Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

If I keep my 2003 Ric 360/6 in excellent used condition how well will it hold it's value over 2,5,10,15,20 years. What do you think?

I think that, in the long run, you'll get a lot more from the guitar if you play the snot out of it for the next 20 years without regard to its monetary value.

Adam's right. A 360-6 is a fairly "common" guitar, as Ricks (uncommon guitars) go. Unless it has an unusual provenance (like Clapton's Strat did) it will lose value gradually up to a point. Depending upon condition, you'll be looking at 50%-65% of its value in roughly ten years. If it is unplayed, it might hold 80%, adjusted for inflation. And, if it goes below 30% because you played the snot out of it, Adam will buy it to restore.

Paul, you're on to me. Sometimes you've got to plant the seed early if you want to get a good deal.

My thoughts are different.

I assume you bought your 360 new for $1000-$1200; you could sell it today for $700-900 on ebay. A 5 year old 360 will sell for $700-900 also. The average seems to be around $800-$850.

My 330/12 that I bought new in '92 will sell for $750-$900, most likely for $800-850. I paid $690 for it in '92. My 610 would sell for $500-600 - I bought it new in '87 for $310 and played it daily for years. The 610 may have been a good deal, but the 330/12 was the same price at Sam Ash, Thoroughbred, everywhere in '92 - it was no 'deal'. I'm not sure I can do the inflation adjustment, but it seems to me that Ricks at minimum 'hold' value.

Paul, maybe I'm misunderstanding what you wrote, but wouldn't 50-65% mean a '94 360 would go for $500-$650? I never see them that low... Did you mean 50-65% of its original retail price? That still seems too low?

Another opinion, from the VG price guide:
'80-'89 360- $1000 - $1200
'90-'94 360 - $1000 - $1100
'95-'99 360 - $900 - $1000

John, adjusted for inflation. The closest recent figures I can easily get are for 1997. Using '92 as a standard, the dollar lost 12% of its value between '92 and '97 alone. Assuming that each five year period since 1997 has undergone a similar straightline slip (it hasn't, especially the last two years), you'd be seeing about a 30% decrease in true dollar-for-dollar worth. The mitigating factor is of course demand and the collectibility that both sets and feeds demand.

To get around this collectibility thing, look at prices on consumable items or commodities.

Frank,

Here's my two cents. A nice Rick guitar is always going to be worth something if it's been well cared for and plays properly. I prefer traditional models (i.e. 325, 330, 360) in traditional finishes (i.e. FG, MG, JG). I don't think these guitars will ever be considered anything but classic. Don't expect to make a profit on 'em, but they should hold their value reasonably well. Most importantly, buy what you like and enjoy it. Then you may never want to sell it!

That's why I'm not bothered with the value of my 370, even after a little accident a while back... I simply never plan on selling it.

I'd like to think that in 2050, when I'm 64, that it'll be worth a few bucks more then I paid for it.
Woah the guitar will be 71 years old! I wonder if it'll still play, or if I'll still have it for that matter...

In the UK, it is often the case that a good used Ric will sell for as much as a brand new one & never loses THAT much money, even old ones. I think it is probably because new Rics are few & far between in Britain & just not that accessable, so it's a supply & demand thing. You don't get that many bargains over here.

Anthony,Maybe we should start a little secret company, under the table, to ship guitars back and forth. I heard that Fenders are cheap there but bring big dollars here in the states. Ha ha! I think the main thing I'm concerned with, with paying $1000 for my Ric and $1748 for my Les Paul STD LE is this, if I ever have a serious reason to sell my guitars could I get most of my money back? I doubt I will ever find that reason but it's always good to know you spent your money on something worth it. I'll probally keep all 9 of my guitars until I die, hopefully 35 to 40 years from now. Maybe by then they'll be worth even more, huh? I noticed pretty much the same as John did on eBay, about 20 to 25% loss. Most of the guitars I have I got a rock bottom, or blow out sale prices so that helps. My LP STD LE still sells for $2400 at Musicians Friend. Thanks for the responces everybody. Keep them coming. Frank.

Honestly, I don't see any of the mass-produced, regular-run guitars of today ever increasing in value too much, unless the model is discontinued or something. And seeing as most of these models have been going strong for decades, they probably aren't going anywhere soon.

Just for kicks, say that 30 years down the road, a 2003 Rick 360 will fetch $5000 on the market. You invest approx $1000, you'd earn $4000 on a 30 year investment. That's $133.33 a year, like a savings plan with 13% non-compounding interest (For the record - I'm not an economist) Not bad, but that's a long time to leave that guitar case sitting under the bed. I feel 360s are too much fun to worry about keeping in excellent condition. I find my 2002 responds better when I rough it up a little.

As compared to most other guitars, Rickenbackers, even "generic" 360s, are a great investment. Now, as far as holding for inflation, that's one thing, but buy an Epiphone Les Paul and hold it for 5 years and see what you get out of it. Rickenbackers hold their value like Harley-Davidsons.

Bob, I once tried to debunk the Rick / Harley Davidson comparison on this very Forum. It seems a natural one, but IMO has more weaknesses than strengths.

Commonalities: Made in America. Older ones are collectible.

Harleys are over-promoted, over-priced (and have always been), and there is an overheated market for them. They are not hard to locate. They build many, many of them in two thoroughly modern, mostly automated assembly line factories.

Harley-Davidson would not even exist today had not the government stepped in in 1983 and slapped a tariff on Japanese motorcycles.

There is, I believe, a "Harley Bubble", fueled by the media and the economy. I think there will come a gradual to sudden adjustment in the prices of used Harleys, but I'm not sure when.

Rickenbackers, though smaller investments, have a much better chance of holdig their value than contemporary Harleys, IMO.

Harley-Davidsons are not niche market - Rickenbackers are. If we were to liken the Rickenbacker market to a vehicle it would possibly be Volvo: High repeat customer / loyal customer base - reliability - aged styling. Management driven by customer satisfaction (pre Ford in Volvo's case).
The beauty of our interest in any Rickenbacker is that the monetary value will allow us to maintain ability to buy and sell. We all know how rediculous it is to collect 58 Les Pauls. Intrinsic value of the instrument is the median for Rics...we should be thankful.

Amen, Steve.

BTW: I left out one very important consideration in this comparison: Ricks and Harleys both come from a very important "family" tradition. But H-D is a publicly traded corporation, with the concommitant marketing and economic pressures, and extra layer of operating nonsense to contend with.

Nobody wants to owe their lives to bankers, much less Wall Street sharks! Shall we say: "It affects the clarity of the decision-making process"?