• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Musicians Friend

#3
It's unfortunate that MF had to get themselves lumbered with California sales tax. :(

A nearly 10% hit on everything is hard to get out from under unless there's a terrific discount upfront.

I've also had a really tough time getting them to honor their discounts and offers. MF has gone from doing anything to make the deal happen to being as obstructive as they possibly can. It's really a night and day difference. Now it's like dealing with a hostile bureaucracy.

I used to spend thousands of bucks a year with them, but I don't think I've bought anything from them in over two years.

I'm still thinking about getting a 4003 and I'll have the above guy give me a price bid if I do. We'll see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steelbed45
#6
Bongolation said:
I'm still thinking about getting a 4003 and I'll have the above guy give me a price bid if I do. We'll see.
Click to expand...

Don't buy a Ric from MF, GC, or any other big box store. It seems that every person on this site that has gotten a Ric from MF has received it with problems that it shouldn't have. It's a little theory that they may get B stock.

Go with Wildwood or Pick of the Ricks.
 
#10
Hmmm...I was thinking that it's worth it to try around sales because they should give you a little extra in top of the sale. Maybe it depends on the item...probably willing to give a deeper discount on stuff they want to move.
 
#11
bassgod0dmw said:
Don't buy a Ric from MF, GC, or any other big box store. It seems that every person on this site that has gotten a Ric from MF has received it with problems that it shouldn't have. It's a little theory that they may get B stock.

Go with Wildwood or Pick of the Ricks.
Click to expand...
They were both out of stock when I looked, which seems pretty two-bit to me.

I go price and return defectives at seller's expense until they get it right. I won't pay extra, ever.

I'm basically of the persuasion that Rickenbackers are just overpriced junk these days, but with enough cherrypicking you can get one that's OK. Maybe. They have numerous serious inherent vices, thanks to modern corner-cutting at RIC. I've gone from definitely intending to get one to about a 25% chance, just from the discouraging Rickenbacker threads here, and only then if I get a great deal adequate enough to compensate me for whatever hassle the whole exercise will probably entail.

If it sounds like I've lost my enthusiasm for the entire thing, that's pretty much the case. I'm waiting to look at a few when the local GC gets them before deciding on whether to bid out on one or just blow the whole thing off.
 
#12
MF doesnt get lemon rics more then any other place . MF just doesnt inspect the basses like wildwood does, so MF sends out the lemons that Wildwood catches and sends back to Ric for repair. I love the misinformation that starts rumours on the internet. Why would Ric send B stock basses to MF?

I had 3 rics from MF, one was terrible. I returned it, one was a decent bass. I sold it at a $200 profit. The last one I bought and still have is fantastic and has ZERO detractors, I have looked it over and over again the past 1 1/2 years I have had it and besides a dark section of wood on the back its perfect and with a natural colored bass thats just what happens sometimes, I actually like it as I can identify it as mine if stolen.

I paid $1080 for the bass from MF in december 2011 and they still made money off it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SirMjac28
#14
A-Step-Towards said:
MF doesnt get lemon rics more then any other place . MF just doesnt inspect the basses like wildwood does, so MF sends out the lemons that Wildwood catches and sends back to Ric for repair. I love the misinformation that starts rumours on the internet. Why would Ric send B stock basses to MF?

I had 3 rics from MF, one was terrible. I returned it, one was a decent bass. I sold it at a $200 profit. The last one I bought and still have is fantastic and has ZERO detractors, I have looked it over and over again the past 1 1/2 years I have had it and besides a dark section of wood on the back its perfect and with a natural colored bass thats just what happens sometimes, I actually like it as I can identify it as mine if stolen.

I paid $1080 for the bass from MF in december 2011 and they still made money off it.
Click to expand...


I don't know about b-stock from rick to MF - but apply a little critical thinking. The Wal-mart market model shows that large enough retailers dictate the price point a manufacturer will build to. Manufacturers play along due to the market share involved - they basically have to play to stay in business. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that many manufacturers selling through MF would cut corners to reach that price point.
 
#18
richntiff said:
I don't know about b-stock from rick to MF - but apply a little critical thinking. The Wal-mart market model shows that large enough retailers dictate the price point a manufacturer will build to. Manufacturers play along due to the market share involved - they basically have to play to stay in business. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that many manufacturers selling through MF would cut corners to reach that price point.
Click to expand...

So RIC makes two different 4003 models and maintains two separate inventories, one for MF and one for everyone else? Don't buy it. Not for a minute. To make it work, RIC would have to have an extremely large manufacturing plant and be able to distinguish raw materials and finished product. That's hard to do when most stores are on back order or have low stock.

I tried buying a 4003 several times. 4 from MF and two more from the wall at Sam Ash. None were worth my hard earned cash. It's a darn shame because deep down inside, I still want one.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back