Ric 4003 NBD Letdown - Page 8

Matt R. · #**141** 12-13-2012, 03:37 PM

Well left or right handed makes no difference. The bottom line is that the instruments we got should have never left the factory. Utterly unplayable.

mcm · #**142** 12-13-2012, 04:02 PM

Go with another bass. I couldn't handle that

Addison · #**143** 12-13-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiocyclist

Weird you lefties are getting bum necks, I don't see why it'd be any harder or even different to make a lefty neck than a right-handed one. And all of my Rics have had fine necks. Doesn't make sense. Maybe they sourced more wood than they usually do and lowered the quality bar in order to get some lefties out the door finally.

If a company's QC completely falls apart in order to get an extra 50 basses out the door in a given year, then their problems are WAY bigger than poorly cut nuts, crooked bridges and warped/sloped necks.

Pbass4003 · #**144** 12-13-2012, 04:51 PM

This thread has been very informative. Even the more "aggressive" Ric-enthousists in this thread have given me added insight.

Zzounds may have given me an offer I couldn't refuse with the $100 credit, BUT if they burn me one more time, I think I'm gong to snatch up that last FG from PotR. I'd consider just getting another MG from Wildwood, but if I do get burned again I don't know if I can stomach to look at Mapleglo ever again

...I will burn back with Fireglo! Amiright? *cricket*

But seriously, I'm not that picky, really. The alignment issue was a big one for me especially because she'll be wearing TI flats. If the next one is playable, end of story.

Thanks again!

electracoyote · #**145** 12-13-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

I also have three Ric 4003's (all recent models) none of mine are perfect either but they are all great. But I must say, and I am not making excuses, that there is another great bass maker that had a very similar problem aligning the strings on their 5 string models. It happens....no bass or guitar maker is free from hits and misses in production issues.

Absolutely. This is hardly an issue that is limited to Rickenbacker, not by a long shot.

The troubling part of the strings not aligning on the fretboard of a set- or through-neck instrument is, you can't do a simple neck re-set like you can on a bolt-neck guitar. You're looking at whether the nut was seated, slotted, and filed correctly, or whether the bridge assembly or saddles were seated correctly. The bridge is almost always seated correctly, as these are CNC'd and every one should be identical, so I'm always suspicious when people claim their bridge was seated wrong.

If you have a saddle set that each one can move laterally, then it's an easy fix. The nut, not so easy. If you don't know how to do it, you'll have to have a tech knock out the old one and build and install a new one.

Either way, it's something that should not happen to a new bass owner. Yet I see this issue all the time, all brands, all countries of origin, all price points. Fortunately, it's still a small minority of cases in my experience, but a pisser nonetheless when you're the unlucky one.

BTW, I sent my Gibson Les Pauls back to the internet warehouse retailer over this very same issue. I didn't give up on the brand or the model though, and found the keeper at Wildwood, FWIW.

If you're truly enthused about the guitar, sometimes you have to clean a few oysters to find the pearl. It's not the ideal, but it is the reality.

Matt R. · #**146** 12-13-2012, 05:25 PM

Yeah, I'm personally not writing Ric off myself. Ive owned 4 before this one and they were all awesome. This one was the first turd in my experience.

kcole4001 · #**147** 12-13-2012, 05:47 PM

Hopefully they have fully inspected this last one they're sending you.
That was the agreement, and it's obviously in their own best interest to see that you're a satisfied customer after the dust settles.

Best of luck on this round.

thiocyclist · #**148** 12-13-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addison

If a company's QC completely falls apart in order to get an extra 50 basses out the door in a given year, then their problems are WAY bigger than poorly cut nuts, crooked bridges and warped/sloped necks.

Don't look at me. I'm just trying to wrap my head around you guys getting bum necks. Makes no sense.

boristhespider9 · #**149** 12-13-2012, 07:14 PM

RIC came off my GAS list after I got a new one, it had a defective bridge and was generally a boat anchor.

It looked very cool though. QC and overall playability...not for me.

I hate those basses that look awesome but don't play well. I've had too many of those!

willsellout · #**150** 12-13-2012, 07:16 PM

Mine just arrived. I'm letting it come to temp as it was about 40 degrees outside.

NYCbassist · #**151** 12-13-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

RIC came off my GAS list after I got a new one, it had a defective bridge and was generally a boat anchor.

It looked very cool though. QC and overall playability...not for me.

I hate those basses that look awesome but don't play well. I've had too many of those!

How much for the boat anchor? I'll pay $ 1300 for any 2012 Ric that is considered a boat anchor unless it was purposely abused.

boristhespider9 · #**152** 12-13-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

How much for the boat anchor? I'll pay $ 1300 for any 2012 Ric that is considered a boat anchor unless it was purposely abused.

Sorry...sent back to MF a while ago...soon after I got it.

NYCbassist · #**153** 12-13-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Sorry...sent back to MF a while ago...soon after I got it.

Exactly my point. Even with all these supposed problems, You can't get a used Ric for under about $1600 because they are some of the very best basses on the planet.

boristhespider9 · #**154** 12-13-2012, 08:14 PM

Or they are just priced high.

willsellout · #**155** 12-13-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Exactly my point. Even with all these supposed problems, You can't get a used Ric for under about $1600 because they are some of the very best basses on the planet.

You can get a used Ric for under 1600.00. But why would you go used when you can get a new Ric for under 1600.00.

And while I do think they are great basses I wouldn't put them in the "very best" category. A bass would have to be shielded to qualify for that IMO

Rickenbassist · #**156** 12-13-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Exactly my point. Even with all these supposed problems, You can't get a used Ric for under about $1600 because they are some of the very best basses on the planet.

I've yet to pay over a grand for any of the 5 Rics I've owned. 2 of which I still own. Sounds like you're either not looking in the right places or not waiting for a decent deal.

willsellout · #**157** 12-13-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Or they are just priced high.

The prices you can find now are about where they should be for a Ric; roughly 1500.00 give or take, depending on who you go through.

msb · #**158** 12-13-2012, 08:40 PM

I'm an old bass player . Truth be told , I'm am an old Pbass guy that has a Ric appreciation .

Fact is I play .

I listen to how a bass responds and plays . Truth is that pole pieces lining up has little to do with the magnetic field involved . And you get a generic setup from any manufacturer .

Once you set one up for your playing style they are probably among they are most stable instruments made ( especially the old one's ) .

Addison · #**159** 12-13-2012, 08:43 PM

Brand new lefty Rics are currently selling for $1900 at the absolute lowest I've found.

If anyone finds something lower, PM me please... I might be willing to give them another go if the shop knows what their doing and is willing to look it over for me.

**Ric5** · #**160** 12-13-2012, 08:46 PM

All of the basses that the OP sent back as defective I could have fixed in a very short time in my basement workshop.

It is amazing how well a Rick plays when the nut is lowered.