Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Mr. Hall said in a recent post that bluebursts were scheduled for "production" for the first week of August (or thereabouts) for 4003s and then continuing on for 360-12s etc.

I'm just wondering... What is the time schedule for the production of these guitars? Does this mean the 4003s will be cut and formed and made and then painted (basically the whole production) starting in August? How long does that usually take?

Also, I'm not sure how big the production facility is in Santa Ana (I wish RIC would have a Willy Wonka like event where some lucky people could actually see the facility... wouldn't that be amazing?) Anyway, does this mean that the whole factory is making 4003s and then once the run is done, the factory shifts to making 360-12s and then on to the next model? If so, how long does it take to make the 360-12s?

Does RIC make ALL the planned 4003s at once and then ship them all at the same time, or do we tend to see 4003s come out daily as they are finished? For example, if Ed Roman (or any other dealer) says he ordered 40 360-12 bluebursts, would he get a few at a time or does his shipment need to be filled entirely before shipping?

Mr. Hall also tended to give the heads up that Japanese and/or UK dealers may get the bulk of these babies first. Is there any sort of deal that gives one dealer preference over another?

Just wondering if anyone knows.

I think it would also be really cool to know how much time and work actually goes into one of these beauties... It would only make me appreciate it all that more.

By the way, I have a 360-12 Blueburst on order and I already own a 4003. It's the best instrument I own. Plays like warm butter. Also, this is my first post. Pleased to meet all of you.

Pleezed tameetcha too, Brad. That's a lotta questions.

Ben? Are you reading?

"I wish RIC would have a Willy Wonka like event where some lucky people could actually see the facility... wouldn't that be amazing?"

Be careful of what you ask........

JW... LOL

You're getting better at it. That one looks "almost" real.

I made the switch to Photoshop!

Remember, in Willy Wonka the lucky 'kid' becomes owner of the factory.

Watch out for this guy too.

The three-headed oompaloompa!

But man, can he harmonize!

Good question...

The entire factory does not make only one series at a time. Production schedules call for x number of guitars to be completed within three weeks (for all models). However, guitars may get delayed at various points due to rigorous inspection.

At any given time the factory is working on between four to seven different production orders due to quality control (guitars with blemishes or bad sanding get kicked back until they are fixed).

Instruments on any given production run ship to our various dealers as they come through. So let's say Ed has 30 620's on order, he'll only get maybe a few at a time as they come through depending on where he is in the order line and since so many other dealers have those on order as well. Also, no dealer gets special treatment. It just so happens that the Japanese tend to pull the trigger first and order earlier, and bigger, than anyone else.

Feel free to inquire more if this did not answer your question.

OK, here's one for you, Ben:

When will you be doing your goodwill lecture tour and Powerpoint presentation?

I can guarantee packed houses from coast to coast. Brammy'll handle Hawaii, Tony Carey and Lefty will do the UK, and we've got Aitch for Oz. Any other volunteers?

Of course, Ben will need lodging and entertainment, too...

Yes... Entertain me...

Think I'll skip the tour stop in the UK though!

I've already booked the venue and ordered the canapes and cocktail components for the post-lecture reception!!

The dancing girls are easy, but getting the Beatles back together for the night will no doubt be just a smidge difficult!!

Shall I book the Presidential Suite at the Hyatt, Ben?

Man, if there's easy girls gonna be there, count me in!

Thanks for the response Ben. In short, there is no real expectation for any line to get through production then. A set of 4003s may be scheduled to get through in three weeks, but if you run into wood or sanding or paint defects, the line may be delayed an interminable amount of time, if I understand correctly.

Allow me to ask this then,
Does RIC have optimal (meaning everything goes perfectly) times it sets takes to produce a 4003, or a 360, or a 360-12 or a 620? For example 21 days for a 4003, or 24 days for a 360, or 28 days for a 360-12? And then for production purposes, does RIC consider a production to be running "late" if it goes over that time period (for accounting purposes or scheduling purposes)? Just wondering how much time on average is spent on different models... My guess is that the 300s take longer than the 600s... which take about as long as the 4000s. The acoustic take the longest?

Or does RIC not put such pressures on its employees? (leaving a pure labor of love?) Hah, or am I just a guitar romantic?

And if there are any RIC presentations or receptions (NAMM excluded) I'd pay to go to that! Thanks guys!

You misunderstood me, JH. They won't be easy girls - they'll be easy dancing girls!!