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Need help with a 'RICK purchase ... ASAP
- Thread starter David Sutkin
- Start date
\m/
just because someone was dumb enough to pay over new price for a used bass, does not make it right - or worth it.
1650 is stupid for a used Ric.
Yeah.
A good condition Azureglo 4001? I can see $1650 for that. But for a bog standard Midnight Blue 4003? No way.
That's the thing about used Ricks. I agree that for a standard Mapleglo, Jetglo, Fireglo in top condition, it should be less than $1500. But when it comes to the rarer colors, a premium may well apply. Obviously, only the folks who just have to have that color will accept a premium; others will just shake their heads. Same goes for particular limited run models like the old Shadow, Blackstar, Tuxedo, Redneck, and the new Noir, Jetglo Pearlstar, and some of the special colors ordered by overseas distributors. Some of the harder-to-find "Color of the Year" shades, or an unusual model/color combination (such as a Turquoise 4001V63) will also bring a premium. I just sold two at premium prices, so there is a market, although a limited one.
OK. So the blues isn't sadder than black metal?
MM
Feelings have nothing to do with it. I'm talking about musical gender.
Things get complicated (and political) when getting into the "bluesy black metal" sub-gender.
I'd love a Midnight Blue 4003, though saying that, I'd love a Jetglo 4003 too (if only!).
If the price isn't right on the Blue one, negotiate a better price. Midnight Blue is a current standard colour, albeit made in lower numbers than Mapleglo, Fireglo & Jetglo versions, it's still a standard colour.
Go and look at both, and decide after you've played them. If either don't live up to what you want, walk away, there'll be another come along soon enough, so bide your time and jump on the right one.
If the price isn't right on the Blue one, negotiate a better price. Midnight Blue is a current standard colour, albeit made in lower numbers than Mapleglo, Fireglo & Jetglo versions, it's still a standard colour.
Go and look at both, and decide after you've played them. If either don't live up to what you want, walk away, there'll be another come along soon enough, so bide your time and jump on the right one.
Sweetwater has been carrying RICs for a while now and their prices are the same as Wildwood. And like wildwood, you get to see and choose your exact instrument.
I believe the market has finally caught up with Ric. I remember the days where you could sell a used one for more than new. Seemed to depend on what MF had in stock at the time. I don't see a shortage of Rics today, and prices are coming down. Not sure that a used one will hit the $1100 mark. But there seems to be a lot more available, these days, than in years past.
As others have said, the blue one is priced way too high.
I'd check Wildwood. Haven't heard anything but fantastic things about them. My brother bought a few guitars from them and they are top notch people.
I'd check Wildwood. Haven't heard anything but fantastic things about them. My brother bought a few guitars from them and they are top notch people.
5 independent referrals to "Wildwood" ... that's great to know, thanks.
and FYI, I didn't buy the Rick for $1,650 .... I might have though had I not put up this post yestyerday. You all (well, most) we're kind enough to give me some great advice, thanks.
I generally shop for most of my basses either locally on CL or if online through Zzounds, SW, MF, Reverb, Ebay, FB bass groups and even here on TB.
In fact I'm buying a Mayones BE5 from a cat in Warsaw, Poland this week that that I met on a FB bass page.
This community continually proves vital
and FYI, I didn't buy the Rick for $1,650 .... I might have though had I not put up this post yestyerday. You all (well, most) we're kind enough to give me some great advice, thanks.
I generally shop for most of my basses either locally on CL or if online through Zzounds, SW, MF, Reverb, Ebay, FB bass groups and even here on TB.
In fact I'm buying a Mayones BE5 from a cat in Warsaw, Poland this week that that I met on a FB bass page.
This community continually proves vital
Or you could say Ric has caught up with the market. There was a time (before Ric used CNCs) when Ric orders could take a year or two to fulfill. Now that's only the case with atypical Rics (eg the 4004). Because of the large wait and demand, people could sell their used Rics for new prices because shops rarely had them in stock. Supply did not keep up with demand.
Seems to still be like that ...... I talked with my rep at Sweetwater yesterday who told me "Lead times are around 18 months for this unless Rickenbacker has one on-hand and ready to ship"
Really? Was it something unusual -- eg did you ask about a blue 4003? Last I heard, they produce their top sellers at a high frequency. Other instruments or atypical colors/finishes only see occasional runs.
I know many retailers have just learned to buy well in advance, but I have also seen more Rics on sales floors in recent years. I thought their wait for their most common guitars/basses (eg jetglo and fireglo 4003, 330, 360) was down around 6 months at this point.
Sweetwater has plenty of 4003's in stock, Fireglo's and Jetglo's but not a "Midnight blue" which is what I had specifically asked for.
"Musical gender"? I've never heard of such a thing. Do you mean musical genre and sub-genre?
MM
ME TOO! (mid forties that is) It is so crazy to me. This was the place people from all over the world came to buy guitars. Now all you can buy are overpriced vintage Fenders. And pretty much NOTHING else! it is crazy.
Do you remember the little guitar store in or right next to the Chelsea Hotel? That place always had a dozen used Rics.
I used to have a beautiful 1977 Ric in Midnight Blue. I sold it for around $1000 because I felt like that was what it should go for. After selling it, a few months later I saw it for sale in Main Drag for $2100. People are the worst.
