To a third party? Who cares? Like third parties are geniuses? They typically traffic in second hand "knowledge".
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Can anyone explain vintage rick copies going for over $800?
- Thread starter InternetAlias
- Start date
To a third party? Who cares? Like third parties are geniuses? They typically traffic in second hand "knowledge".
Fact is, I haven't found good ones to be at all rare. I say that as someone who was playing when the basses came out.
I already documented the brunt of complaints about them then and now. What I didn't mention was probably the biggest issue...
the overwhelming ignorance of the player. For example, guess how many bass players knew how to set up a bass in the 1970's. Hell, guess how many knew that there was such a thing?
If you don't know your butt from a hole in the ground and the crowd of allegedly more experienced folks are practically unanimous in their chants of "New things suck!", how would you go against that?
The crap ones got modified stems from that. A bass didnt have to be crap to be modified, it just needed to be yours (hopefully). People make changes quite often because they think it'll give them a leg up or just want something different. The same is true today. Here's my example:
I bought my first new Fender in the late 70's. Loved the bass. It was sunburst and looked great. But I decided I wanted a black bass so... here comes the Rustoleum. I knew nothing about painting AND I had no patience, which would explain why my bass looked like it was covered in bedliner. Was it the bass' fault? Clearly no. And the same is true for many who had humberbuckers installed, horns removed and all sorts of stuff. They weren't bad... but people like to assume the fault didn't lie in the hands of the clown pulling the trigger.
There are still far more bass players who don't know how to do setups than do. And they often blame their gear for easily remedied issues... just like back in the day.
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Well, OK, if that's what you want... You're crazy. Why do Rickenbackers sell for the prices they do? Couple of reasons;
1. All Rickenbackers are made here in America; there are no .. less expensive.. overseas models. And, Americans are kind of strange; we like to get paid a living wage for our work. That costs a company a lot of money. And, complying with all the laws, rules, and regulations that a company has to obey - especially in California, where Rickenbackers are made - costs a lot of money, too. What I don't get, is why Ricks don't cost more than they do - for a right handed one. You think they're expensive? You should see what stores want for a left handed one, sometime. Or, look on eBay...
2. RIC has this little problem; they sell every single bass - and guitar - they make. And have done so for decades. In fact, not being able to meet demand is more the rule than the exception for them. In the early 2000's, they were about 2 years behind, and quit making left handed instruments altogether. And, said they might have to stop making them - period. A company that has that kind of problem, has no incentive to lower their price. They can charge whatever they want...
As for "the Hype"? Ricks are not everybody's cup of tea - and they've never pretended to be. If a Rick feels comfortable to you; if it feels good when you play it; and you like the way it sounds? Then there's no "Hype". You either like them, and want one - or you don't. There are a whole bunch of basses I don't like; there are some that you aren't big enough to make me take. But, the fact that lots of other people love them doesn't make that "Hype". It's just "different horses for different courses"...
Sure, makes sense. Not hating, just never been my personal cup of tea. To each their own.View attachment 3783958 Well, OK, if that's what you want... You're crazy.
Why do Rickenbackers sell for the prices they do? Couple of reasons;
1. All Rickenbackers are made here in America; there are no .. less expensive.. overseas models. And, Americans are kind of strange; we like to get paid a living wage for our work. That costs a company a lot of money. And, complying with all the laws, rules, and regulations that a company has to obey - especially in California, where Rickenbackers are made - costs a lot of money, too. What I don't get, is why Ricks don't cost more than they do - for a right handed one. You think they're expensive? You should see what stores want for a left handed one, sometime. Or, look on eBay...
2. RIC has this little problem; they sell every single bass - and guitar - they make. And have done so for decades. In fact, not being able to meet demand is more the rule than the exception for them. In the early 2000's, they were about 2 years behind, and quit making left handed instruments altogether. And, said they might have to stop making them - period. A company that has that kind of problem, has no incentive to lower their price. They can charge whatever they want...
As for "the Hype"? Ricks are not everybody's cup of tea - and they've never pretended to be. If a Rick feels comfortable to you; if it feels good when you play it; and you like the way it sounds? Then there's no "Hype". You either like them, and want one - or you don't. There are a whole bunch of basses I don't like; there are some that you aren't big enough to make me take. But, the fact that lots of other people love them doesn't make that "Hype". It's just "different horses for different courses"...
