I'd probably sell my accessory organs for a Ric 5er....
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5 String Rickenbacker at the factory?
- Thread starter Journey55
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- 5-string rickenbacker strings
Because a Japanese dealer/distributor ordered a large (enough) number of the same model/color/feature. Any U.S. dealer can do the same. You could start up a petition and go to Pick of the Ricks or Wildwood and get them to order something "everyone" wants. But it would have to be a minimum order of the same thing and you'd have to convince the dealer that you would have x number of people that would want to buy this thing. And I would guess that most U.S. dealers would have to be convinced by sizable deposit to cover their risk. It's all simple numbers, really, and those numbers must be accompanied by dollar signs. The Japanese dealer/distributor KNOWS he can sell every one of this minimum order because he knows his customer market. Guitar Center probably figured out they could sell the number needed to make the minimum order. RIC knows better than to produce sizable numbers of something on spec. If you've got the minimum numbers (and the dollars), RIC will produce limited runs for you, too.
In that picture we only saw one 5-string bass. You're saying that they would only make that if they were making multiples? Then shouldn't there be more than one in that photo? Strange.
No, I'm saying that the ONE (five-string with reversed head and Blue Boy finish) is not likely made for an order from Japan or any distributor. I suggested it was for a special customer (a friend of the company or a staffer) or an experimental combination of leftover parts. There's nothing to suggest it is headed for Japan.
When Japan gets a special model made for its market, it is because they order it to be made and commit to buying the entire run. Same for the German distributor that got the Fire Alarm Red ones, and the same for Guitar Center that got the 4001S vintage models. I don't have the numbers, but I'll bet there were at least 50 of each of these specials made. I doubt RIC would accept a special order of two or three of a single special type from any dealer. For them to set up to do something out of the ordinary, they'd want to do a lot of them and there would be a set minimum.
I saw the Japanese prices on MikkiGakki (or somesuch ) at the time. They worked out close to £3000 Sterling. Did they make the horseshoe as per vintage or was it just like the cosmetic reissue? If not, a version one V63 would have done the same job for a lot less coin.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Except The Japanese seem to get the coolest Rickenbacker stuff that the rest of us never see
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Show off.
Ya ... I am a show off ...
I just completed another one almost exactly like that for a local bass player here in Denver ...
I am probably going to do 4 or 5 more in the up coming months and put them up for sale ... I just wish I had more money and could keep more of these 5 string Rickenbackers
I wonder who would be special enough to get a special project?
Al Cisneros, maybe? I doubt it would be him, though, since that bass isn't green.
