Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My *new* 360/6 has a serial number indicating that it was manufactured in April 2004, yet it supposedly only arrived in Oz in the last couple of weeks.

John Hall has mentioned more than once that serial numbers are issued when the work order is created for the guitar. That would indicate to me that it was in WIP (work in progress) for anything up to 19 months. Seems a hell of a long time!!

I'm not complaining, however - the guitar is great! I'm just a little confused as I would have expected it to be an '05 build and a relatively recent one at that.

Any comments?

They employ a lone Balinese man who puts the Rics in his raft and paddles from the California coast to Oceania.

Howard, if you are concerned, you should speak to the distributor as we don't hang on to these for more than a day. You can also see from our website that on the 330 model page, recent shipments, that the distributor hasn't had any recently.

Curiouser and curiouser...

Rabbit hole, anyone?

Thank you, John. I'm not overly concerned, but I'd like an explanation!

Hmmmmm.... Alice In Wonderment?

We've all had to deal with 'layovers' but this pretty much sets a record.

I dunno, Stan. Yours had us worried a bit...

Sherlock Aitch and Doctor What The?... on the job today!!

Well, the dealer has told me that the guitar came from another dealer in Queensland who went 'belly up' (bankrupt), and it's been tied up for at least 12 months due to liquidation 'difficulties'.

I have sent an email to the managing director of the distribution company seeking an explanation and answers to some questions - without divulging what I have already been told. Sneaky, ain't I?

We'll see what he has to say......

There are a few small marks on the back of the neck that indicate to me that it's spent a fair bit of time on a stand..... hope not.

The other thing to consider, of course, is if it is liquidated stock, who's won or lost on the deal? I could be pessimistic and say "probably me"!!

You might have lost a bit, but you also won big time, Aitch!!!

True... another Rick is always a win!

Aitch,

Technically that's not a new guitar if it has changed hands albeit at the dealership level. I wonder if you talk to them (nicely) if they will give you a bit of a discount?

I'll evaluate the response from the distributor when (hopefully) I get it and decide on my next step then, Brian. The strings are a bit ****** (and I've told him that), so if I get a new set as compensation at least that's something!

I understood that, until the guitar passes into the hands of a consumer, as long as it remains within the authorized dealer/distributor network, it's a new guitar.

Nothin' personal, Aitch.

I have to agree with you Paul somewhat, but more especially if we are talking about current year stock. There are some mitigating circumstances in this transaction however. The situation gets clouded when Howard has contracted with the seller to buy a "new" guitar. Then after delivery he notices that there are wear marks (possibly from a guitar stand)on the guitar. Upon further examination it is then realized that it is last years model and in support of that notion the strings have oxidized. I presume that none of these abnormalities were disclosed at the the time of offer and acceptance?

I would be listening to my customer if I were that distributors position. The customer is always right but more importantly, in a small market, perception is 9/10ths of the law.

It's worth a try Aitch, especially if he understands your position and he gives you something in the way of compensation.