rare twist, then the chances come around, and folks onthe board LOVE talking about the Ricks out there for sale.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:46 am

Those are list prices. My local RIC dealer sells a 4003 for under $1100 US.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:48 am

"folks onthe board LOVE talking about the Ricks out there for sale."

How true. You don't know how many Rics I found out about hanging around here. The best one was a 4003s/5 at Elderly Instruments for $1050 last March. Someone on this forum managed to get a great '72 4001 at a fantastic price. Just keep hanging around here.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:49 am

BTW, what did you order?

maplered · Post by **maplered** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:49 am

FYI, that original $1749 price on the 4004Cii was not accurate. I bought one from Mike Parks several months and inquired about the list price. I believe it was more like $1949.