Rickenbacker Prices

BobArsecake · Post by **BobArsecake** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:58 pm

What the fuck? I knew they'd bumped them up, but I just checked Musician's Friend for a 360/12 and they're wanted $2,645 for one?! I got my 620 from them in 2005 for $949. I know they're different models but the pricing wasn't THAT fucking different on them?! Anyone know what the craic with it all is? I'm baffled, and upset :E

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:07 pm

At the end of 2007, the list prices for every model went up by at least $500. I don't even want to think about what the 370/12 that I had briefly would cost now. In my experience, the best prices for new Ricks are from The Rickenbacker Page, but if you're in the market you're better off than me.

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:57 pm

They're up across the board. The 350v63 at my local shop went from $1700 to $2300.

I think they're trying to cut back on demand to settle the whole wait list issue. Cause, you know, they can't just MAKE MORE FUCKING GUITARS.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:29 am

I remember when Parkway wanted $1000 for a brand new 4003 bass or a 330, back in 2004.

Honestly I should've just saved my pennies back then and bought the end-all pair of guitars I wanted when they were still "cheap".

Rickenbacker has its head too far up its own ass. I wouldn't even care if they hiked their prices up, as long as they made an entry level model....kind of like a gibson studio of sorts, for guitar and bass.

Will · Post by **Will** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:42 am

They used to make an entry level model called the "Durango" or something lame like that - retailed for $600 or something. Then they discontinued it. LAME.

I wrote a really long letter to Mr. Hall some months back that I really should send. It basically lays out the case we're all making here; Rickenbacker being unreasonably expensive and difficult to buy. Plus general complaints about customer service, part availability, etc.

nomorebridge · Post by **nomorebridge** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:17 am

Is the reason prices of things are going up in these economic times because.... those who can pay 1.5k for a guitar won't be hit hard anyway (in the company's opinion) so they are just raising the bar in that area to make up for sales they may lose elsewhere of people who may of been able to afford something with a bit of saving but it will now be well down there want list anyway?

Is that a factor? Or is it all to do with manufacturing costs and so on..... and if that is the case, will they come back down in say a couple of years?

I only noticed from reading a couple of threadss here over the last couple of days how much eveything has gone up.... as someone said, I too think my days of buying any pricey 'top end gear' are now over....had they ever turned up in the first place!

I hope you manage to get your Ric somehow

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:36 am

Well, for Rickenbacker, when the prices were lower and they had a greater number of models there was a waiting list of at least a year and a huge production backlog. At least part of the thinking behind raising the prices was as a way to reduce demand so they could catch up on filling previous orders. Aside from that, they had to account for material and labor costs going up. I think I also remember something about changes at the factory to meet EPA requirements for spraying the finish. Basically, their prices were probably too low before, and now they're probably too high. We'll see if they become more reasonable after they get caught up. I kind of doubt it.

Will · Post by **Will** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:07 am

jeff wrote:Well, for Rickenbacker, when the prices were lower and they had a greater number of models there was a waiting list of at least a year and a huge production backlog.

A good sign that they should MAKE MORE FUCKING GUITARS. Hire more workers, buy more machines, MAKE THAT SHIT HAPPEN. They could be making way more money and grab a bigger market share, and they are actively choosing not to. Other companies have to fight for every customer, while Ric seems to take pleasure in pushing them away.

They instead opt to push their elitist, exclusionary image. Right down to Mr. Hall being an absolute DICK on the Ric forum. It's un-American BULLSHIT.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:09 pm

Dude get the one in Forsyths.

deadonkey · Post by **deadonkey** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:14 pm

DuoSonicBoy wrote:
jeff wrote:Well, for Rickenbacker, when the prices were lower and they had a greater number of models there was a waiting list of at least a year and a huge production backlog.
A good sign that they should MAKE MORE FUCKING GUITARS. Hire more workers, buy more machines, MAKE THAT SHIT HAPPEN. They could be making way more money and grab a bigger market share, and they are actively choosing not to. Other companies have to fight for every customer, while Ric seems to take pleasure in pushing them away.

They instead opt to push their elitist, exclusionary image. Right down to Mr. Hall being an absolute DICK on the Ric forum. It's un-American BULLSHIT.

all of this is true, Hall is a grade A cunt.
they're exclusive pretentious twats that make great guitars.

BobArsecake · Post by **BobArsecake** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:43 pm

jeff wrote:At the end of 2007, the list prices for every model went up by at least $500. I don't even want to think about what the 370/12 that I had briefly would cost now. In my experience, the best prices for new Ricks are from The Rickenbacker Page, but if you're in the market you're better off than me.

Ooh wow that link seems pretty good! I'll check it out later on when I've saved up some more.

Mike, I really fancy the 360/12, though I might still check Forsythes for that 620/12, see'f it's still silly money.

william · Post by **william** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:48 pm

i want this hard, from therickenbackerpage:

really any rick in black.. mmmm...

on day ill have one.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:16 pm

Rickenbackers prices were way too low, for the qulity of the guitar.

The price increase was long overdue, and besides that I remember it had something to do with them buying a bunch of expensive cnc machinery.

euan · Post by **euan** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:28 pm

A RIC 330 being cheaper than Gibson 335 was a truly amazing bargain but such a silly thing.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:39 pm

I just put one of my Rickenbacker 360's(and an SG) in the classified section if anyone is interested.

BobArsecake · Post by **BobArsecake** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:43 am

I do love the new smaller headstock and different inlays etc, but I'm after a 12 string, and can't afford it yet anyway :( Also, I don't normally check UK prices for RICs 'cause they're usually completely abominable, but they've not changed. It's also cheaper on one site (GAK) to have the 370/12 than it is for the 360/12?! The former having an extra pickup etc.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:00 am

I don't take Rickenbacker very seriously as a company, and I frequently get the impression that they don't want me to.

BobArsecake · Post by **BobArsecake** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:55 am

paul_ wrote:I don't take Rickenbacker very seriously as a company, and I frequently get the impression that they don't want me to.

They are baffling, like it's been said above, it's as though they want to push customers away.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:58 am

Like gibson they think because a few big names played them they could overprice their shit

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:04 pm

VIVA USED FINDS.

*When they can be found

In two separate purchases I dropped a total of $2000 for these two from the mid-80s, STILL at home until I have the 360-12 sent over here this January.

A tad off topic amidst the pricing gloom, but are not these Rickenbacker Blue Boys the prettiest things evah? $2500 a pop doesn't excite me, but the color sure does.