Ric 4003 NBD Letdown

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by willsellout

This is not true. It's definitely not the case with Ric's, who, in my experience, have excellent playability right out of the box.

Many times the inability to play without fret buzz is a technique issue (how hard you play).

Spoken like a true fretted player .

But seriously, my Ricks, despite their other tonal problems, I was always able to adjust for a really consistent action, especially higher up on the neck.

Better than any of the Fenders I've played and owned for sure.

But we're still talking about a block of wood and it's going to be tough to find one that's absolutely perfect. If it's got a little bit of a dip here and there after you've set it up on the gnats a$$, you can fix it or at least make it a lot better by simply crowning the frets.

I've seen Billy Sheehan in a video somewhere doing a DIY fret crown with a radius block. It's not rocket science tho one has to be careful. And the end result will help a good bit.

LS

[willsellout]

Listen if I had the coordination to play fretless, I'd do it. But I have sausage fingers and a spastic fretting hand

[kcole4001]

Originally Posted by Pbass4003

.....
Once I get my money and my wits back, I might give WW or PotR a call.

Thanks.

Probably your best option, it's not like you didn't give the other guys a fair chance to make you a satisfied customer.

Wildwood or PotR will pretty much guarantee you satisfaction, especially if you let them know what your previous problems were.
They always go the extra distance to make sure you're happy with the sale from all accounts.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by willsellout

Listen if I had the coordination to play fretless, I'd do it. But I have sausage fingers and a spastic fretting hand

Never stopped me...

But truly, after 3 Ricks, I'm suspicious that there's really a problem and maybe the OP is just expecting too much. Like I said, both my Carvin Bunnies have small S's when the neck is under tension and I've been able to get the action quite acceptable on both of them. And Carvin fingerboards are ground to like .001" or something like that at the factory.
PS: you should see my L2K's fingerboard. Even after sanding down the heel, it's like the Vail ski resort... This one was truly defective, tho, so bad example but I still play it and it's action is ok.

I'm sighting the board on my 4003 right now and to be honest I don't see a dip in it anywhere, but I did on my 4001. My 4003S had a very slight dip in it also...... And they both played fine, so....

LS

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by unclejane

Never stopped me...

But truly, after 3 Ricks, I'm suspicious that there's really a problem and maybe the OP is just expecting too much. Like I said, both my Carvin Bunnies have small S's when the neck is under tension and I've been able to get the action quite acceptable on both of them. And Carvin fingerboards are ground to like .001" or something like that at the factory.
PS: you should see my L2K's fingerboard. Even after sanding down the heel, it's like the Vail ski resort... This one was truly defective, tho, so bad example but I still play it and it's action is ok.

I'm sighting the board on my 4003 right now and to be honest I don't see a dip in it anywhere, but I did on my 4001. My 4003S had a very slight dip in it also...... And they both played fine, so....

LS

Listen, I fully admitted I should have kept the second one and just had my tech fix the nut. AFTER reading these posts, I see that I may have been too picky with that one. Before that, the first bass had chipped binding and the bad setup frightened a first-time buyer. This third bass has a bad neck. I do trust my tech on this one. If you're going to poke me, poke me for sending the 2nd bass with the bad nut back (although it's really pointless now).

I like to think of TB as a classroom where I can be educated by my peers, rather than a schoolyard where I can be ostracized for making a mistake.

[hdracer]

If you want a good Ric,
Buy a used one.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Pbass4003

Listen, I fully admitted I should have kept the second one and just had my tech fix the nut. AFTER reading these posts, I see that I may have been too picky with that one. Before that, the first bass had chipped binding and the bad setup frightened a first-time buyer. This third bass has a bad neck. I do trust my tech on this one. If you're going to poke me, poke me for sending the 2nd bass with the bad nut back (although it's really pointless now).

I like to think of TB as a classroom where I can be educated by my peers, rather than a schoolyard where I can be ostracized for making a mistake.

For what it's worth, my current 4003 has several chips in the binding and it did from new. It was in a music store in Austin, TX, so I was able to see it before buying. I got it with a "blem" discount for $900 something, not bad for a new 4003.

I just don't want you going broke paying all that shipping is all .

LS

[thiocyclist]

Originally Posted by willsellout

Many times the inability to play without fret buzz is a technique issue (how hard you play).

The nature of the strings is also a huge factor. I find the factory Ric rounds very buzzy.

Fretless can be just as bad with the right/wrong strings.

[kcole4001]

RIC's high nut/action can mask some slight fret height issues.
Once I had the action on mine down where I like it I found two frets that were slightly high causing sitar like buzzing, so I leveled them as best I could and it's much better.
It still needs a proper fret job.

Personally, I don't think PBass4003 was being too picky, those basses had issues that should have been caught and fixed before shipping from the factory.
Some were minor, some weren't, but on a new bass there shouldn't have been any glaringly obvious issues.

Don't give up on the brand though, once you find that great bass (and you already know where to get it) you'll hopefully forget about the huge hassle getting, if not it will make you appreciate the end result that much more.

Best of luck.

[ggvicviper]

It's TIME to go to 30th street and see the Ric I've been talking about!

[Pbass4003]

Thanks guys.

I got a deal in the works at PotR that is making me feel a lot better about the brand. Chris is such a cool guy.

I also called about ggvicviper's '88 over a 30th St. A little out of my budget, but I'll check it out if I have time. Sounds cool!

[Immigrant]

Forgive my geographical ignorance in advance.

OP, you live in New York. I live in the sticks on the opposite coast and can find a store with a dozen new Rics hanging high enough that only serious lookers can touch them, less than hour away. I picture NY as having everything you want, from world class coke to the finest hookers, the best food anywhere on the planet, and the best places to buy a bass.

Why mail order/online buying only? In the land of Sadowskis and Foderas there's no store that has Rics in stock?

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by Immigrant

Forgive my geographical ignorance in advance.

OP, you live in New York. I live in the sticks on the opposite coast and can find a store with a dozen new Rics hanging high enough that only serious lookers can touch them, less than hour away. I picture NY as having everything you want, from world class coke to the finest hookers, the best food anywhere on the planet, and the best places to buy a bass.

Why mail order/online buying only? In the land of Sadowskis and Foderas there's no store that has Rics in stock?

That's a good question...

1. Many, many small boutiques, but also with small selections
2. Commercial rent is high, so are the markups to compensate.
3. 9% sales tax
4. Only big store with a big selection and power to price match is Sam Ash. See #3.

From what I hear PotR (just across the river on NJ) has the best of both worlds: tax benefits and brick n mortar service.

If I were specifically looking for a vintage Ric, I would be in heaven here. However, even the used Rics are marked up to the price of a new one from mail order. If you don't believe me, check NY CL.

[greggster59]

Good Move!

Chris is a pleasure to deal with and will do his best to set your bass up the way you like it. One bit of advice. Be specific with him on your preferences.

Don't forget to post photos when you get it.

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by greggster59

Good Move!

Chris is a pleasure to deal with and will do his best to set your bass up the way you like it. One bit of advice. Be specific with him on your preferences.

Don't forget to post photos when you get it.

Consider it done! Only it won't be a MG

[Tvrtko]

It's probably just me... But, I have no tolerance for crap these days. I would probably quit the whole thing at the second bass and never look back. In today's highly competitive world, such things should be a sign of declining brand. I had a plan, sometimes in the future to get myself Ric (just for memorabilia purpose). After reading this tread, I am sure I will not waste any money on the new Ric. Used? Maybe. Depend on the price. As about intrument that plays and sounds well, I am pretty happy with my Tune bass.

If I am John Hill, I would personally bring that bass to you, buddy, with personal apology. That's how real companies do (and stay in) business. Shame.

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by Tvrtko

It's probably just me... But, I have no tolerance for crap these days. I would probably quit the whole thing at the second bass and never look back. In today's highly competitive world, such things should be a sign of declining brand. I had a plan, sometimes in the future to get myself Ric (just for memorabilia purpose). After reading this tread, I am sure I will not waste any money on the new Ric. Used? Maybe. Depend on the price. As about intrument that plays and sounds well, I am pretty happy with my Tune bass.

If I am John Hill [sic], I would personally bring that bass to you, buddy, with personal apology. That's how real companies do (and stay in) business. Shame.

Maybe I'm suffering from a degree of Stockholm syndrome here, but my intent was never to defame RIC, but rather to teach and learn based on my trials. For all I know, the bad neck and/or some of the other issues could have come about by having the bass stored in a cardboard box in warehouse for the last 6 months. Maybe I'll strike gold at a smaller reseller. I love the sound and feel so bad, I am willing to keep digging.

Also, if my MacBook ever takes a dump, I'll make sure Tim Cook personally hand-delivers a new one to me

[audiomitch]

Originally Posted by Tvrtko

If I am John Hill, I would personally bring that bass to you, buddy, with personal apology. That's how real companies do (and stay in) business. Shame.

This always makes me grin. People giving advice on how to stay in business to a company that's been around since 1931 and currently has 2 years worth of back orders to dealers.

But it's the same with Fender and all the "If I were Fender..." posts. Fender sells massive amounts of instruments every year. I don't think they, or Ric, need any advice about "staying in business".

My $.02. Carry on

[Ric5]

Ya ... they are not in danger of going out of business ...

[Kopfjaeger]

I gotta give Pbass4003 mad props for hanging in there. he obviously knows what he wants. So too did I when I bought my first brand new Rickenbacker 4003 from a "big box" store. Luckily, mine was perfect right out of the gate. Would I have hung in as solid as pbass4003 did if I had to send three back? I like to think so since I was committed and I knew what I wanted as well.

Pbass4003, I've been to POtR and met with Chris. He is the real deal! A finer business owner will be hard to find! Seriously. He cares about the product he sells and he knows his way around Rickenbackers like the back of his hand. He is a bass player too so you are getting that aspect and knowledge base as well. If ever I'm in the market for another new Rickenbacker, he will be the first person I call.

Sepp