The Continuing Saga of "Rickenbacker in the Heartland"

[jimk]

I decided to start this here rather than in Group Theapy for Future Rick Owners.

It has come to my attention through PMs that there is a certain amount of interest in my...situation...regarding my future Rick. (Flattering to be sure, but perhaps a little unwarranted) A couple of plans were hatched, one of which I floated by the dealer with whom I placed the order.

In a previous episode: I placed my order on May 9, 2007. The dealer placed his order at RIC for my guitar on May 10, 2007.

And now the saga continues. Meanwhile, back at the RRF, creative and imaginative minds have hatched several ingenious, and legal plans to expedite the sale of one Rickenbacker model 360/12 string guitar in fireglo finish. Having my doubts that any of these creative and imaginative plans would be acceptable to our Dealer of Choice, I selected the most plausible and forwarded the details to him.

The scene now cuts to the chase. The upshot is I've been informed that (as we all know) RIC make their guitars in batches; that the dealer doesn't expect to receive his shipment until the summer of '09; that the plan for an expedited sale is unacceptable to the dealer. So it looks like another seven to eight months for me!

How will our Rickless Hero in the Heartland find consolation? Will the money saved up in his bank account continue to burn a hole in his pocket? And what of the little gadgets, effects pedals, guitar chords, straps, and the Vox Amplug AC30 on order from Musician's Friend International? Will they lie unused beside the big vintage Kustom K-200 series amp longing for the arrival of The Awaited One?

Stay tuned......[cue end theme]

JimK

[CrestingWave]

Hi, Jim:

I have no idea who your dealer of choice is... but, I would certainly hope that he is making you one hell of a sweet deal to keep you waiting until next summer for a basic Ric 360/12 FG.

BTW, those fine folks at Musician's Friend seem to indicate the arrival of a 360/12 FG around 12/31/2008... I didn't check their pricing, but I purchased my 330/6 JG from them a couple of months ago at very nice discount off of factory list. Sure, I had to get a set-up done, but even after that, it was still a very good deal. Food for thought anyway, if your order is not entirely pre-paid.

Good luck,

JR

[deaconblues]

Meanwhile at Dave's Guitar, a gorgeous flamed maple 360/12FG waits for a buyer...

Seriously, if it were me, I'd dump the order and buy one in stock somewhere. 7-8 more months of waiting for this guitar is ludicrous.

[Scastles]

Jim, I have to agree with the others. The backlog appears to be thinning out somewhat. There are a few dealers who have a fair amount of stock. It seems a 360/12 FG could be obtained quicker than sometime next summer.

[Ric O'Sound]

Jim, as you probably know, I've been suffering sympathetically with you since the "Group Therapy" thread began.

I tend to agree with the others here. IMHO, waiting for years just to save a few hundred bucks borders on ludicrous. If there are dealers with 360/12 FGs in stock right now, you could have one in your hot little mitts within a matter of days. To me, having the guitar in my hands right now that I've longed for and being able to enjoy it right now (instead of possibly seven or eight months from now) is worth a hell of a lot more than the difference in price, no matter how sweet the original deal my be. What good is the money you saved on a guitar you don't have? If you think about it rationally, you really haven't saved any money yet, because you don't have the guitar!

Life's too short, Jim. Grab one now and get something out of it. Assuming your original order does get filled in June or July, you'll have had seven or eight months of Rickenbacker pleasure in the meantime. I don't know about you, but a half a year of my life is precious to me and worth a heck of a lot more than a few hundred bucks.

Think it over.

All the best,
Danny

[nukebass]

Ah, you're but a waiting newbie

[kiramdear]

If I had the money burning a hole in my pocket I'd go with the consensus.

The only way I would order one like you did is if I wanted to buy it $100 a month for a nice little dividend to come in down the line. But my first and only rick? You're of stronger moral fiber than I am

against all previous claims I am thinking of ordering a 2008(9) 12-string by that method now, having seen some of the things that are coming off the line these Ben's finishes and the FWIs, headstocks are pushing me right over the edge.

[jimk]

I admit that I'm a tight-wadded, skinflint, cheapskate old Dutchman. So losing $200.00 US just sticks sideways in my throat.

I checked in with MFI. And their current going price is $2.200.00 and change, or basically what the MSRP was in May, '07. I could be wrong, but I have a very strong suspicion that could very well be the rock bottom price at any dealer. I'll be blunt. I have $1460.00 and change. The Rick from Rhoads' Music is going to cost me $1250.00. I don't believe for a second I'm going to find a deal like that in 2008-09.

Now...whose mind did I change with hard numbers? Anybody...?













I thought not. OK I'm sticking with plan A. And no more kvetching from me. I promise.

JimK

[jps]

Ben's finishes and the FWIs, headstocks are pushing me right over the edge.

You do mean Eric's finishes, right?

[cjj]

I guess it depends a lot on your circumstances. I've had a 4003MG on order since Mar '07. The wait is no big deal to me since I had a 4001 already and have since acquired an '84 4003. I got a really good price on it from a small dealer I've known for a long time. I'm really happy he's getting my business and that I saved a few hundred bucks. The wait has also gotten me full width inlays and probably the new UV finish, though that doesn't matter a whole lot since I'm probably going to do a number of mods to it, like black binding, maybe even checkerboard.

Now, if I didn't already have a couple of Ricks and really wanted one now, sure, I'd do as others have suggested and look for one in stock, even if I had to pay a bit more...

ooh, just saw your last post, $2200 from MF? Now I feel even better waiting, that's more than twice what I'll pay for my new one. Ouch!

[kiramdear]

Ben's finishes and the FWIs, headstocks are pushing me right over the edge.

You do mean Eric's finishes, right?

D'oh! Pardon my lysdexic typewroter. I'm having a senior moment. Yes, I meant Eric's beautiful work.

[lyric_girl]

Jim,

I was gonna join the camp that said to dump your order and just buy one from another dealer now. However, now that you gave the pricing update, I would be more inclined to stick with your order.

I sincerely hope that my 360/6 does not arrive before your 360/12.

Keep hanging in.

Lynda

[johnallg]

Let's keep this simple; for almost a grand, sit tight. Getting tight might help the wait too!

[deaconblues]

I guess you've swayed me too, but this story just goes to show how out-of-hand the backlog has gotten.

[jimk]

Let's keep this simple; for almost a grand, sit tight. Getting tight might help the wait too!

Hey! I'll drink to that!!

JimK