NBD: Rickenbackers are overpriced.

[Skybone]

Yep.

People think of Rickenbackers as expensive because they're comparing them to the prices of other companies' budget lines. A Rickenbacker 4003, street price, sits in about the same range as a MusicMan Stingray, an American G&L, and Professional series Fenders. Considering that Rickenbackers are neck through, which is more involved a build process than bolt-on, it seems to me that they're priced at about what I would expect.

I completely agree with you. Outside the US, "standard range" American made Fenders, G&L's, MusicMan (MusicMen?) and others are very similar prices to those in the US. Unfortunately, Rickenbacker or their International Distributors don't seem to see this similarity in the US market, and so charge more.

Agreed, the production numbers of Fender / MusicMan / G&L are proably far higher than those of Rickenbacker, but they all sit within the same price bracket within the US market place.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I used to think they were outrageously overpriced... before I built one. Any neck-through bass inherently requires a lot more handwork because it has to be glued together long before finish work begins, then you have to work into all those nooks and crannies. Ric probably does more skilled handwork than any other mass produced bass, except maybe a Hofner. I would say they charge what the market will bear, just like Fender, and every other business.
This factory tour video gives a pretty good idea of the handwork involved:

 

[cardinalcorr]

I acquired this 1976 Ibanez 2833b because I wanted something that sounded like a Rick (mostly for Motorhead and Sleep tones) for a reasonable price and it delivers. It's a 4001 clone. It sounds really good has more balls than any Rick I've ever played and cost about $650. The bolt on is placed so far back it feels identical to any actual 4001/4003 I've played. The only negative things I have to say about it are the inlays and checkerboard binding don't look as cool as an actual Rick and the previous owner put a Rickenbacker trussrod cover on it even though the Ibanez one looks way better. Quality instrument will give it an 8.5/10. Would buy again.

Looks great..