Ric 4003 NBD Letdown

[RickenBoogie]

Yes, Schallers come equipped standard. All you need is the strap side, (which Ric *should* include). No reason to remove the locks already installed on the bass. And, best of luck, I hope the rep[lacement is up to snuff.

[Pbass4003]

Good to know about the stock locks, but I prefer Dunlop. I had a set of Schallers on my then-new AmStd Jazz as a teen--locks failed on stage with my school Gospel band. Bass crashed on ground and survived, but hurt my pride. I guess I'm once bit, twice shy, but never had a problem with the JDs--even during my Screamo phase LOL. No quirky compatibility issues installing the JD buttons on the bass, right?

[254 stringer]

Yeah the ric schaller buttons have their own bolt bigger than the screws that come with other strap buttons. Plus its one piece you will have to get some pliers and twist it out then fill the hole for the smaller screws.

[Pbass4003]

Balls. So I can't use the Dunlops without slight modification to the body? If so, no thank you. I'm not concerned with sending the JDs back more than having to use the crappy (IMO/IME) Schaller locks. Any confirmation the strap part of the system is included in the case candy? Thanks.

[greggster59]

No, you have to buy a set of Schallers to get the strap buttons.

I did the same thing with Ernie Ball Super Locks, my favorites. Fortunately, I already had a spare set and wanted to use them but, like 254 stringer said the screw holes for the Schallers are larger than most. They tend to come loose, too. It's a good idea to put some Loctite Red or Blue on the threads to keep them snug.

[Tarrbot]

Originally Posted by phishaholik

I know nothing about Rics and have no dog in this fight, but you bought a brand new instrument from a retailer that had something wrong with it from the factory and you had to send it in for a warranty repair?

For that kind of money I would be furious that I had to immediately box it up and return it to the manufacturer for a repair and I can't even imagine having it sent back with the repair not done correctly. I know a lot of people love Rics here and I'm not bashing a brand that I've never played, but that sounds beyond ridiculous to me. Maybe I'm not getting something.


Michael

You know, what a lot of people fail to understand is the type of place they buy from.

I hesitate to use a car analogy but in this instance, I think it's warranted.

Someone bought a car from a dealer, the dealer let the car get to the buyer without being tuned up and looked over. The dealer hoped the buyer wouldn't notice and just pay for it as is.

In that parallel instance, the dealer said to send it back to the manufacturer for repair since it didn't want any part of the problem that it let slip by its own process.

The real difference here is that car dealers have a warranty program through the manufacturer so you don't have to send the car directly back to the dealer.

A good guitar dealer will do a once-over of their sale. They will do a setup (whether it's to your specs is left to each individual dealer).

A large conglomerate dealer is just hoping beyond hope that the guitar that was returned 3 times can be repackaged and shipped back out to another buyer that doesn't raise too much hell over it. Eventually, the dealer either caves and tells the buyer to go to the manufacturer or they take it back again and the process starts all over. In those big conglomerates, it wouldn't surprise me that 10-20% of their inventory is ages old bad QC'd stuff that people want to cry about online (rightfully so, mind you). That 10-20% crap inventory is just waiting for the next "less picky" buyer to take it out of their inventory.

This inventory churn does happen. Maybe to a different percentage than I state because I honestly don't know the recidivism numbers. But it is a real thing that really does happen.

So, you get to choose: do you want to risk it with a mass sales house that shovels loads of items out their door or do you want an individual and customized sales experience? After all, you are the buyer right?

But... it's your money to spend how you want. Bon chance!

[Pbass4003]

So... I got my replacement from Zzounds. It took over a week to exchange my bass for the new one because of Zzounds' server issues (I know). You know where this is going, but I wanted to first say that the neck, binding, and grain looked pretty nice on this bass. However, I am sending it back AGAIN because another F-ed up nut! This one is even worse because now the lateral spacing is messed up. It's set a few mm too far to the G side (I actually found it easy to over-fret the G because it's landing close to where the frets slope). It get's crazier: I noticed the treble pickup (upon removing the cover) was mounted on the bottom bracket of the assembling off center—I can only assume that the drunkard at the RIC factory put the nut on incorrectly aligned pickup poles to the misaligned strings!!

Please look at these pictures and tell me I'm not nuts. First look the string alignment on the fingerboard. Now look at the treble pickup (see how the G side of the pickup is tight against the treble bezel). Finally, look at how the nut is sitting in the slot (or lack thereof)! ***.

Going crazy here. Want to bail and go with PotR, but they won't have another MG for 6-12. So should I..

1. Let Zzounds send me another MG betting on the probability that lightning won't strike thrice.
2. Get a refund from Zzounds and snatch up that Fireglo from PotR or get a MG from Wildwood.
3. Keep this bass, then pay a tech to realign the nut and p'ups/ship to RIC for warranty repair (both will cost roughly same bc of shipping).
4. ????

*Unfortunately, can't buy locally bc of sales tax and lack of options in NY area (budget is tight)
**I did play a JG at Sam Ash with perfect fit and finish that affirmed how much I love Rics. Just want a good one.

[Pbass4003]

Here are the nut and p'up close-ups.

[Immigrant]

Were the pole pieces off before you put on the mod?

I think you're being too picky about the pole pieces. It won't even matter, except to you.

But, I understand your frustration. One would expect absolute perfection for the amount of money spent.

It's too bad there isn't a retailer near you like the one where I am. At least a dozen new Rics to choose from on any given day and they match online prices.

Good luck.

[Ric5]

You should get a refund and use the money to buy a p-bass.

Why do people who don't like Rics buy them?

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by Ric5

You should get a refund and use the money to buy a p-bass.

Why do people who don't like Rics buy them?

C'mon, man. How is that helpful? I love Rics and I've been saving for this bass forever (and own a great P bass). I don't get your angle...

[spiritbass]

The bridge was not positioned/mounted properly on your latest MG. Mine had the same problem, but was not as pronounced. The problem is obvious when you note the narrow distance from the 'G' to the edge of the fretboard compared to the wide distance from the 'E' to the edge. I'd be returning it for sure...

[greggster59]

The pickup can be realigned by a tech. The nut can be replaced and the string spacing adjusted at the bridge. If the neck is straight and there are no serious issues with the finish this bass is better than the one you sent back.

But, I understand your frustration at not getting the quality you're paying for. If you pay boutique prices for a production model then the QC should be more consistent.

Again, as someone who went through a similar experience, when I aired my grievances and concerns to Chris at POTR, he went out of his way to make sure the bass he sold me was not only in great shape but set up just the way I wanted it. This included filing the nut to get nice low action and making the neck super straight. Rics are the only basses I've played that don't favor neck relief.

I have read a few posts on TB where the POTR experience wasn't as good as mine but if you spend some time on the phone with Chris you are likely going to be satisfied.

I'm amazed that with all the bad experiences people have regarding Rics the company doesn't do something to avoid this. There's nothing like a well made Ric but finding one should not be such a PITA.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[willsellout]

The pickup pole pieces will be fine, and they are adjustable so if there is an issue, you should be able to fix it with a setup. The crooked angle of the pickup happens on almost every Ric I've seen.

The nut can be fixed quite easily and fairly cheaply if you really wanted to keep it.

Here's my take on the major box retailers. I think they get these dogs of basses returned and they keep recycling them to people in hopes that one of them will accept it.

I'd return it and grab one from a notable retailer. Mine is out for delivery today and I have confidence that it will arrive in excellent shape because I bought it from a good shop.

[thiocyclist]

If you really like the bass besides the nut it is DIRT cheap to replace it properly or have it worked on. I kind of think you just aren't going to like the Ric no matter what at this point because this is an awfully minor thing to return a bass over. The pole pieces are absolutely fine.

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by spiritbass

The bridge was not positioned/mounted properly on your latest MG. Mine had the same problem, but was not as pronounced. The problem is obvious when you note the narrow distance from the 'G' to the edge of the fretboard compared to the wide distance from the 'E' to the edge. I'd be returning it for sure...

Now this is a bigger deal than a nut issue. How did you get to this conclusion? Thanks BTW.

[NYCbassist]

Not saying to keep that one but I don't think I've ever seen a Bass where each string was 100% exactly centred over every pole piece. It has to get pretty far off to affect tone or output. My Sadowsky was pretty close but still not perfect. as for the Nut, that was my biggest complaint with Stingray 5'rs. I just had The tech at Dave Phillips put a new nut on. They "sqeezed" the strings together just a tiny little bit and slightly in from the edges. $35 but well worth it. I really wish you'd get an acceptable one you want so you could start enjoying it. GL with decision

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by Pbass4003

Now this is a bigger deal than a nut issue. How did you get to this conclusion? Thanks BTW.

Return it. Is there any reason why you can't get a refund and spend it at POTR or Wildwood guitars?

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Not saying to keep that one but I don't think I've ever seen a Bass where each string was 100% exactly centred over every pole piece. It has to get pretty far off to affect tone or output. My Sadowsky was pretty close but still not perfect. as for the Nut, that was my biggest complaint with Stingray 5'rs. I just had The tech at Dave Phillips put a new nut on. They "sqeezed" the strings together just a tiny little bit and slightly in from the edges. $35 but well worth it. I really wish you'd get an acceptable one you want so you could start enjoying it. GL with decision

Thanks for this. I wish I didn't mention the pole pieces in that post, I get that's it's not a big deal at all, I was just venting. The biggest concern is the lateral alignment bringing the G too close to the edge.

That said... bridge or nut issue?

I may keep it if it's just the nut. CAN'T WAIT TO LOVE THIS BASS.

[greggster59]

If the strings are favoring one side of neck at the lower frets, it might be the nut.

If not, it could be a setup issue where the saddles have not been properly centered and is easily remedied. A more serious issue would be if the bridge itself was not centered properly.