• 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.

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

#83
Hand Amputation said:
Not really about stability. The bottom part of the bridge was lowered as low as possible and the action was still quite high.

Also.. The built in string mute was not working on the top side.

Then again, maybe I am just nitpicking. ;)
Click to expand...

Chances are the neck had too much relief if that were the case. But if the mute wasn't work then that's another issue worthy fo complaint.
 
#84
The more dents and dings, the cheaper the bass. I love a nice beat up bass. If it really bugs you, you can ask for a small refund. It's a great price to begin with and the imperfection could be a factory imperfection. Maybe why they could sell it for that cheap.
 
#85
Playability can be tweaked/fixed. (within limits of course)

My question is does she sing?

How does she sound/feel unplugged?

When I pick up a bass for the first time I can tell if I even want to bother with plugging it in after only a few notes. My 4003 came from Wildwood, so setup was excellent. I picked it up as I live close to that store. I knew very quickly she was a keeper, didn't even plug it in at the store. They didn't have a bass amp but offered to let me plug in to a guitar amp. I declined as my Carvin was waiting for me at home.

The issue your first bass has would bug me too. You did the right thing and I'm glad to hear MF was so helpful to you!

Good luck man!
 
#90
It's really quite difficult to determin if a RIC is a player right out of the box, at least in my experience.
As the are not set up at all from the factory, expect to have to do some work, somewhat like any other brand new bass, to get it where you want it.
The first thing to get done will always be the nut as RIC leaves the nut very high to "accomodate" those players who prefer higher action. The other standard tweeks will need to be done as well.
I hope the OP gets a clean bass from MF when the new one arrives, just expect it to need some work, right outta the box.
Fishheadjoe
 
#92
Jeff Scott said:
Aren't all things the sum of its parts? :confused:
Click to expand...
Yes, they are, but some things are more than the sum of their parts. That tends to be found most often in musical instruments. Everybody's played a bass that was, for lack of a more descriptive term, "magical", that was just "right". All basses have some sort of body, a neck and some strings, but every once in a while you find one that's much more than the sum of that. It often has a big ass price tag on it, too. Funny how that works.:D
 
#93
Hand Amputation said:
Not really about stability. The bottom part of the bridge was lowered as low as possible and the action was still quite high.

Also.. The built in string mute was not working on the top side.

Then again, maybe I am just nitpicking. ;)
Click to expand...

The nut is always cut pretty high from the factory.
You will get the same with the new one.
The truss rods will likely need adjustment, as well.

It will take a little while until you get the action just right.
 
#94
Haji said:
Yes, they are, but some things are more than the sum of their parts. That tends to be found most often in musical instruments. Everybody's played a bass that was, for lack of a more descriptive term, "magical", that was just "right". All basses have some sort of body, a neck and some strings, but every once in a while you find one that's much more than the sum of that. It often has a big ass price tag on it, too. Funny how that works.:D
Click to expand...

You noticed that the quoted post said nothing about "more"? :D
 
#97
A quick update for those of you who were following this.

MF overnighted me a replacement. I got it Friday, took it home and checked it out.

I feel that I lucked out. The replacement Ric just feels better all around. It played better out of the box, it was defect free, and it just spoke to me more. I am glad I did what I did, and I just thank MF again for great customer service. I definitely got a better bass this time around.

Overall, I am really happy with my purchase. Would do it again.

6cFmD74.jpg


0Tktwiw.jpg


I installed a bridge pickup thumb rest from Pick of the Rics. Fits perfectly and the thumb rest is super comfortable!

lSG0OK3.jpg


Got a proper setup last night. Plays GREAT now. Sounds huge with great sustain!
 
#100
Nice!

I see you've already removed the pickup cover and got one of those bezels ... I was going to order one too but I want the one with the thumb rest and they are out of stock at the moment. Almost went with the cove model like you have there on yours.

Beautiful bass! Gratz!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back