Is buying a Rickenbacker even possible??

[callofcthulhu]

I had this same mentality until I met @Korladis. He had these words of wisdom to share with me:

"You know you can just...go buy one right?"

Check craigslist (or whatever Canadians use). Mine was $1100.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Not everyone on eBay or Reverb wants to ship to Canada.

Wildwood in Colorado ships internationally. They are a great on-line dealer. According to Ric CEO John Hall, all official US Ric dealers are able to ship Ricks to Canada (but they don’t have to). However, on the Ric Forums, it’s mentioned that some US dealers don’t want to ship to Quebec for some unknown reason. You’re in Ottawa, no problem.

Rickenbacker International Corporation - Forum • View topic - feel like ranting...
(6th down from the top)

 

[Epitaph04]

You can finance gear if you want. Just read the fine print a few times and get into your head that youll be making payments for months on the instrument. If you do it right, you will not pay interest. Credit isnt some evil malicious thing. It just isnt very forgiving of people who are stupid with their money and *do not* read the fine print.

If you dont want a credit card just for a bass, Sweetwater, zzounds, ams all do interest free payment plans...just spread out through less months.

Otherwise, if all of that still scares you, then wait a few more months and save up enough to pay cash and not worry about anything I just typed.

 

[Ric5]

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.

I live in the USA and I can find a new 4003s for about $1400 USD last time I looked at Musicians friend

 

[PrinceByTor]

They're all over the place on Reverb.com.

 

[jd56hawk]

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.

Possible, yes, but I just can't see myself buying one with so many other great options out there...for far more reasonable prices, too, if you ask me.
Funny thing is, I was actually thinking about buying this miniature Ric to put on the shelf in my music room, but at $40, even that's too much!
Invalid Link Removed
As for "buy now pay later" that might be a good choice for you.
I have four basses right now and two of them I would never had been able to afford were it not for using Affirm at Reverb.
Did I pay interest?
Yes.
Was it worth it?
Not only was it worth it, but it was still a bargain since both basses are quality instruments that I simply wouldn't have found hanging up in the store.
The simple truth is, I'll more than likely buy my next bass the same way.

 

[arbitrary]

I murdered out a 4003s that ill sell ya. Ive been meaning to post it.

 

[GIBrat51]

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.

All things are possible with the Force, Padawan... How did I get mine? Can you say "Used, on eBay?" And, at the time (2007), there were no new lefty Ricks - and RIC was making noises like there never would be, ever again - so it was very much a seller's market for them. You're looking at roughly $5,000 (US) of obsessive desire... which I don't regret for a minute, either. Used rightys, OTOH, are a whole lot less expensive...

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

Buy gently used, and be patient for the right one at the right price to show up.

BTW, I recently played a brand new Ric a few weeks ago. It was nowhere near as nice as my 73 4001 that I paid $750 USD for back in 74. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about a month’s pay for an average worker. There is no way the quality of this instrument justifies the price they are charging. Looked like it was manufactured in some 3rd world country. It was at Sam Ash labeled Made in USA, and I’m pretty sure they aren’t selling knock off gear.

 

[Oatis]

Not everyone on eBay or Reverb wants to ship to Canada.

Wildwood in Colorado ships internationally. They are a great on-line dealer. According to Ric CEO John Hall, all official US Ric dealers are able to ship Ricks to Canada (but they don’t have to). However, on the Ric Forums, it’s mentioned that some US dealers don’t want to ship to Quebec for some unknown reason. You’re in Ottawa, no problem.

Rickenbacker International Corporation - Forum • View topic - feel like ranting...
(6th down from the top)

Wildwood had more 'Backers than I have seen at one store ! (I bought a LP gtr. from them )

 

[Hounddog409]

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.

I walked into Sam Ash. Took a 4003s off the wall. Played it. Left with it. New for under 1400 USD.

I feel for you northern neighbors.

What site online? Sweetwater is usually reliable and reasonable.

Know anyone in the states to ship it too?

 

[singlemalt]

Last one I bought was $450 and came with a Peavey bass head and 2-15” cab. Burgundy glow. It was really pretty.

It’s been a few years. Quite a few years.

It was ok. I kept my Kramer and traded the Ric. Never looked at another Ric, one was enough for me.

If you could borrow or rent a Ric and live with it until the honeymoon is over, it could save big bucks. Kind of a one trick pony and not the most comfortable bass. Ymmv.

 

[James Willie]

Drive somewhere and get one. Make it a mini vacation.
Get your hands on it and make sure it is the one for you.
Then you get a Bass and a story to go along with it.

 

[RyanOh]

I bought mine on the TB classifieds.

Same. Honestly I never play it. Don't like it. I want to like it, I really do. There it is. I put on a Hipshot bridge, removed the pickup cover, I played the other day and nope...still not liking the ergonomics of it.
And...I waited until I was 45 :/ I suggest OP plays one before living this experience.

And I have lots and lots of different basses. I play Fender Jazz, Stingrays, Guild Pilots, 6 strings, I'm not picky...I try to adjust and adapt. I enjoy the variety, but this Ric hasn't grown on me.

 

[klejst]

Yes, obviously it's possible...however you have to ask yourself "is it possible and probable for you to buy one?"

 

[TolerancEJ]

You can finance gear if you want. Just read the fine print a few times and get into your head that youll be making payments for months on the instrument. If you do it right, you will not pay interest. Credit isnt some evil malicious thing. It just isnt very forgiving of people who are stupid with their money and *do not* read the fine print.

If you dont want a credit card just for a bass, Sweetwater, zzounds, ams all do interest free payment plans...just spread out through less months...

Those deals are not available to Canadians. I wish they were. I would have caved in a long time ago. Haha

 

[Wolfhound32]

Rickenbacker gets a bad rap from a lot of people, and if I listened to them I would never have discovered my favorite bass. In fact, I like my 2018 Rickenbacker so much I bought a second
Call the guys at Wildwood. I bought mine there for the same price as a new American Fender Pro— that’s far less expensive than most places. I don’t have any connection to the shop other than being a happy (very happy) customer: Rickenbacker Guitars and Basses - Wildwood Guitars

Best of luck!

 

[Ric5]

Is buying a Rickenbacker even possible??

uhh … ya ...

 

[Mastermold]

I bought a new 4003 from Musician's Friend back in 2008. Had to return the first two. Third one was perfect, and I play it all the time. But if I was going to buy a new one again I'd go with another retailer like Sweetwater, Pick of the Ricks or Wildwood.

 

[Element Zero]

Play one first.