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LATEST MF MID BLUE RIC SALE

#201
Spectrum said:
What kind of strings do you use for that? I assume you want something that will have a higher tension so they don't feel slack, right?
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I've been using EB Slinkey's, the 5 string set with a .125 B as my D string. The Cheyenne neck is really nice, and fairly stout without being "fat". The tension is pretty even accross the neck, doesn't feel floppy or tight, just right. Of course, I did file the nut slots a wee bit to accomodate the heavier gauge strings, but that was it. Didn't even need to tweak the truss rods very much. Plays like a dream, and it's been strung this way for nearly 2 1/2 yrs without re-adjustment, and several string changes, (same strings).
 
#202
john turner said:
so are you going to 5-string convert your new one? there was a mod kit that i remember, a long time ago, where you could refit a p-bass to be a 5 string without drilling another hole in the headstock - it had a tuning key on the bridge to handle the 5th string. it was intended to be reversible.

wonder if something like that would work with a ric. if i could get a reversible, non-destructive mod like that that worked on a ric, i'd do it to my 4080 in a heartbeat.
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See my website link below ...

Pretty much everything I play is a 4 string converted to a 5 string bass. For me the perfect neck is a 4 string p-bass neck with 5 strings.

I have modified a lot of Rickenbackers. I usually only do 1986 and later. The 4-2-5 mod is not easily reversed. The 4080 is probably not a good candidate for a 4-2-5. You would turn a $5000 instrument into a $1500 instrument and it may not work.

That said ... there could be a way to do it that would be reversable. -->>> Have a new bass neck made.

But the more I think about it the better choice would be to get a good luthier to simple build a 5 string 4080 for you. It would probably cost $3000 to $5000 but it would be one heck of an instrument. There are a few guys on this site here who could do it right. I am not one of them.
 
#203
If you bought them right (on sale for example) you could do a Mike Rutherford on a 4003 and a 620 in whatever configuration (bass or guitar on top) you wanted.
That was my first thought when I saw the MF sale posted.

The new 4003 is a good candidate for a 5 string, the neck's extrememly strong, wider than ever before I believe, and the headstock is a tad larger, more room for that extra tuner.

It would still cost a siginificant amount to do right, of course, but still cheaper than a proper 4080, and much easier to source the component parts.
I haven't seen many 4080s for sale on the bay in the last 5 years.
It seems the collectors have as many as they can find/afford, and the other people who still have them aren't selling.
The few that do show up, no one's parting with $5000 +.
 
#204
cr250_977 said:
I was thinking the same thing. Also, maybe black hardware.Any suggestions as to where I can get these items??
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In the past I've used Hipshot black hardware (bridge and tuners) because I am too impatient to wait for used black Ric parts to show up for sale. Black pickguard I got from Pickguardian.com. And the truss rod cover I've traded with Ric customer service (a couple times, actually), my white for their black plus a fee. I've heard they don't do that and still pulled it off myself, so you'd just have to call them and see if they still would.

Pickup mounting rings you'd have to find used or get the existing one's redone in powder coat or something.
 
#205
I have converted a few Rics to all black ...

goth-03-17.jpg


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But I am out of black trim parts except for the pickguard and TRC ... So I would leave the chrome.
 
#212
I received my Jetglo 4003 on Friday. I carefully inspected the box before I opened it and it did have a hole and a few bumps so I was expecting the case to be damaged - and it is. The bass is fine and, for me, only needed to be tuned. The case has 3 damaged areas: 2 of the metal feet and a quarter size puncture in the top. I called MF and reported the damaged case hoping that they would just send me a new case. But they said I would have to return the case and the bass and they would ship a new bass/case. Or they would sell me a vintage case for $175.

I declined that offer and haven't decided if I'll return the bass for a new one yet. The MF rep did tell me that they had more Jetglos in stock, but I didn't ask how long it would take to get a new bass...


UPDATE:
I decided to return the bass/case to get a good bass and case. I called MF to get an RA, and they said they could ship a new case without me having to do the full exchange. I can keep the original case and the new one. Kudos to MF customer service. :bassist:

--jack
 
#213
A recap of my adventure...
I originally ordered the day before MF closed off the sale, but MF would not send a Ric to Canada! I found out that Music 123 would not only honor the price from MF, but would ship to Canada! So I tryied to order a MB from them, only to find that they had sold out!
They did however offer me my choice of either Fireglow or Black, for $100.00 more... so I ordered the Fireglow.
Upon arrival, I was somewhat confused as those who received their basses, all claim they were double boxed, with one of the boxes being an orginal RIC box... mine was not. It was a non-descript box, lightley packed and the bass in it's case.
After looking over the bass, I found finish issues as well as the tone controls did not work... yes, they sold me a return item!
I called Music 123 and they authorized a return and promised to send me out a "new" one, once they received confirmation from UPS that my old bass was in transit.
I queryed Music 123 regarding me having to pay any more "import charges" as the first bass cost me an additional $190.00 in tax. They assured me the new bass would be marked warrantee replacement, which would negate any further tax implications. Guess what, not only did they not mark the new bass as warantee, they marked the price/value at $1999.99, so when it arrived at my house onFriday, I had to pay an additional $250.00 to UPS!
The bass was double boxed and the inside box was a RIC original, fully stapled etc... build date was July /11.
So I again contacted Music 123 and they have agreed that the error was there own and have agreed to reimberse me the $250.00.
All this took phone calls daily to Music123, but in the end, should they follow through as they have suggested... I'm happy to have my new RIC!
FIshheadjoe
 
#217
cewillm said:
I can't imagine MF will ever think of doing a blowout like this again after all the issues they've had. With all the damaged cases/basses, shipping, re-shipping, and re-re-shipping, you have to wonder if they made any money.
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As suggested previously by a few people, the damaged cases/basses may have been the reason for the blowout. I believe their profit margin well covers shipping and reshipping, only when the staff makes a major mistake like forgetting to label a warranty replacement as such that they would have to take a bigger hit (but that was M123 not MF). At the end of the day, they are a retail business, store shelves and warehouse space is expenditure, they want to move goods, and if it means a lower profit, it sure beats $1000 inventory sitting in a warehouse for a year, value perception of Rickenbackers be damned.

Aceonbass said:
...Gotta love computerized inventory/re-stocking systems.
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Yeah, what can go wrong? Add a little computerized processing into some good old fashion human error with a dash of management and ground disconnect, give it a good stir of a slow moving large corporation. Viola.
 
#218
Oh the joy of owning a Ric. To avoid upsetting the neighbors I sometimes use a Vox Ampeg headphone amp, and I plug my mp3 player into it for some play-a-long. Playing through the whole Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album doing some Geezer lines with a little overdrive and the knobbage set to super-clank...pure joy. I think the Ric is the best bass for metal!
 
#219
Some people hate Rics and no matter what they will find a flaw with a new Ric. Some people love Rics and whatever they get in a new Ric they will love ...

I really like my new and my old Rics. They are not perfect ... but they are fun to play.
 

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