Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Being relatively new to the bass (a little over a year) I always 'assumed' that Rickenbackers were overpriced until I did some research. Boy was I wrong. Here's the top of the line prices I've researched for some other makes: (This does not include signature/anniversary models)

Fender: $2299.99
Ibanez: $1899.99
ESP: $1399.99
Warwick: $4999.99
Musicman: $2520.00
Gibson: $2165.00
Gretsch: $3299.99
Modulus: $2569.00
Peavey: $2399.99
Warwick: $4999.99
Yamaha: $2399.99

Of course this only includes brands available at GC. Not to mention Pedulla and the botiques!

Jack

Are you implying that my two Zons are b@@teeque?

Rickenbackers overpriced? Not at all, I say. In fact, IMHO, you get quite a big bang for the buck when buying a new Rick.

paul_yan wrote:Rickenbackers overpriced? Not at all, I say. In fact, IMHO, you get quite a big bang for the buck when buying a new Rick.

I couldn't agree more.

paul_yan wrote:Rickenbackers overpriced? Not at all, I say. In fact, IMHO, you get quite a big bang for the buck when buying a new Rick.

+10!!!

Pedulla and the Boteeks. Band name ?

When I first really started paying attention to them late last year, I was kinda turned off thinking they didn't look that cool. They are now my #1 top favorite bass. They are beautiful and sound great. Overpriced? No...The people that don't like Rics seem to say this and spend more time than they should talking about product they don't like. Methinks they actually want one,but don't or can't for whatever reason.
Rics are the best!

Peacefrog35 wrote:The people that don't like Rics seem to say this and spend more time than they should talking about product they don't like.

I've noticed over the years that a lot of bassists like the tone, but just don't find Ricks all that comfortable to play, especially if they're used to Jazz basses or what have you. Personally I took to one the second I picked it up, but to each his own...hell, my bassist bought my '79 4001 and loves the thing, but 6 months ago he found it unwieldy.

The only reason Rics get the rap for being "overpriced" is because there aren't any $300 Made-in-China "beginner" instrumentse bearing the Rickenbacker name.


They just start the pricing off at the normal quality level, instead of starting at low prices with equally low quality.

I am 53 years old and have been playing bass since I was 12. IMHO ,there is no other bass that leans back better than 4000 body style Ric bass. By leaning back, I mean just that. Lean back, lift the neck up a bit, and rage. None of them feal as good as a Ric. None of them are as comfortable to play. Call me jaded. Mark

collin wrote:The only reason Rics get the rap for being "overpriced" is because there aren't any $300 Made-in-China "beginner" instrumentse bearing the Rickenbacker name.


They just start the pricing off at the normal quality level, instead of starting at low prices with equally low quality.

+1. Simply put, well put.

collin wrote:The only reason Rics get the rap for being "overpriced" is because there aren't any $300 Made-in-China "beginner" instrumentse bearing the Rickenbacker name. They just start the pricing off at the normal quality level, instead of starting at low prices with equally low quality.

I think it's also related to the fact that dealers can't publish actual prices, so everyone assumes MSRP is the going rate... which is a pretty silly assumption considering that nothing else works that way. (I don't know how many times I've read in a Ric-bashing thread, "I can't believe someone would pay $2,000 for a Ric..." the poster probably failing to realize that few if any people are paying $2,000 for your run-of-the-mill Ric.) Although, I have heard that some dealers (usually big boxes) charge MSRP 90% of the time and only offer a reasonable price during "special" sales. Smaller dealers like Pick of the Ricks, etc., seem to run good discounted prices 99% of the time.

People often think for instance that these basses cost way more than a new MIA Fender because of the difference in the MSRP of the former and the street price of the latter but in practice the difference is not large.

jps wrote:Are you implying that my two Zons are b@@teeque?

You would have two Zons.



can I borrow one?

I used to have three! My Three Zons!!! I sold the first one I got, a Sonus Special 5 fretless, when I got my Sonus 5/1 fretless.

Im one that belives everything is overpriced, even Ric's but I still buy everything !!!!!!!!!!!