RIC Acoustics......

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Fri May 05, 2006 3:33 am

Got a question.... If the RIC isn't accepting any new orders for acoustics for a while. Where are the ones that have already been ordered? I checked out the 700C on the RIC site, it looks as though Rosetti Ltd got one in Jetglo.

Does RIC have schedules like producing one color for a month? Or do they do it in model runs, like- all the 360s for a month...??? I'm kinda curious..

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Fri May 05, 2006 3:47 am

I have a feeling that the few acoustics that have gone out recently were existing display stock rather than recently completed instruments. John Hall has also stated over on Vox Talks that they've lost their acoustic luthier and acoustic production is indefinitely suspended. He also talks about dropping the acoustic line all together and converting that factory space into electrics production. Not good news for folks who have acoustics on order (like me).

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:06 am

Oh wow... I have a 700c on order too.... And they can't post a job for one? What happened in the 50s and 60s, didn't they have a larger selection of models?

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:21 am

These acoustics are going to be more and more in demand and I suspect that their value will escalate considerably. It will be interesting to see what happens with regard to the Rickenbacker acoustic line. I hope that they fine another acoustic luthier before they convert that section to the electric line.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:31 am

One of the main problems in recruiting luthiers seems to be the high cost of living in the area of the RIC factory. I really hope Mr. Hall can come up with a solution - it would be a shame to see their acoustic production cease altogether.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:43 am

Steve....was that a recent posting by JH? If so that is surprising and will likely be an issue for the remaining LK's as well. I know John or Ben posted here in the past that the LK carver was also going to be in charge of ramping up the acoustic department when LK production was completed. Interesting.

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Fri May 05, 2006 5:54 am

I wonder if the 760J's will be effected? Or as they're CNC - maybe we'll be lucky?

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Fri May 05, 2006 6:05 am

You think an option to keep the acoustic line and to keep these "made in the USA" is to maybe have another facility in a lower cost type of area?

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Fri May 05, 2006 6:13 am

Hey Brian - yes, I was also thinking about the LK's when I read JH's posting (just in this last week). I wonder if that luthier was able to complete the remaining LK's before he left?

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri May 05, 2006 6:15 am

Who cares.....we got ours!

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Fri May 05, 2006 6:16 am

You really are Satan!

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Fri May 05, 2006 6:21 am

Here's John Hall's quote. Peter - if you feel posting this here is stepping on any toes, (John's or Nick's), please delete.

"The bad news is that we're just not been able to attract quality acoustic luthiers here to our county, due to the very high cost of living. The best guys seem to live in the rural parts of the country and there's literally no amount of money we could pay them to move. (Our chief luthier just left Rickenbacker University for Fender, exactly for the cost of living reasons.)

As such, there's not too many choices. We don't and won't "outsource", so I can't send the work to them. We could move or start a new factory elsewhere in an area that's more conducive, but then there's usually good reasons why an area is less expensive, among other considerations. Finally, we could drop them to concentrate on electrics only, using well the acoustic department's floor space and non-luthier labor to create a much needed increase electric guitar production capacity.

Tough choices."

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri May 05, 2006 7:01 am

Gentlemen, the last of the LKs have been completed. The last time I was at "Acoustic U.", it was on the bench receiving the final hand-touches to its acanthus leaves. That was some months ago.

It does appear, however, that there are some tough decisions being made in Santa Ana these days which may affect those with Rick acoustics on order...

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 05, 2006 7:14 am

Thanks for posting this information here Steve.

As it is public knowledge and you have credited Voxtalks as the source of the quote, I can't see how it would be stepping on toes.

Your sensitivity is, however, appreciated.

ben_hall · Post by **ben_hall** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:22 am

The Lemmy's are done, two will ship next week in fact.