What happened to Rickenbacker?

[CheckBass]

I have been considering buying a Rickenbacker for some time but it is next to impossible to find anything in Europe.
I would not mind travelling to the USA to get one there but a quick online search led to nothing.

The official Rickenbacker website is not encouraging either. It looks old/dead.

What happened to Rickenbacker?

 

[MonetBass]

Yeah, their site screams "Welcome to the 90s!", doesn't it?

I see that Musician's Friend and Sweetwater have a bunch. Were you looking for a specific model?

 

[Killing Floor]

??
Their demand exceeds their capacity. That’s a pretty good problem.

Agree their website is from the age of DOS.

 

[CheckBass]

Yeah, their site screams "Welcome to the 90s!", doesn't it?

I see that Musician's Friend and Sweetwater have a bunch. Were you looking for a specific model?

A white 4003 (doesn't seem to even exists though ), black will do too.
I checked the Sweetwater site but all models have to be ordered, nothing is available.
The Musician's friend website is not working from where I am, all searches lead to a page showing a used BX500 Bass Amp Head

Are these brick and mortar shops anyways? Because I would need to test the bass before I buy it.

 

[Wood and Wire]

I think the general consensus seems to be that Wildwood are the people to speak to, if you want a great Ric, at a great price (I believe they still ship internationally).

I'm seeing probably the most Ric's I've seen in stores, since the 90's second hand market.

Admittedly, most of the brand new Ric's I'm seeing here in the U.K. bricks & mortar stores, are the limited edition 4005XC, but there are 4003 & 4003S models around.

 

[trothwell]

I've been interested in Rickenbacker basses for about 25 years. I think I've only seen one in a physical store on three occasions across those 25 years. In my observation, they have always been hard to come by.

I did finally get one last year though! Exceedingly happy with it. Best wishes for you to track one down too!

 

[msb]

There used to be The Rickenbacker Farm in Holland , but I think the owner passed last year.

 

[ajkula66]

I think the general consensus seems to be that Wildwood are the people to speak to, if you want a great Ric, at a great price (I believe they still ship internationally).

This. If I were shopping for a non-vintage Rickenbacker, that would be the very first call I'd be making.

Good luck.

 

[selowitch]

Have you contacted Wildwood Guitars? They have some Rickenbackers in stock.

 

[micguy]

Rickenbacker has decided, long ago, to not chase the demand they might have, but to stick at a certain production level, and raise prices to what the market will bear. The gives the company a very stable income, and the workers have very secure jobs. If your goal is to make the most money possible, they are leaving some on the table, but if you have a passion for your product, and care about your workforce, it's a very smart strategy. It means their customers have to wait, though.

 

[ClassicJazz]

Rickenbacker hasn’t updated their website in many years. If you click on Recent News, the last article was from 2014. Around four years ago I bought a brand new 4003SW. Beautiful bass. But the fret work was absolutely horrendous. No idea how it left the factory. Super sharp fret ends on both sides of the neck. I had a $179 Harley Benton bass that had way, and I mean WAY better fret work. I called them up about it and just got lots of attitude. As far as I am concerned, their management is totally clueless.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I may be wrong, but I think Rickenbacker only makes one model of guitar or bass every year as compared to other makers that make many models simultaneously.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Same as they ever were.
Wildwood, as many have mentioned, plus a couple at this little shop in ATL.

Bass | Product categories | Atlanta Discount Music

Keep lookin, you'll find your Rick.

 

[sleddogn]

Wildwood, Sam Ash as others have mentioned

 

[J Wilson]

"The official Rickenbacker website is not encouraging either. It looks old/dead."

Yep.

 

[Giffro]

I have been considering buying a Rickenbacker for some time but it is next to impossible to find anything in Europe.
I would not mind travelling to the USA to get one there but a quick online search led to nothing.

The official Rickenbacker website is not encouraging either. It looks old/dead.

What happened to Rickenbacker?

@CheckBass Have you checked out Robbie Bryan at Rickysounds UK? He usually has a selection available. Use his email to chat or call him to query his stock. Not affiliated btw
4003 Archives - For Everything Rickenbacker

 

[Gaolee]

I've been interested in Rickenbacker basses for about 25 years. I think I've only seen one in a physical store on three occasions across those 25 years. In my observation, they have always been hard to come by.

I did finally get one last year though! Exceedingly happy with it. Best wishes for you to track one down too!

They were fairly common in shops out here, relative, a few years ago. Meaning you would see one or two of them here and there. Not any more.

 

[Gaolee]

I may be wrong, but I think Rickenbacker only makes one model of guitar or bass every year as compared to other makers that make many models simultaneously.

They only make one or two models of bass guitar anyway. I got my Ric ya-yas out by finding a Rickenfaker built in Japan 45 or 50 years ago. Finding a real one was too expensive and too hit-or miss anyway.

 

[devnulljp]

2 year wait for one in Canada if that's any help.
So used prices are high.

 

[Gizmot]

I have been considering buying a Rickenbacker for some time but it is next to impossible to find anything in Europe.
I would not mind travelling to the USA to get one there but a quick online search led to nothing.

The official Rickenbacker website is not encouraging either. It looks old/dead.

What happened to Rickenbacker?

You’re right - Rickenbacker has succeeded in spite of themselves.

Their website is a joke and they hardly ever do anything new and certainly nothing innovative.

The only thing they have going for them is that their instruments are pretty good. I’ve owned Rics for 44 years and all I can say is that they are very satisfying to play and their workmanship is outstanding.