The "P Series" - The Players' Series

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 12:38 pm

To me it's absolutely disappointing looking at the new C-Series, because I hoped RIC would do a step forward in crafting a NEW line of modern guitars, not just copying a guitar from way back of the 50s. Looking at the 325 (and especially the Kauffman Vibrato!) - it seems not to be a guitar you'd take out on stage. It's a "Buy-it-and-put-it-behind-glass-guitar", and that's a real pity. It's a collector's instrument, but where are the player's instruments?? Okay, my 330 is great anyway...but to my opinion RIC should not always look back to their glorious past, just look forward to get the attraction of young guitarists, who want a good sounding and playing guitar for playing all night on stage with it (and an instrument that won't ruin your young family!!).

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 5:22 pm

I am disappointed as well. Don't get me wrong- I am a big Beatles fan, and as much as I would like to own one of the C series guitars, I know it ain't gonna happen any time soon. Rather, I would have liked to have seen a new model geared towards the player rather than the collector- something affordable but with that distinctive Rickenbacker design & playability- a new 200 series mabye?

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 5:25 pm

Peter and Kyle: I would be very surprised if RIC introduced everything that they plan to do in 2001 on January 18th at NAMM. I am optimistic that there are some more guitars in the works.

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 5:50 pm

I remain optimistic as well- I know John Hall listens to us Rickenbacker nuts- I just get a little worried because I see all of these other guitar companies (GIBSON, ahem) releasing 50 different versions of their established models with inflated price tags. And I get sick of seeing Strats all the time. I guess more than anything I hope Rickenbacker doesn't decide to head in that direction.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 6:35 pm

I recently bought a 650 Atlantis ( this model has the humbuckers). To my unprofessional ears I can get that Ric jangle from the bridge pickup, but the middle and neck positions give a whole different kind of RIC sound. In the short time I have had this guitar I have just about fallen in love with it. I thought I might have trouble with the wider neck...no such problems. I really like the Crest Wave style RICs, but I too was hoping for a new guitar from Rickenbacker.

I don't have a problem with Rickenbacker replacing the 325v63 with a C series. If the demand from Beatle fans is that big for an exact copy...then it's good business to give it to them. Rickenbacker is a company like any other, and they need to make a profit. However, I do agree that I too would like to see 1 or 2 NEW models.

Basically with the exception of the 660s, (which are basically the Tom Petty Limited Edtion without his signature) the last NEW electric guitar from Rickenbacker was the 650 series...10 years ago.

BTW I won't go into the fact that the Tom Petty guitar is actually based on Mike Campbell's 625 12 string guitar and the one Ric that Petty uses all the time is a Reissue 1997. In fact, except for the video Into The Great Wide Open, I have never seen Tom Petty even use his limited edition Ric!???!

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 6:51 pm

So I am curious. Just what would the "Player Series" be?

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 7:27 pm

I am afraid that these guys want another "Strat" or "Les Paul" clone, Crikey!! The C Series seems the logical place for RIC to start anew. Now you can look forward to Summer NAMM, yea!

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 12:08 am

No, I said exactly the opposite- I DON'T want another Strat or Les Paul clone. I would just like a Rickenbacker that's a little more 21st century instead of duplicates of models from 40-odd years ago.

LONNY · Post by **LONNY** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 12:55 am

you just wait and see what it does to the used Rick market....
check out used Gibson prices now.....
Whats really wrong with the V series....
You may pay 3000.00 or 4000.00 for a 58 company clone, but it isnt ever going to be a real 58....
why not just get a v59 and make it as close as you can.....
not trying to spoil the party...so I'll goooooo...
Lon Moore

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 3:36 am

Hey, you anonymous guy! Have you ever wondered why the young players are eager on a Strat or a Les Paul and not on a RIC? Don't tell me anything else! Where are the RIC lead players on telly and on stage? I'm here in South Germany and I can see them NOWHERE. (Yes, we do have television). I mean RIC shouldn't only build on their reputation as the company for the one or two greatest rhythm guitarists in the world, there should also be another model for the modern lead player - okay, you might say, what about the 650? But thats just one guitar they have (no matter if you call it Atlantis or Dakota or whatever, it's one model in different colours and body woods) and have you ever seen Carlos playing with one?!? I'm sick getting comments on my RICs like "Hey, an oldie-guitar!" or "Rhythm-player, eh?". I'm gonna buy a 650 Sierra from ebay, not because I'm so in love with it, but I need a guitar with a wider neck and hotter pickups...and I love those RICs...I'm playing them and not have hanging them on the wall as a collectors item.

Frank_S · Post by **Frank_S** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 8:48 am

I bet you that all those new Gibsons and Fenders will be new old stock in alot of music stores in two years because people want sunburst Strats and flametop les pauls, not new fangled ,ultra modern designs.
I'd like to share a quick story of two guitars:
a 650atlantis and several 325v63's.
Both guitars came into a local store in 1998.
The v63 sold in two days, only to be replaced by another one, that sold that week. The 650 is still there.
Now, you tell me who did their market research!
People want the old designs and until one of us Rick hotshots hits Empty-vee with a 650 or a new Rick, expect people to want the old designs!

From the number of 200 series guitars I've seen sitting in East Coast shops, they weren't exactly a success the first time around.

Also, comparitively, Rickenbacker is a small operation. You don't have to wait 6 mos. for a Fender or Gibson. Only PRS has a wait like Rick.
This means they are selling the Guitars they are making. Why not stick to what works? You can't complain about ricks:American made and cheap when compared to the comp. I've also noticed a level of quality in Ricks that Gibson and Fender can't
touch(unless you buy a historic).

Who cares about the used market? The cheaper the better. Those Historic Gibsons are not worth their price anyway. And Fenders are so inconsistent it's not funny.

If new designs are what you want, buy a Parker.
What do you want a seven string Rick? A Floyd rose? Holographic paint? A Talent Knob?Lights in the body...
oh they already did that.

Sorry to spaz, but I'm sick of Rick bashing, either nit picking over Vintage Designs or "why don't they make new Ricks?". Rickenbacker cares more about it's market than any other large company. End of rant.....

Nick_Thiel · Post by **Nick_Thiel** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 9:05 am

I have been privy to some of the behind the scenes development at Rickenbacker and I can tell you that there was a least one new model that might have been intended for NAMM but just did get out the door because of time restrictions. This was a new state of the art "players" guitar that has been worked on over the last year. Perhaps it will turn up in the near future at some point, who knows? Or perhaps it will get shelved. They are listening but you need to realize that this stuff takes a lot of time and they aren't going to just throw something together, they are very keen on quality and providing their customers with great guitars.

When we started working on the 325c58 last January, I think the projected ship date was in April 2000, then it got pushed to June 2000 and then it got pushed to January 2001. Have a little faith guys, now that these V series guitars have been replaced there is room for something new.

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 10:05 am

Why should I have to buy a Parker? Rickenbacker obviously listened to the collectors with the C series, so why can't they listen to the players, especially younger ones like me, who will be collectors down the road?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 10:08 am

Kyle: As Nick has suggested, I really think RIC is listening to newer guitarists, however, these endeavours take time and the corporation has to be very sure that the market is there. Not every new instrument is successful.

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 10:09 am

BTW, forgot to add, I really enjoy your site, Nick- I've been lurking since day one, and you guys have some really cool conversations.