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I bought a Ric on sale from MF. A bit perplexed. Thoughts?
- Thread starter robbyray
- Start date
I wanted that one at first, but I am REALLY glad I went with the 'cove' version. It allows me to use my fingers yet doesn't get in the way when I need to use a pick.
Hey! Thanks for the feedback on that... I may go with the cove for that reason too, now that you've mentioned it.
I knew the cove would work as a thumb rest, but figured the other style would be more to my liking ...
Another cool thing about it is that it's either made of or covered with a slightly tacky, rubberized material. Very easy to grip.
I really like it!
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.
I installed a bridge pickup thumb rest from Pick of the Rics. Fits perfectly and the thumb rest is super comfortable!
Got a proper setup last night. Plays GREAT now. Sounds huge with great sustain!
That thing is sick! I love my Jetglo 4003, as my signature would suggest.
What did you end up setting your neck relief to?
I was adjusting mine this past weekend, following these steps:
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How straight do you run yours?
Thanks!
Here is my baby ...
That blue is VERY pretty. I like!
I set my neck almost PERFECTLY straight. Only the slightest bit of bow.
I'm very picky about string height, and this one passed the test!
ok, thanks...
mine is currently at around 0.005" or 5/1000th's of an inch at the 9th fret ... it definitely sounds better than it did. Not sure I'm going to go any straighter though....this is the straightest I've even run any neck! That website I linked says a piece of paper should barely fit ... a piece of paper is about .004" LOL. String height at 12th is 3/32", or just a tad under... I think I'm good.
Not to get off topic, but wouldn't you have to adjust the truss "rods?" I thought Ric's all had two.
Anyways, Mr. Hand, you made the right call. Every Ric I've played has been different and had their own very unique personality. Technically it's low QC, but I think it gives them a certain charm. If there's something ever so slight that, for whatever reason, doesn't sit right with you, just pick up another and it could be perfect, while the other one is just perfect for someone else. (with the exception of finish cracks etc.) I've never understood it because if you look at their manufacturing process they barely even TOUCH the guitars while they're making them, but that's just now it goes.
And congrats on finding "the one." Now go rock out and get some honest dings
Anyways, Mr. Hand, you made the right call. Every Ric I've played has been different and had their own very unique personality. Technically it's low QC, but I think it gives them a certain charm. If there's something ever so slight that, for whatever reason, doesn't sit right with you, just pick up another and it could be perfect, while the other one is just perfect for someone else. (with the exception of finish cracks etc.) I've never understood it because if you look at their manufacturing process they barely even TOUCH the guitars while they're making them, but that's just now it goes.
And congrats on finding "the one." Now go rock out and get some honest dings
Musician's Friend sent me a reconditioned Peavey crossover, without telling me it was reconditioned. The sales rep only said he had a "great price" on the unit (I think it was $299 instead of the usual $349). On the invoice, it said it was reconditioned - that's how I found out. I was PISSED and returned the unit for a new one (I don't remember if I paid the additional cost - I think so, but I'm not sure). I just didn't want a reconditioned unit.
The original post makes me think MF shipped him a "return" or factory second, since he got a surprisingly low price. I'd guess they have different tiers for their customers, based on how picky they are. Some people probably wouldn't have noticed a flaw.
If it was me in this situation, if I loved the way the bass played and felt, I very well might have kept it instead of returning it. You'll be putting your first ding into a new bass soon enough. If it plays well, that's more important than a flaw IMO.
Anyway, MF does pull this kind of bait & switch sometimes, so beware any "special deals" that your sales rep digs up. Ask them if it's a return or a factory 2nd!
The original post makes me think MF shipped him a "return" or factory second, since he got a surprisingly low price. I'd guess they have different tiers for their customers, based on how picky they are. Some people probably wouldn't have noticed a flaw.
If it was me in this situation, if I loved the way the bass played and felt, I very well might have kept it instead of returning it. You'll be putting your first ding into a new bass soon enough. If it plays well, that's more important than a flaw IMO.
Anyway, MF does pull this kind of bait & switch sometimes, so beware any "special deals" that your sales rep digs up. Ask them if it's a return or a factory 2nd!
Huh? About the only robotic process at RIC is the CNC cutting of the major parts and routes. After that, the chassis is assembled, glued, and bound by hand, then hand held against sanding machines, then the fingerboards are masked by hand, then the bass is held in one hand by the painter with his other hand gripping the spray gun for each coat of color. Then workers with razor blades scrape the color off the binding, then the painter repeats his process with the varnish. The guy with the buffing wheel is holding the bass. Then all the holes for the hardware are hand drilled and all the components added by hand. Then a guy strings the instrument and does a setup. Barely touched? I think not.
My apologies. I watched a factory tour video on youtube and the host was trying to talk up how almost every important aspect is done by CNC and other machines, so as to ensure each instrument is "perfect."
That being said, most of the examples you listed are thoroughly unremarkable. I don't think they've invented a robot that masks fingerboards. Yet.
