Yes is obscene price for them new now. Things where much more reasonable when you could get them new for under 1 grand, and used for 400-600.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Rickenbacker Pricing - Justified, Or Plain Obscene?
- Thread starter theevilplankton
- Start date
I have been a huge fan of Rickenbacker basses since 87/88 when a friend of mine bought a secondhand Jetglo 4001 for £250.From that moment I wanted a Rickenbacker bass,no other bass would do.
Finally in August 1998 my girlfriend bought me my 1992 Fireglo 4003 for £650. Even though I am in a good job there is no way that I could afford,what Ric basses are going for here in the UK even secondhand the prices are high.That being said if I had the money I would buy a secondhand Ric CS or a V63 without a second thought about the cost.
Rickenbacker is like that other great American icon Harley Davidson, that are only made in the USA which is great sometimes you pay that little bit extra for an original classic.
Finally in August 1998 my girlfriend bought me my 1992 Fireglo 4003 for £650. Even though I am in a good job there is no way that I could afford,what Ric basses are going for here in the UK even secondhand the prices are high.That being said if I had the money I would buy a secondhand Ric CS or a V63 without a second thought about the cost.
Rickenbacker is like that other great American icon Harley Davidson, that are only made in the USA which is great sometimes you pay that little bit extra for an original classic.
I'd never really thought about that.... until now....
Looks like a lot of us would not be playing Fenders currently if they in-fact had of been more aggressive with protecting their copyrights eh... 
I gassed for a Ric ever since playing one for 15 minutes when I was 16. I have bought two in the last three years ,one pre neck change , one after , and sadly I don't like them anymore. love the styling , love the tone , disliked the feel.
Lots of people love them and to them the price may be justified , if you want one bad enough you will pay it
If you think a 4003 is obscene price a 4001C64S C , just for SAG I had MF email my price ...$3459.99
For that price I would by a CS Fender or USA lakland.
Style+tone != feel
You've got it wrong.
The other thing about rics, and why I currently don't own one, on top of the price issue and the slab body, is that to get the Rick-o sound, you need to run an amp for each pickup. I'm sorry, but that's too much to ask for a mass production instrument. Hell, Wals and Fbasses and Foderas don't need to be run in stereo for their distinctive sound.
I've never run mine through 2 bass amps yet, since I don't own 2.
I have used 2 guitar amps just to check it out.
Too much hassle to use at a gig, takes up too much room in the truck, too much time to set up and balance, etc.
Cool for recording, though.
The 'slab' body is actually maple wings glued to the maple neck, as they are through neck basses.
If it's the lack of multiple laminations being referred to, then that's quite true, and actually is a big part of the tone of the bass.
And as for distinctive sound, many others have this as well.
You can get close to the 'Rick sound' with a Jazz also, as well as many others I'm sure.
And for less money.
The issue is cost and this is directly related to build quality and being built in the U.S.
Really, RIC is not a mass producer of instruments.
Fender and Gibson are, as well as many others.
Ric is more of a assembly line-boutique builder, in between both extremes.
They are what they are, and yet there is still a lot of misconceptions floating around.
I have used 2 guitar amps just to check it out.
Too much hassle to use at a gig, takes up too much room in the truck, too much time to set up and balance, etc.
Cool for recording, though.
The 'slab' body is actually maple wings glued to the maple neck, as they are through neck basses.
If it's the lack of multiple laminations being referred to, then that's quite true, and actually is a big part of the tone of the bass.
And as for distinctive sound, many others have this as well.
You can get close to the 'Rick sound' with a Jazz also, as well as many others I'm sure.
And for less money.
The issue is cost and this is directly related to build quality and being built in the U.S.
Really, RIC is not a mass producer of instruments.
Fender and Gibson are, as well as many others.
Ric is more of a assembly line-boutique builder, in between both extremes.
They are what they are, and yet there is still a lot of misconceptions floating around.
+1 I don't NEED to run 2 seperate rigs to get my Ric's to sound awesome. I have done it, but as mentioned above, that's alot of gear to schlepp around for something most people wouldn't "get" anyway. I can go bass straight into a single amp, and get all the distictive Ric tone I want.
Another +1 for not needing to use two amps to benefit from Ric-O-Sound. Amp-wise, two channels is all you have to have. I run mine with different effects on each channel into my SVT-VR.
And I don't have any kind of DI, but this same setup works great for recording using two channels on my dopey little PreSonus Inspire.
But yeah, it still sounds like a Ric when running in plain ol' mono.
And I don't have any kind of DI, but this same setup works great for recording using two channels on my dopey little PreSonus Inspire.
But yeah, it still sounds like a Ric when running in plain ol' mono.
I think Rics are going through a 'popularity period' that will end eventually. Thier products have typically gone through cycles like other products. I belive the company is also pushing the envolope to see what they can get price wise. Dealers are doing the same thing. When enough inventory accumulates the price will recend. Rick may even cut back on production to compensate. It's the typical strategy that's used for many things.
Bassically, let's see what the market will bare.
Right know there is a dealer (not a authorized Rick dealer by the way) that has two brand new 4001 C64S models in the midnight blue finish. One is glossy, the other is a satin finish. They have them priced at $3,795.00. This bass is not worth the money, sorry it just isn't. They are charging a crazy price becaue of the unusual finish, it's plain and simple. It didn't cost Rick any more to paint the bass blue than it did black. The dealer is speculating that someone out there 'HAS TO HAVE THIS" for whatever reason. And all they need are two people who are willing to lay down the bucks.
I bought a brand new 4001 C64S (natural) in 2006 for $2,200.00. I thought I should have had my head examined for paying that much, but it was something I wanted so I paid the price. I do like the bass, I do like Rickenbacker bass guitars. But, no, I don't think the bass warrents that price tag given what it is. There is NOTHING very unique about it.
I suppose if you want to be a Rickenfan and wave the flag, go right ahead. But the thing you need to do is take a critical look at what you're waving at. Ignorance can only be bliss for so long. Sooner or later you need to open your eyes and see things for what they are.
Have a look on Gbase, you'll see the bass I'm talking about ($3,795.00)
Invalid Link Removed
The thing is that these Ricks cost less to make than, let's say a Gibson Thunderbird. Just take a look at the T-bird's construction and it will become readilly apparent. There's ALOT more work and time spent on fashioning a T-bird. (lamanted neck that is tappered, headstock and body that are angled). The Rick is just a plank of wood with minimal craftsmansip. Sorry, but that's all it is and ever was. I like the bass, own several, play them frequently, but let's call it and understand it for what it is. The comapny and dealers are simply cahing in on the mania. It's that plain and simple.
But because there's a demand at the moment, Rick & Dealers are going to continue cashing in on the mania.
So... which one of you blocks are going to submit to the mania and buy the $3,795.00 Rick bass? Go on you know you want it. Plus you'll be doing your thing to help stimulate the economy and put several steaks on Rick & Dealer's table, along with a lobster tail and nice bottel of wine. Every day for the next month.
Rock on brothers and sisters and the the good times roll!
Oh, to Rickenbackers credit, they haven't raised the price of thier strings over the past 5 years. It's nice to see the $35.00 price tag hasn't changed.
TL;DR
I own three Rickenbacker basses and love them. I have no regrets about buying them.
My first bass was a Rickenbacker 4000 made in 1974, I bought it in 1978. I still have it and will never sell it. It is a great bass with a cool, biting tone. I almost replaced the PU, thank God my guitar friend talked me out of it, saying those 4000 PUs are unique.
This year I took the plunge and bought a Rickenbacker 4001C64 and 4001C64S. Both are amazing basses, not just for my collection, but also to play, they are a dream. And, yes, I am a McCartney fan. So what?? So are most people. I prefer the non bound body and dot inlays, and it is worth it to me to pay for those elements. No apologies to anyone. I will never sell these basses, they are too cool, sound too good, and are too fun to play.
My first bass was a Rickenbacker 4000 made in 1974, I bought it in 1978. I still have it and will never sell it. It is a great bass with a cool, biting tone. I almost replaced the PU, thank God my guitar friend talked me out of it, saying those 4000 PUs are unique.
This year I took the plunge and bought a Rickenbacker 4001C64 and 4001C64S. Both are amazing basses, not just for my collection, but also to play, they are a dream. And, yes, I am a McCartney fan. So what?? So are most people. I prefer the non bound body and dot inlays, and it is worth it to me to pay for those elements. No apologies to anyone. I will never sell these basses, they are too cool, sound too good, and are too fun to play.
Keep an eye on the bridge on that C64. Mine has already lifted off to the moon. And yes, I have stock Rick strings on it.
The C64S is okay because it has the extra screws. I haven't had an issue with that.
It's interesting to see people here actually admitting gear can be overpriced. That usually isn't the case, in my experience.
I saw a great, mint-condition MapleGlo Rickenbacker bass only a couple of months old at GC about three years ago For $650 and I almost bought it, but the neck was this huge U-shaped one and I just couldn't get behind it.
I've never made my mind up about the whole Rickenbacker thing. I'm not sure it's for me, even without the neck issue.
I saw a great, mint-condition MapleGlo Rickenbacker bass only a couple of months old at GC about three years ago For $650 and I almost bought it, but the neck was this huge U-shaped one and I just couldn't get behind it.
I've never made my mind up about the whole Rickenbacker thing. I'm not sure it's for me, even without the neck issue.
Good to know, and I will. THanks!
I presently have the light gauge TI flats on mine.
I would have to agree that the prices are a bit high, or at least definitely higher than when I bought mine (06'). That being said, I absolutely LOVE my 4003FL and it would be my main playing bass (it is for gigs) if it didn't look so damn beautiful.
If you are going for a fretless and want some really awesome mwah, then I really think that you cannot beat a 4003FL, especially for the price. There are a lot of great fretlesses out there that will give you similar sound, but many can be even pricier. Anyway, I digress...
As others have said before me, if you really want a Ric, and you love their sound, then you gotta go for it as they truly do have THAT Ric sound you can't get anywhere else.
If you are going for a fretless and want some really awesome mwah, then I really think that you cannot beat a 4003FL, especially for the price. There are a lot of great fretlesses out there that will give you similar sound, but many can be even pricier. Anyway, I digress...
As others have said before me, if you really want a Ric, and you love their sound, then you gotta go for it as they truly do have THAT Ric sound you can't get anywhere else.
It's best to keep light gauge strings on them for that reason. I've heard some horror stores about the bridge so I've always made sure never to use anything over 105 for the E. If I use non-Rick string I use 100 for the E, 80 fo the A.
What's amazing is that Ric uses a 115 for the B (5-string). Not because of the bridge, but because of the neck. I use light gauge, 40-60-80-100-120 on mine. Some people cliam they've used 130 for the B. I'd never put a heavy gauge with high tension on mine that's for sure.
I think the bottom line is a person needs to shop around and compare prices. I've seen some fairly large price gaps for the same model and year Rick. It all depends how much the seller wants to make and how confident they are they can get an inflated price for their bass.
Heck MF just had that 20% off ting last month and it applied to Rick basses. You could buy a new 4003 delivered for about $1,550.00, which is about $350.00 more that they sold for two years ago.
So what's the deal with people trying to get $2,000.00 or more? They're simply looking to cash in.
The other thing is anyone who bought one two years ago and had to wait for delivery from the factory, paid the old price when they secured it and are reaping some nice profit by selling it now at the new, somewhat inflated price.
