Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I buy guitars because of The Beatles. Right now I probably have more Beatle guitars than The Beatles ever did. I want something else!

And that something else is a Rickenbacker 481. This forum was the first place I had ever learned about that guitar. It was "Wow" at first sight. What are the chances of Ric ever producing this guitar again? Clearly there are examples of Ric going back to the vaults and manufacturing past guitars for present days. Would a 481 ever be one of those past guitars?

Never say never, but never. Oops.

There are lots of original examples out there and they cost less than a reissue would cost. Go for it!

They did a 12 string one off version last year! But I think it unlikely they will ever back into production any time soon.

I lusted after a JG one in Newfoundland a few months back. It did not have the slanted frets and ended up selling for just over a grand Canadian.... a Good deal!

Nope. They also won't be bringing the 4002, the 4005, the 300-F models, the student guitars, the Lightshow guitars, the steels, the amps, or much of anything else they used to make back from the dead.

Aside from probably yet another 4001S/1999 variation (*yawn*)...

badeggs wrote:Nope. They also won't be bringing the 4002, the 4005, the 300-F models, the student guitars, the Lightshow guitars, the steels, the amps, or much of anything else they used to make back from the dead.

Aside from probably yet another 4001S/1999 variation (*yawn*)...

A 1999 would be the thing.

For the 481; it certainly looks good, but IMHO it doesn't play too well.

I see what you all are saying, but the 481 is a VERY different offering. Solid body, bolt on neck, humbuckers, body shape... It is a radically different Rickenbacker, so wouldn't it be wise to have something like it in the product line?

Why would they ever waste time reissuing products that weren't very popular when first issued....especially when they can barely keep up with orders for their current product line?

It's a cool guitar for sure, but that just wouldn't make business sense, yo.

collin wrote:Why would they ever waste time reissuing products that weren't very popular when first issued....

Was the 325 very popular when first issued?
Was the 360/12 very popular when first issued? Aside from Suzi Arden, name one other person on Earth who played one?

Not everything is an instant success. So, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Maybe the 481 has a breakthrough this time. I can see that happening. That guitar definitely has a coolness factor going in the looks department. The kids would eat it up these days.

The "kids" do eat them up these days, thats why the prices are ridiculously inflated on them. Regardless, John Hall answered this question in another thread on the Corporate forum and pretty much said it would never happen. Something along the lines of "there are a hundred other models we would reissue before the 480/1".

If you want one just buy one.

Tommy wrote:

collin wrote:Why would they ever waste time reissuing products that weren't very popular when first issued....

Was the 325 very popular when first issued?
Was the 360/12 very popular when first issued? Aside from Suzi Arden, name one other person on Earth who played one?

Not everything is an instant success. So, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Maybe the 481 has a breakthrough this time. I can see that happening. That guitar definitely has a coolness factor going in the looks department. The kids would eat it up these days.

The 325 was introduced in 1958 and was immensely popular 6 years later.
The 360/12 was introduced in 1963 and was immensely popular one year later.

"The kids" will find an original one if they want one. What difference does it make if there are new ones?

Tommy wrote:

collin wrote:Why would they ever waste time reissuing products that weren't very popular when first issued....

Was the 325 very popular when first issued?
Was the 360/12 very popular when first issued? Aside from Suzi Arden, name one other person on Earth who played one?
.

When Arden got hers....it was the only one on earth.

325s have always been a Beatle collectible. The ultimate piece of fan memorabilia, and a Beatle never played a 481.

Even 4005s weren't super popular.....but their sky-high price level indicates a healthy public demand for that model. A couple years back you could hardly give 481s away and though they've risen a little, you can still find one for under $2000.

Now....if for whatever reason RIC wanted to reissue a guitar with slim market demand like a 481, think it would be less than the $2000 you can buy an original one for? Doubt it.

sloop_john_b wrote:What difference does it make if there are new ones?

I won't buy used guitars. Just can't do it. Never have, never will.
But I suppose in this matter of no new ones available, I may have to break my creed of 'No Used Guitars.'

Tommy wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:What difference does it make if there are new ones?

I won't buy used guitars. Just can't do it. Never have, never will.
But I suppose in this matter of no new ones available, I may have to break my creed of 'No Used Guitars.'

It's not "used"...it's vintage.

Tommy wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:What difference does it make if there are new ones?

I won't buy used guitars. Just can't do it. Never have, never will.
But I suppose in this matter of no new ones available, I may have to break my creed of 'No Used Guitars.'

Yep, that's a pickle alright.

I won't buy used cars and I want a Corvair. I wonder if Chevy is ever going to reproduce it?

collin wrote:I won't buy used cars and I want a Corvair. I wonder if Chevy is ever going to reproduce it?

Wait a minute, you are going to compare a guitar that would be fun to play to a car that actually got airborn when hitting a certain speed?
I'd take the 481 over a Corvair anyday. I don't know of anyone who flew to the moon playing a 481.