Is "Everybody Luke's to Birch" some new indie band? Cool name!
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Is "Everybody Luke's to Birch" some new indie band? Cool name!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Slight thread jack... anyone care to enlighten me why used Rics never seem to drop much in price. My understanding is that you can buy a new 4003 for around $1400 if you shop around and make use of coupon offers from MF and the like. But it seems like I never see a used 4003 for less than that unless it’s been abused in some way. OK, maybe I’ve seen a couple for $1250-1300, but certain not in the $800 range that I paid for my barely used Fender USA Jazz. You’re more likely to see used ones for $1800 and up. I’m not complaining, just saying I don’t know why such a relatively easy to find bass bucks the depreciation trend.
^ That being said, a Ric is always very near the top of my GAS list.
I don't know if they really are backlogged but that would explain high used prices, people are prepared to pay new prices for used to get it now, instead of waiting.
Some limited production prestige cars will sell for more slightly used than new with a waiting list.
- Jan 1, 2014
- 1,016
- 3,480
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- Decendant from the Clovis culture. "Emitting that wonderful bass effect since 1970".
It's kind of nice to see a company not really change much in decades while all other company's are trying to change as quickly as they can.
Rickenbacker is like the old geezer at the end of the street that tells you to get off his lawn. Makes the neighborhood more interesting.
Now get off of my lawn before me and my 4001 whomp you upside the head!
Rickenbacker is like the old geezer at the end of the street that tells you to get off his lawn. Makes the neighborhood more interesting.
Now get off of my lawn before me and my 4001 whomp you upside the head!
You do know that Mercedes builds cars in Mexico , Brazil, Canada , US, and like 14 other countries, right ?
I think that Rickenbacker is probably doing a smart thing for the value of their brand by not offering a lower priced line. There’s no doubt they could turn more numbers if they did, but it would make their brand name less special.
I also think that they’re missing a huge opportunity by not offering basses with step-up features like active electronics, a better bridge (I put a Hipshot on one of mine and it made a huge difference). I bet that a lot of players would be interested in a modern Ric bass.
I also think that they’re missing a huge opportunity by not offering basses with step-up features like active electronics, a better bridge (I put a Hipshot on one of mine and it made a huge difference). I bet that a lot of players would be interested in a modern Ric bass.
I have to say I'm glad there isn't an import line.
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If they just move out from California, the price will drop 50%.
No, their PROFIT will double 50%.
They will still charge the same amount. Just like how companies who move to China don't lower the price on their formerly US made products. They just increase their profit 10 fold by selling for the same price as before while building things for 10 times less.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Why no Rickenbacker import line?
That will never happen … why? because they don't want to do it that way
That will never happen … why? because they don't want to do it that way
The reason is very simple: ric is a carpenter’s workshop that builds musical instruments, complete with a carpenter’s workshop mentality. The foreman’s name is Mr Hall.
The guys at ric simply don’t understand that they could make millions from licensing deals alone without any investment on their end.
Rica have always sold for roughly the same as USA fenders (give or take 200 bucks) but with a much higher production cost.
I would understand ric not wanting some overseas production if this were a 5,000 USD+ bass , but at the current price, come on!!
The guys at ric simply don’t understand that they could make millions from licensing deals alone without any investment on their end.
Rica have always sold for roughly the same as USA fenders (give or take 200 bucks) but with a much higher production cost.
I would understand ric not wanting some overseas production if this were a 5,000 USD+ bass , but at the current price, come on!!
...not until John Hall takes that great dirt nap in the sky and Ben gets a bit greedy.
Since I work for Mercedes US International Inc. I really got a chuckle out of this comparison. And yes Mercedes is doing fine with their current offerings.
And they are building plants in South Africa and China. But here's the thing about Mercedes. Most of their plants serve a specific region, not the entire world. The plant in Mexico serves the Mexican, as well as the South and Central American markets. You won't find a new Mercedes made in Mexico in any other markets. The plant being built in China is specifically for the Asian market, and so on.
One exception to that is the plant in Vance, AL as it is the sole Mercedes plant making SUVs and therefore the vehicles from it serve over a 135 markets worldwide. Another exception to that are the plants in Germany. They serve markets outside of just Europe such as the United States and parts of the middle east, the rich parts.
But for the most part Mercedes is building vehicles in the regions they intend to sell them in. The reason for that is it is a way around import tariffs. They still have to import parts and such, but not complete automobiles, therefore they pay less in import tariffs by assembling specific vehicles in specific regions. It's a lesson U.S. automakers have tried to mimic, but have yet to fully grasp.
Anyway, enough about Mercedes...
Rickenbacker for the time being, will never go overseas to Asia, or anywhere else, to provide a cheaper line of their instruments for the sole reason that they keep stuff very proprietary and under wraps from the competition. Like they really have any competition. But that's why they really have no competition. They rule their design and manufacturing with an iron fist and don't allow anyone else to do it, which is why you will never find a counterfeit that is as anywhere near as good as the real thing. Or that's what they want us to believe, allowing them to command the prices they do for their instruments.
I would be willing to bet that there are some counterfeits that are even better than the real thing. But they are made and sold illegally because of Ric's iron first control. Therefore the number of such illegal instruments is relatively small in the grand scheme of things.
Because of the way Ric handles their business there is not another bass design that is even close in looks to a Ric. Therefore they have no competition, and no need to go overseas with production to offer a cheaper line to the masses. They are the "Apple Inc" of the bass world. Pay their price for their product, or go buy something cheaper from someone else that they want you to believe is also inferior to a Ric product.
Mercedes is actually owned by Daimler AG. Not Dodge. Dodge doesn't own anyone. As a matter of fact Dodge is owned by FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
