Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm a patient guy, but 2 years 8 months is a bit more of a wait than I originally had in mind when I ordered my Lemmy 4004LK. John Hall, Kenny Howes - c'mon guys, at least give us an update on production. Did you find another carver after your original carver went to work for F**nder?

Uuuh. I don't think you are ever going to see that Lemmy my friend.

I'm just looking for some clarification on the issue. If they are they going to be released, how about giving us a timeframe. If, as you suggest, Rickenbacker has no intention of producing the remaining 4004LK's, then RIC should be up front about it. I for one expect that the 4004LK will be produced, but I understand that there were some production issues. If anyone from RIC can shed a light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

If Ric has no intention of producing these guitars, they had better advise the dealers who took a 20% deposit (or more) on them three years ago to be crediting back their customers. It's one thing to wait when you are just waiting, but when your money is tied up in a preorder, there better damn well be delivery.

Looks like we're in the same boat Jeff! Anyone else here waiting on a 4004LK?

Steve, I wasn't (un)fortunate enough to get in on the Lemmy preorders (no funds, bad timing), but I do know that most dealers took deposits, and if I were one of the people whose order hasn't been fulfilled, I would certainly be demanding my cash back, along with a place in line if these ever ship. I'm pretty sure it is illegal to hold a deposit for more than a few months, and there is no telling how many dealers may go out of business or lose their Ric distribution before orders ship, if they ever do.

Jeff, I do have a deposit down with a reputable dealer (Mike Parks), but I have been willing to wait it out based on the assumption that the 4004LK's would eventually ship. This is why I would like RIC to update those who have been patiently waiting. If the 4004LK isn't going to be produced, I would like to be told so I can get my deposit back.

Hi Steve, I'm another member of the patience-is-a-necessity-not-a-virtue 4004LK club. It would be awfully nice to get a status report every few months, even if the report is only "we're still looking for someone to carve them".

Hi Doug, I agree that updates would be nice, just to let us know that things are progressing. At this point I would be happy hearing that they'll be produced at all!

The problem with having deposits like this is that you have no recourse if the product never ships. If you paid by credit card, by law they have to keep you informed of any backorders, or they are supposed to refund your money. You only have a certain window of opportunity to dispute credit card payments, and 3 years is way outside of that.

While it is not Ric who is demanding the deposits, their slower than molasses production is one thing that irritates me, especially when they know their dealers are taking people's money for something that won't be produced in an acceptable timeframe.

Even though my dealer has never made me put down a deposit on an order, I've pretty much given up buying new Rics. I'm using the used market a lot more these days, and will only order if there is something specific I want that isn't already available.

I thought we have RIC problems in The Netherlands, having no distributer, and no parts, but it seems global...... I can't understand if you have people who wan't to buy the stuff, do everything to produce it, or....or ......am I crazy?

Since lemmy's probably getting a slice of the pie, let him carve 'em. Imagine they'd have an even greater collector's value, no matter how bad of a job he'd done on them!