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New Rickenbacker - QC Issues....

theevilplankton

theevilplankton

Jul 9, 2009
950
719
#1
I've been playing Rics for quite a while, and I'm aware of the QC 'issues' that can come with them.

I've now got 2 4003's, both of which I thought were all okay. But...

My 2009, when I bought it, had a really quiet neck pup. There's a lot of various forums about the problems and weaknesses of these, so I wasn't unduly concerned.

After playing and gigging it for about 6 months, I booked into a top luthier for a bit of a tweak and setup, as it hadn't been touched from the factory. Also get the neck pup adjusted.

Got the call yesterday - setup done, but neck pup could not be tweaked - it's basically busted. There is a slight signal, but it's go to come out and be stripped.

Because I didn't buy it from the 'official' importer (2+ years wait time), there's not real warranty at this time.

I looked at a replacement, but the luthier is going to repair it. He's a top class luthier, works with some massive names, so I've got no problem with that.

What has got me is, once again, the Ric QC. In a factory of 'handmade' instruments, how the heck do these things go unchecked?

I do read the Ric forums, and I'm aware of other peoples issues they've had. Pointless putting this on the company forum, it would probably get deleted.

I love these basses, but they all annoy the hell out of me!

Thought I'd just share this with the TB community.
 
#6
I feel your pain.

I's unfortunate about the hit & miss quality that comes out of that plant. You'd think Rickenbacker, after all these years, would have their act together. The unpleasant reality is they don't. And may never for that matter.

You might want to post your observation on the official Ric forum. It's worth a try. I know what you mean, and I would imagine many others might as well, that those threads are highly scrutinized and deleted for material thar may put the company's product in a bad, but true, light.

They are nice instrument, but by no means are they where they should be , especially given the price one has to pay.
 
#7
Honestly, (and I'm not really defending the company), I think they're letting a bunch of stuff out the doors "unchecked" because they're still trying to catch up from the backlog. Wouldn't be surprised at all if only half or so get the complete "going over", to save time. Not that it's right, of course, it isn't. You pay alot for a new Ric, and should expect near perfection. Seems like stories like these have been much more common in the last 2 or 3 yrs.
 
#8
RickenBoogie said:
Honestly, (and I'm not really defending the company), I think they're letting a bunch of stuff out the doors "unchecked" because they're still trying to catch up from the backlog. Wouldn't be surprised at all if only half or so get the complete "going over", to save time. Not that it's right, of course, it isn't. You pay alot for a new Ric, and should expect near perfection. Seems like stories like these have been much more common in the last 2 or 3 yrs.
Click to expand...

I remember reading how they actually made their operation a bit smaller, seriously a company like Ric should be hiring more employees and expanding.

Not out sourcing at all just making their US operation a bit bigger, they should have the money considering their backlog. As well there is no excuse that "it risks lack of quality control if we expand" considering that they already have QC issues.

When i get a Rick it will be used, its funny because my favorite bass is a Rick and i hate the way they run their business, my favorite guitar is a Les paul and i hate the way Gibson runs theirs.


1700$ should get you AMAZING quality
 
#9
KingCrimson said:
I remember reading how they actually made their operation a bit smaller, seriously a company like Ric should be hiring more employees and expanding.

Not out sourcing at all just making their US operation a bit bigger, they should have the money considering their backlog. As well there is no excuse that "it risks lack of quality control if we expand" considering that they already have QC issues.

When i get a Rick it will be used, its funny because my favorite bass is a Rick and i hate the way they run their business, my favorite guitar is a Les paul and i hate the way Gibson runs theirs.


1700$ should get you AMAZING quality
Click to expand...

RickenBoogie said:
Honestly, (and I'm not really defending the company), I think they're letting a bunch of stuff out the doors "unchecked" because they're still trying to catch up from the backlog. Wouldn't be surprised at all if only half or so get the complete "going over", to save time. Not that it's right, of course, it isn't. You pay alot for a new Ric, and should expect near perfection. Seems like stories like these have been much more common in the last 2 or 3 yrs.
Click to expand...

Rickenbacker needs to be treated as a business and not as a person's hobby. The problems we have seen over the years is due to a lack of leadership. It's unlikely things will change. Why would anything change given the track record of the people running the business?

The three leading US auto manufacturers did to the American publice what Ricjenbacker is doing currently. We see where they are today.

It's unlikely Ric will ever receive a bailout either. They need new leadership - leadership with vision and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

It's really a shame. The instruments could be so much more than they are from a quality perspective.

I'm waiting for a Harvard Business Review Case Study to be generated on Rickenbacker. Plenty of analysis and synthesis there that's for sure!!
 
#11
Gibenbackerbass said:
I feel your pain.

I's unfortunate about the hit & miss quality that comes out of that plant. You'd think Rickenbacker, after all these years, would have their act together. The unpleasant reality is they don't. And may never for that matter.

You might want to post your observation on the official Ric forum. It's worth a try. I know what you mean, and I would imagine many others might as well, that those threads are highly scrutinized and deleted for material thar may put the company's product in a bad, but true, light.

They are nice instrument, but by no means are they where they should be , especially given the price one has to pay.
Click to expand...

You got that right.
All I had to do was express my opinion about how I wont be attending the new Yes tour because Jon Anderson isn't singing with the band and that was deleted because Chris Squire might someday read it.:rollno:

That said it takes nothing away for my love of Rickenbacker basses, but those hypersensitive dudes at the Rickenbacker Resource sure get their panties up in a wad because of a little criticism.:bawl:
 
#13
Gibenbackerbass said:
You might want to post your observation on the official Ric forum. It's worth a try. I know what you mean, and I would imagine many others might as well, that those threads are highly scrutinized and deleted for material thar may put the company's product in a bad, but true, light.
Click to expand...

+1
The people on those boards are very helpful, but Gibenbacker is right. I have never seen anything negative posted on that site, or at least anything that brings up questionable quality issues.
 
#14
Got the call yesterday - setup done, but neck pup could not be tweaked - it's basically busted.

If it is new then use the warranty to fix it if not buy a new neck pickup and put it in.

What has got me is, once again, the Ric QC. In a factory of 'handmade' instruments, how the heck do these things go unchecked?

Rics are not "Handmade" they are made with CNC machines.

pickups can go bad ... it is rare but it happens
 
#15
Gibenbackerbass said:
Rickenbacker needs to be treated as a business and not as a person's hobby. The problems we have seen over the years is due to a lack of leadership. It's unlikely things will change. Why would anything change given the track record of the people running the business?

The three leading US auto manufacturers did to the American publice what Ricjenbacker is doing currently. We see where they are today.

It's unlikely Ric will ever receive a bailout either. They need new leadership - leadership with vision and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

It's really a shame. The instruments could be so much more than they are from a quality perspective.

I'm waiting for a Harvard Business Review Case Study to be generated on Rickenbacker. Plenty of analysis and synthesis there that's for sure!!
Click to expand...
I think anyone who has been here long enough knows your serious animosity toward Rickenbacker and especially John Hall.

However, it's insulting to see you repeat your same diatribe ad nauseum in every thread that mentions Rickenbacker.

Gibenbackerbass states:
You might want to post your observation on the official Ric forum. It's worth a try. I know what you mean, and I would imagine many others might as well, that those threads are highly scrutinized and deleted for material thar may put the company's product in a bad, but true, light.
Click to expand...
Let's not act like almost every other company on the face of the planet is open and leaves criticisms on their own forums. Most companies delete negative comments on their own forums. That's the nature of the beast.


4001 states:
All I had to do was express my opinion about how I wont be attending the new Yes tour because Jon Anderson isn't singing with the band and that was deleted because Chris Squire might someday read it.
Click to expand...
I mentioned this the other day in your thread. You stated it was at the RRF in that thread. Now you're stating that it's on the official Rickenbacker forum.

Which place was it?
 
#17
Tarrbot said:
I think anyone who has been here long enough knows your serious animosity toward Rickenbacker and especially John Hall.

However, it's insulting to see you repeat your same diatribe ad nauseum in every thread that mentions Rickenbacker.
Click to expand...
THAT insults you? It might be time to take things less seriously. There's a number of people on this forum that I find annoying. I ignore them without even having to use the "ignore" feature. I just magically skip past their posts without even commenting. Try it.

Mike
 
#18
mike_v_s said:
THAT insults you? It might be time to take things less seriously. There's a number of people on this forum that I find annoying. I ignore them without even having to use the "ignore" feature. I just magically skip past their posts without even commenting. Try it.

Mike
Click to expand...
Poor word choice on my part. I should have said annoying.

Ric5, that quote from me is my sig. I don't expect them to make a 5er any time soon, let alone one without dots.
 
#19
Just do what I did and buy a Fakenbacker. Build quality is simply amazing and it costs a hell of a lot less!

DSCF0066.jpg


DSCF0067.jpg


DSCF0065.jpg
 
#20
Tarrbot said:
4001 states:
I mentioned this the other day in your thread. You stated it was at the RRF in that thread. Now you're stating that it's on the official Rickenbacker forum.

Which place was it?
Click to expand...


It was the Rickenbacker Resource.
Sorry if there was any confusion.

There was a thread about the upcoming Yes/Frampton tour.
I said
"No Jon, no me".
That was deleted because Chris Squire sometimes checks in there and might someday see the "negative" comment I made.
Sure I was pissed. Still am. I'm sure Chris can take the critisim, he's a 42 year veteran of YES and has heard his share of criticisms throughout the years being in YES.
I make a simple statement that I'm not interested in seeing the band because Jon isn't with them and the post is deleted?

Really. They can shove it. Hypersensitive fanbois.
 

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