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I bought a Ric on sale from MF. A bit perplexed. Thoughts?

#43
I see the scratches in your photo.

Admittedly I'd be miffed about that too. It IS minor but that's not the point.

I've used Virtuoso polish on scratches worse than that and made them look like they never existed.

I also own a 4003 like yours but I'm not sure if Virtuoso is ok to use on them, I would assume so, but double check.

My wife was using finger nail polish remover on our oak dining table, her paper towel barely touched the table and really badly distorted the finished, making it look like their was a film over it, instead of being shiny it was now dull where the acetone based nail polish remover touched it.

I used Virtuoso on those and problem solved.

I've even heard it can remove minor buckle rash.

(I'd keep it and play the ever lovin' snot outa it)
 
#44
i dont see anything from the pics posted at least on my PC... but thanks for the heads up, after reading your post i purchased the 4003fg....supposed to be here friday. although overnight shipping for me was 65. i had to settle for the 2 day. cant wait.....:bassist:
 
#45
Thanks, I'll check out the Virtuoso. And @Nubs, I just replied to your PM before I saw your post. Congrats!!!

Looks like my 4003 was made in 2013, according to the serial number.

Also.. Here are a couple more pics of the finish flaw. It's really hard to photograph!

t5s35aG.jpg


DG4m4kN.jpg


Again, I know it's not that big of a deal, but it really does look a little worse in person.

Or maybe I am just nuts.

Either way, it plays pretty good. The action is a little on the high side, but with a little adjustment I think it'll be great.

I'll keep you updated.
 
#46
Well now those last pics I see something different, which looks more like pre-flakeyness (is that a word?) right next to the bridge. If that's what you mean, it's a whole different situation.

It is VERY hard to photograph finish flaws, you need perfect lighting.
 
#49
Here's my two cents:

Do not play the bass until you make up your mind/figure out what you are going to do/can do (See: keep it, send it back, get discount, etc).

Once upon a time I bought a bass. it setup and played amazingly. It "balanced" amazingly (see: headstock at 1:30).

I noticed a flaw near the bridge. the top of the bass had a slight recess, where the bridge goes. The recess was off center. The bridge was still centered and still fit into the recess, but it was snug against the bottom of the recess, toward the high strings. Toward the low strings, is an obvious "open" space, in the recess.

I contacted the site I purchased from and noted this defect. They agreed it qualified as a factory "B" and would take it back.

But I kept playing with the bass for the next day or so, before I could get around to sending it in. I had an "accident" and dinged the finish.

That bass still plays amazing, to this day. But I ruined the opportunity to send it back.
 
#50
I've had a Ric bass for 35 years and its been flawless. Ric only puts a one year warranty on the finish but I believe that if they saw a legitimate flaw or something they missed in final inspection they would make it right.What I see in your photo wouldn't bother me - but if it bothers you then you should do something about it. Other than this, you'll love the bass
 
#52
Toptube said:
Here's my two cents:

Do not play the bass until you make up your mind/figure out what you are going to do/can do (See: keep it, send it back, get discount, etc).

Once upon a time I bought a bass. it setup and played amazingly. It "balanced" amazingly (see: headstock at 1:30).

I noticed a flaw near the bridge. the top of the bass had a slight recess, where the bridge goes. The recess was off center. The bridge was still centered and still fit into the recess, but it was snug against the bottom of the recess, toward the high strings. Toward the low strings, is an obvious "open" space, in the recess.

I contacted the site I purchased from and noted this defect. They agreed it qualified as a factory "B" and would take it back.

But I kept playing with the bass for the next day or so, before I could get around to sending it in. I had an "accident" and dinged the finish.

That bass still plays amazing, to this day. But I ruined the opportunity to send it back.
Click to expand...

I've only taken it out of its case twice. I've been VERY careful!

I'm going to try to get ahold of MF again tomorrow and see what they can do for me, even if it's just out of curiosity.
 
#53
Hand Amputation said:
After years and years of wanting a Rickenbacker 4003 I decided that it was time to buy. I had been checking prices on eBay, Sam Ash, and Craigslist when I decided to look at MusiciansFriend's site. I tried the 'email for price' option and they sent me a price of $1799. I decided to call and see if I could get any further discounts and was shocked when I was quoted less than $1500 for a BRAND NEW Jetglo Ric 4003 shipped to my door. $1399, to be exact. I opted for overnight shipping which was an extra $35.

I received the bass today, as I had it shipped to my office. It arrived around 11am. Once I got caught up with my work I took a few minutes to unbox it.

Here are my first impressions:

It came single-boxed, which I thought was a bit odd. The shipping box arrived in good condition. Once I removed the case from the box I verified that the case wasn't damaged. It looked fine to me.

Opened the case and took a look at the bass. Seemed to be unplayed, there wasn't as much as a smudge on the hardware.

NrVwUo0.jpg

Here is a photo of the bass, sorry for the phone quality.



The finish looked nice... except for one small area under the bridge.

hHeR8aZ.jpg

Here is a photo of the finish imperfection.

I am not really sure what I should do. I called MF and left a message with the sales rep who assisted me yesterday. Sure, I paid for a brand new bass, but considering the price, would the small finish imperfection bug you? Nothing is perfect, and if this particular bass sets up, plays, and sounds great, what's a small finish flaw? Perhaps I could get a small partial refund. I will update again once I hear back from MF.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Honestly.....I can't see the flaw. What matters is that it bothers you first and foremost.

That said you asked for our thoughts. I wouldn't really care one bit about it.....if i liked the bass and was going to keep it. I prefer my keepers with some love marks...and nothing is perfect. But...if it doesn't play or sound great and isn't a keeper...this is the perfect situation to facilitate a refund or replacement Ric that you might like better.
 
#54
Hand Amputation said:
I tried with a bit of soft paper towel, but I will try again with some polish when I get home.
Click to expand...

:eek: Never rub anything scratchable with a paper towel!!! (Been there, done that.)

That said, I would send it back. Even though you got a good deal, you still paid good money for that bass. That finish flaw is significant enough it shouldn't have made it past QC. Why should you have to worry over a poor finish job?
 
#56
I see quite a lot of horror stories on here about RIC QC it amazes me. I had no idea they were so slack. I got my 4003 about 10 years ago and didnt notice anything wrong with it but I suppose if I had known about their awful QC I would have checked it further.. Saying that I've never had a problem with mine and played it nearly every day for those 10 years including lots of gigs so its got a few dings and marks on it now anyway.

Basically I dont think I would have noticed that mark and I wouldnt let it bother you really, have you had a chance to paly it yet? That might convince you to keep it...

But then again once you know somethings there your eye does get drawn to it....
 
#57
I am amazed at the folks here who say they would keep an obviously flawed rather than return it.
As has been noted a couple of times in this thread, there were problems with the Jetglo finish in the recent past, documented here on TB. Some of those folks had the finish peel off down to the bare wood. I'm not saying that this bass will do that, but none of the folks here telling you it wouldn't bother them and to keep it, can guarrantee that it won't.
MF will take the bass back no question and should authorize a replacement to be sent to you as soon as the UPS guy scans the return into their system.
And I for one wouldn't count on RIC to make it right as I have found from personal experience with them, that a "cosmetic" issue is just that, cosmetic and not something they are typically very interested in dealing with.
Ask yourself this question... would you have paid that money if MF had advertised the bass has a "slight finish" flaw?
Fishheadjoe
 
#58
OP: Send it back.

A minor flaw is one thing, paint bubbling up near the bridge is another. It's likely to peel and get much worse.

Two places that Ric's don't play well with finish flaws anway, the neck heel/wing joint area, and anywhere around the bridge. Lacquer bubbling as opposed to a simple scratch or whatever is the worst case scenario as it tends to spread.
 
#60
That's a good price you got!

The finish looks like it's cracked due to pressure from the tailpiece casting.
This can happen to any bass if you torque the mounting screws the wrong way after removing the tailpiece, so if you ever do this be careful reinstalling it.
Also if the tail has a burr that creates uneven pressure, as already posted, you'll get this happening.

You can run the serial number here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That will tell you the week and year of manufacture.

As long as it's not one of the batch that had the serious flaking issue, it shouldn't get any worse unless you pick at it.

Your choice whether it's worth the hassle of a return.
 

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