Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi All

The whole Rickenbacker discontinuing 4004cii series
Is really bumming me out.

I was trying to think if there was a way we could get rickenbackers managements attention to re introduce the model into the line up.

Help
A 4004cii fan

The way most businesses run is that they manufacture and sell items. The more they sell, the more they manufacture. If something doesn't sell, they stop making it. I fear that is the case with the 4004 line. I'm not sure if they ever sold well, but they gave the 4004 line a good long run, from mid 1992 to 2018. There are several models that RIC has made that have taken the same route: 4005, 3000, 3001, 4002, and the 2000 series. I'm afraid you've missed your chance to order or buy one new (there may be a few unsold "new" ones in shops), so the second-hand market is the place to look for one.

What Paul said, but I have to agree with Gary.... hate to see them go! One of the best kept secrets of all of Ric-dom is the 4004 series!

Thanks guys For your input

Do you reckon if we got enough support
On here / enough people on board that they would maybe consider doing a limited run

And if so how many people would it take

4004cii wrote:Thanks guys For your input

Do you reckon if we got enough support
On here / enough people on board that they would maybe consider doing a limited run

And if so how many people would it take

RIC sells to their dealers and distributors. In recent years, some dealers have made special orders for "custom" runs with different paint, trim, etc. Presumably, they have to order some minimum number, seems like about 25. So, perhaps if you could convince a dealer to make a special order of 4004 basses, then the dealer might be able to talk to RIC and and get something going.

But, changing color and trim on a model in production is one thing. Interrupting that production to make a completely different model is another thing completely. They might have to order a very large number to make it financially viable for RIC to disrupt their normal production.

But, you can always try. Contact a few dealers and see what they say...

I guess this probably means that there won't be any 8 string 4004 made by the factory... I may have one of the few out there!!!

Thanks cjj

In terms of dealers to contact. I know Chicago music exchange have recently done a a few runs of limited edition models

Were there any other dealers you guys can think of contacting.

Also any suggestions on how we can engage other 4004/ rickenbacker fans Fans and get them jump on board.

I imagine it would be a dealers dream if we went up to them and said we got xx amount of people committed to make this happen.

ram wrote:I guess this probably means that there won't be any 8 string 4004 made by the factory... I may have one of the few out there!!!

Woooahhhh 8 string 4004 thats so cool I never knew they even made an 8 string 4004

RIC didn't make an 8-string 4004, although their long-time poster/catalog said: "Also available as an eight string". But Tom and others have done some conversions.

exactly why I said one of the few. Here is a thread about it if interested:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=381027&p=425592&hil ... L8#p425592

4004cii wrote:...and said we got xx amount of people committed to make this happen.

The 4004 series was made for 26 years. Very likely, those would would jump on board already had, and have theirs. I still have two of the four I owned.

Prices for new Rics are so sky high now I doubt I’ll ever buy a new Ric again, sad to say.

lumgimfong wrote:Prices for new Rics are so sky high now I doubt I’ll ever buy a new Ric again, sad to say.

Do you really think $1350-$1550 is sky high?

The price seems reasonable if they end up being around that range.

Do you guys have dealers in mind who would get on board
and help add extra for a power to the cause

Is there any reason a used one won't do? While rare, they do come up for sale occasionally, and it's possible that someone on this forum has one that they'd be interested in parting with.

Hell, if you could settle for Trans Red, there's a gorgeous one on eBay, no waiting. Local pickup only, but that could always be figured out.