Lefty Rickenbackers cometh

[andrew]

Hey everyone, if you've been waiting patiently for Ricky to make more 4003's they just did a batch that are shipping now/already at dealers. Check with your Ricky guy, they're out there.

I see someone selling one on Ebay now for $2400+. Unless that's the going price since Rick's price increase you should look around first, you might find a better price.

[Matt R.]

$1399 on Musician's Friend

[tallboybass]

$1399 on Musician's Friend

Hi Matt, the website says 'backordered 'til 2009'....do you know for sure that they have them in stock?

Thanks, Alan

[Matt R.]

no, you're right, they are still just providing the price by email

[pjmuck]

$1399 on Musician's Friend

Well that price is more like it. Rick pricing has gone through the roof lately, if only because people are willing to pay stupid money because there's a year wait for them.

[andrew]

I've been waiting for over two years for mine and it looks like it's only now coming in. In that time they've rocketed in price. I havn't heard what the new price will be yet, but in Canada it'll be over $2000 I'm sure.

[Lefty007]

I doubt the MF will honor that old price; they just haven't updated their system. I had an order in with MF and Music123 about 6 month ago, but they canceled my order because the uncertainty of when it was going to be delivered.

The new list price is $2159, so figure a street price of $1600-$1700.

Keep you eyes peeled for big-chain dealers that might have them at that price, since they don't really price-gouge, but smaller dealer might take full advantage of the situation and sell them for $2400+, which is the going market value.

I'm guilty as charge. I recently sold my two Rics for $2500 each. But for our European friends, that's not too much. . .

[andrew]

The new list price is $2159, so figure a street price of $1600-$1700.

Keep you eyes peeled for big-chain dealers that might have them at that price, since they don't really price-gouge, but smaller dealer might take full advantage of the situation and sell them for $2400+, which is the going market value.

You hit the nail exactly on the head Carlos. I got an email from "The Rickenbacker Page" today and they have Jetglo 4003 in stock that they quoted me $2599 on!!!!

Rickenbackers are nice basses, but dang, they aren't $2600 nice. I really hope mine is offered for less than that from my local dealer.

[Lefty007]

Sam Ash.com shows them in stock today.

Price is $2,129.99.

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem. ... earch=true

[pjmuck]

Do you guys realize that this represents a price increase of 55% from last year's prices?! Sorry, but Rick can piss off. Better off trying to find a used one, IMO.

[andrew]

If I wasn't waiting so long for the one I ordered I wouldn't pay $2500 for a new one, but I'm on the hook for that one at least.

[Pbass58]

I just picked up a brand new 4003 here in New Haven, Ct. for $2100. It's not cheap, but worth every penny. For a change. I found one in something other than jet-glo (this one is maple glow). Rickenbacker also notified its dealers this week that they will be on "hiatus" from building lefties for some time. I'll send photos soon.

Bart

[andrew]

After some twists and wrangling my 4003 did arrive. It is the nicest 4003 I've ever played, by far. Lightweight, very resonant, with loads of that signature Ricky chime. Don't know if I could say it's worth the wait, simply because the wait was beyond ridiculous, but I'm glad to finally get it.

[tallboybass]

After some twists and wrangling my 4003 did arrive. It is the nicest 4003 I've ever played, by far. Lightweight, very resonant, with loads of that signature Ricky chime. Don't know if I could say it's worth the wait, simply because the wait was beyond ridiculous, but I'm glad to finally get it.

Congrats Andrew! Is the neck totally left-handed....i.e. the triangular markers fatter on the top? Which way do the pots turn up?

Thanks, Alan

[pjmuck]

Great news, Andrew! Pix please. What finish did you get?

[andrew]

Congrats Andrew! Is the neck totally left-handed....i.e. the triangular markers fatter on the top? Which way do the pots turn up?

Thanks, Alan

Thanks for the reminder Alan, I meant to mention that. Yes, it does have a fully left handed neck, the first I've ever seen with it actually. It has the fingerboard inlays on the top of the board, like on a righty one. the pots turn clockwise as you wear the bass to increase volume, like other Ricky basses I've owned.

It's a JetGlo. I'll try to snap some pics of it and other basses this weekend.

[pjmuck]

Just curious: Are these basses only offered in Fireglo, Jetglo, and Mapleglo at the moment, or are there other finish options available for righties?

I really liked the Montezuma finish offered a few years ago.

[andrew]

As far as I know you can get a lefty bass in any finish they offer from Rickenbacker, so that'd also include midnight blue and the colors of the year when they're being offered. Unfortunately I've heard second hand that Rickenbacker aren't accepting new lefty orders from their dealers at all right now.

I loved Montezuma Brown. Why Rickenbacker didn't turn that into a regular finish I'll never know. That finish was hella sweet looking. I also liked the Amber Fireglo finish. Some of the colors of the year have been really nice, others I didn't much care for.

[Pbass58]

Here is a picture of the 4003 I picked up in New Haven a couple of weeks back. Has anyone noticed that all of a sudden there has been a lot of new lefty Ricks on ebay?

Bart

[pjmuck]

Beautiful bass. I'm guessing that all those lefty orders that were placed over a year ago are finally delivering.