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Is buying a Rickenbacker even possible??

Felken

Felken

Jun 28, 2016
1,622
2,087
26
Ottawa, CAN
#1
I finally have a bit of loose change after years of work, and I'm telling myself "you know what? Maybe I could afford myself a little treat in the next few months"

Rickenbackers are so nice man, I can't describe it. That look, that tone, it's so beautiful!

So I go online casually scoping for a few Rickenbackers. I knew they were expensive but... That's an understatement. THEY COST AN ARM AND A LEG... AND YOUR HOUSE PLUS A FEW YEARS OF FREE LABOUR.

These things are like 4000$ CAD No way I could pay for that.

Is buying a Ric even possible? I mean, where do I buy them? How did you get yours? Is it possible getting one for under 1500$ CAD? I can't just wait until I'm 45 to buy one.
 
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#3
Felken said:
I finally have a bit of loose change after years of work, and I'm telling myself "you know what? Maybe I could afford myself a little treat in the next few months"

Rickenbackers are so nice man, I can't describe it. That look, that tone, it's so beautiful!

So I go online casually scoping for a few Rickenbackers. I knew they were expensive but... That's an understatement. THEY COST AN ARM AND A LEG... AND YOUR HOUSE PLUS A FEW YEARS OF FREE LABOUR.

These things are like 4000$ CAD No way I could pay for that.

Is buying a Ric even possible? I mean, where do I buy them? How did you get yours? Is it possible getting one for under 1500$ CAD? I can't just wait until I'm 45 to buy one.
Click to expand...

They're $2100 at L&M. They're not common, but they pop up every now and then. There's a jetglo 4003S at the Thunder Bay store right now - ask your local store to transfer it. And the odds of finding one for <$1500CAD are slim to none.
 
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#4
Koshchei said:
They're $2100 at L&M. They're not common, but they pop up every now and then. There's a jetglo 4003S at the Thunder Bay store right now - ask your local store to transfer it. And the odds of finding one for <$1500CAD are slim to none.
Click to expand...
2100 isn't bad. Is there some sort of financing avaiable? For the under 1500$, I was thinking the used market.
 
#6
Felken said:
2100 isn't bad. Is there some sort of financing avaiable? For the under 1500$, I was thinking the used market.
Click to expand...
You can finance or do layaway, for sure. Make sure to try it out before you buy. They're amazing instruments, but feel and play very differently than a Fender.

Used, they sell for maybe $100 less than new if there are a few. If there aren't, they sell for more than new - Rics have an insane resale value.
 
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#7
Felken said:
2100 isn't bad. Is there some sort of financing avaiable? For the under 1500$, I was thinking the used market.
Click to expand...

Don’t finance gear. Particularly not a high priced luxury item at the top of your budget, assuming you already have basses to play. It’s just a road to being in debt and paying much more than you want to in interest.
 
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#9
Mvilmany said:
I’d strongly suggest playing one before buying it. I wouldn’t even consider buying a Ric, sight-unseen in the US, much less buying one abroad.

2 reasons:
1. quality control has been... questionable and inconsistent.
2. If you’re not familiar with the feel and the build, they might not be what you were expecting.
Click to expand...
Good point. I've briefly played one, but that was years ago. Completely forgot how they feel.
 
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#12
Last summer the Peterborough L&M got 5 new 4003S basses in (midnight blue, mapleglo, jetglo, fireglo, matte black) and a used SW. This was the most in any store in Canada. I got a good chance to compare them, and while the basic formula was the same on each, the chamfers and filets were all different, as were the setups. The SW played the best and weighed 7.9lbs, so I left with it :)
 
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#14
Skillet said:
I bought mine on the TB classifieds. :thumbsup:
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Same. Bought & sold for around $1500 US dollars— seems to be the average going rate around these parts, though I’ve seen some less than perfect specimens go for around $1200 and the more limited editions go for exponentially more.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you’re looking to buy something and have the money at the ready, all hope is not lost!
 
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#18
Yeah go find one and play it. I think they're gorgeous and sound fantastic.

They feel HORRIBLE in my hands. I can't even begin to play one. Too skinny. Too narrow. Nowhere comfy to put my thumb. They even feel all wonky against my body. I like literally nothing about playing one.

I'm jealous of those who get along with them because the cool factor is there for sure.

I would rather look at a Ric. I would rather PLAY a 2X4 with a runner band on it than play a Ric.

That's just MY hands and playing style. I also owned a beautifull Mile Lull 5 string with a Sadowsky preamp in it. Every nass player around me said it was the finest instrument they ever held. But I couldn't get along with it AT ALL. So don't take my workd for it. Play one for yourself.
 
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