Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I like this one. I walked into the local GC last night to try out a bass amp. I naturally took the Rick and it got a good amount of compliments from the staff. Well the salesman asked me what I paid for ir and I told him the price, $1,000. He came back a little later and said he could have gotten it for about $900. If that's the case, then why doesn't GC carry Rickenbacker? "It's a special order item."

I guess they aren't going to sell too many Ricks with that type of arrangement.

Hmmm, coulda gone under the "Further Proof Why Guitar Center Just Sucks" thread.

Here's one I got just yesterday:

"The Korean made basses are really quality instruments."

I just go in there to kill time & end up leaving wondering why I did.

I never get straight answers from their staff about Ric basses, I was quoted about $1100.00 for any color including Blueboy at GC before I ordered my FL a few months ago. I ended up ordering one from Mike Parks. This guy has been at this particular one for at least several years so you would think he knew what he was doing. I don't trust them.

my local GC has a USED 2002 ric bass for sale for $1000 ... NOT $900 ...

If you want to do business with them go to Musician's friend ... it's all part of the same corporation ... then get a brand new Ric bass then has never been in a music store ... and you get a pretty good price ... or go to Music 123 online ...

Or I just go to Chuck Levin's Washington Music. I can examine the bass and they usually have several to choose from. And the salesman I deal with knows his stuff. He's got some strong opinions regarding certain brands of amps, but he's never tried to steer me wrong.

most areas have a nice non-coporate music store in their area ... and some of them sell rics ...

Chuck Levins Washington Music is a great place. and usually have the lowest prices. Thats where I got my 4004 Cheyenne II.

But then throw in another $175 for the case. It is GC after all.

I bought my '97 new in 97 for $1000 less case at GC. At the time I could count on them always having like either 2 or 3 in stock at at a time but the last few years I go there, none in stock. ???? Is it truly a special order item?

Every new Rick comes with a case. If anyone tells you different, they are lying. Replacement cases may be special order these days, I don't know.

No, that's a GC thing, they were supposed to include the case with the price, they always had them just charged extra for them, it was very misleading when they first started that as you thought about the bass for a while at a certain price thinking it was complete with the case, then surprise! I think I remember JH saying that they were supposed to include the case, I don't know what became of that, but they were bad-mouthing Rickenbacker here for a while. The prices were higher during the late 90's, here in Ma. a new 4003 without case listed at about $1200-1300 at GC. All the prices were higher then for all the basses at GC. I'll buy new online anyday rather than deal with their BS. Unfortunately they knocked all the good stores out of business here in Ma. that I know of anyway.

I was at the local GC not long ago and was inqiring to see if they had any RIC parts or accessories in stock. I was standing right next to him when he puched Rickenbacker has his search word and up comes about a dozen RIC cases invetoried SEPARATELY and priced as such. I told him RICS policy on that and he said they were going out of business anyway! DUMB**S!

Bob,

Bought mine at GC on Comm. Ave in Boston, at the time it was $1000 for the bass, and no mention of a case with it. Since I did not plan on gigging with it I figured a gig bag would do. Then EBay came a long and I got a used Rick case cheaper than new. YMMV. Anyway I've seen GC slip in recent years. JMHO.

Ron,

If you're talking about the GC in Fairfax, they don't know what they're talking about. When they did have Ricks there a few years ago, I was just minding my own business playing a 4003 and one of the sales drones went up to me and told me that "You should buy that bass, because I heard that Rickenbacker is going out of business." After that little gem, he then proceeded to tell me "You know, that bass is a piece of **** anyway, have you tried this Squier P-bass? It's really cool!" I had to get out of there because I was laughing so hard! You should head down to Classic Axe in Manassas. The owner (Russ) is a Rick dealer (and just loves Ricks), and has a few Ampeg, Laney, and Genz Benz bass amps to try out. Good luck in your quest!

Thanks, Ron. I'll have to remember Classic Axe. I haven't been in Northern Virginia too long and don't know where all the good shops are yet. I go to Chuck's since I've dealt with them over the past 20 years (bought a '62 Reissue Strat back in 1982).

BTW, I found the amp I wanted - an Ashdown C210T-300. In fact, I just got home from Chuck's.