Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,

I apologize if this is a) a stupid question or b) has already been discussed elsewhere, but I didn't find anything on this via google.

On ebay, there are a large number of what look like brand new Rickenbacker guitars, often in unusual colors that aren't typically available. These almost always say "From Japan" on them. They don't appear to be fakes, just normal Rics in different colors. They also list at a premium over the regular models we see over here in the States.

Does Rickenbacker make special guitars for export to Japan in non-standard colors? What's up with these guitars?

I believe RIC does produce different options for some foreign markets.

They are special runs for those particular markets.

Clinton, the Japanese market has always been good to RIC and in return they do special models and colors for their dealers. With the U.S. dollar doing well, these have become somewhat affordable. I brought back a 620/6 in Plumglo this summer for $1670. And don't forget their will be a import charge. It was about $75 charged by the U.S. postal service. So $1750 is about $500 more than I would pay for a standard color in like new condition from a U.S. ebayer. But who doesn't like plums?

Peral Jetglo, the first I have seen of this?

xcoyle wrote:Clinton, the Japanese market has always been good to RIC and in return they do special models and colors for their dealers. With the U.S. dollar doing well, these have become somewhat affordable. I brought back a 620/6 in Plumglo this summer for $1670. And don't forget their will be a import charge. It was about $75 charged by the U.S. postal service. So $1750 is about $500 more than I would pay for a standard color in like new condition from a U.S. ebayer. But who doesn't like plums?

Well, hey, I like plums too! Can ya post a picture?

Metallic Plumglo Santa Ana Skyglo

Ron, those are NICE!!

One day, I would like to be able to pick up one of these special finish models!

xcoyle wrote:Peral Jetglo, the first I have seen of this?

Uuuh ! That TRC looks gorgeous !

Thanks for the info y'all

Some of these guitars are really beautiful. I just wanted to make sure they weren't copies or something! Glad to hear folks have had good experiences ordering these from overseas.

It does make my life goal of a Ric in every color a bit harder to achieve now!! :p

I thought one wouldn't have to pay an import charge on repatriating an American product? I've only ever bought two instruments from overseas and had to pay on both: a UK gtr from the UK, and a Japanese guitar from South Africa. Am I confusing duty with some other kind of charge?

It's a good question Jdog. The form I signed did have options to not pay. I just did not look into that carefully.

Does anyone the law thang on this?

I think if it was produced here and the item is coming back into the country there are no taxes, duties, VAT, that sort of stuff, but if you are using a company such as UPS, Fedex, etc. there will be some form of brokerage fees to be paid to them.

This is probably all incorrect so I expect I will be corrected at some point in the future.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's no charge too. If there is an option to not pay, take it. If by some slim chance we're wrong, worst case you'll get a bill later and it's about 6 or 7% on guitars over $500, IIRC.

If you are buying from a Japan seller shipping to the US, ask for EMS (Express Mail Service), which the Japan seller will probably use anyway. In my experience, an item shipped via EMS will be relayed to USPS for delivery in US as a "Priority Mail" item, and there won't be any extra charges. Same applies to items shipped from Canada to US via CanadaPost. This has been my experience.

However, if the non-US seller ships to US via FedEx or UPS, there will often be a "brokerage" charge of anywhere from 5 to 10% regardless of where the item was made.