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NBD Rickenbacker 4003s!

#41
bwoodman said:
Random thoughts: I read a very long thread on here where "ggoat" was quite negative about QC & CS issues, which we all know about. I think he's been banned. Funny thing is, even though he had nothing but bad things to say, he owns 28 RICs! He was having all kinds of finish issues on that sea foam green bass and he posted all the pics - pretty bad, but I personally would have sent that bass over to Marty Bell in San Diego - end of story - he does great work. It seems that the run of QC issues they were having have been solved. Maybe they had some shop employee issues / training issues that have since been solved? I personally have never seen finish issues on any of the RICs I've picked up at stores or the two I owned. There are issues with the bridge not setting flat on the bass - that would be a problem with the bridge manufacturer - I don't think RIC makes those in house, but I don't know for sure. As I mentioned, my plan is to get the Hipshot replacement bridge because it's much more adjustable and I'm sure it's completely flat and sits flat.

I owned a Montezuma Brown a few years back and one thing I noticed with the finish is that it seems to be soft like lacquer - I remember the end of my guitar cable hitting the bass and it put a tiny ding in the finish. This would never happen with a Fender or Musicman - or a Marty Bell finish because they're all using polyethylene-type finishes which are way more durable IMO. I don't know if RIC in fact uses lacquer or not, but it seems that they do things the same as they have been doing for many years. I heard they have CNC machines now, but not sure if it has actually improved their lead time or not.

I called around and found another local dealer who says he has some S's on order since March, so I will probably order my MG thought him - he's going to check ETA next week. What has the average lead time been for you guys who have ordered S's? It seems like there are a lot more JG and FG on the street than MG, so maybe they did a run of those first - or made more of those than MG?
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I ordered a 4003s in Mapleglo from Wildwood in April. They said at the time it would be a couple of months but it hasn't arrived as of today. They said it should be soon. I hope so lol. I want to play that bad boy.
 
#44
Twangster101 said:
I ordered a 4003s in Mapleglo from Wildwood in April. They said at the time it would be a couple of months but it hasn't arrived as of today. They said it should be soon. I hope so lol. I want to play that bad boy.
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I'll know more next week when the RIC inside sales cat gets back to the dealer.....maybe I'll get lucky & it will be soon!
 
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#45
drummer5359 said:
It's been almost five months since I ordered my 4003SW on February 17th. I'm looking forward to comparing it to my 4003W. (I have a thing for natural finishes and maple necks!)

Every time a Rickenbacker NBD thread pops up I have to click on it to see if someone has taken delivery of a 4003SW.

Congrats to all of the 4003S owners!
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I'm right there with you friend. I ordered my fireglo S on February 6th.
 
#48
When someone buys a bass that they are really excited about they will share their excitement with an announcement of their new arrival. Photos are expected and appreciated! The headline of the thread will include the initials NBD signifying "New Bass Day". If someone (like me) ordered a bass that takes several months or longer to arrive, they (again,me) may seem rather obnoxious as they scream the news from the virtual rooftops. Accept my apology in advance...
 
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#49
drummer5359 said:
When someone buys a bass that they are really excited about they will share their excitement with an announcement of their new arrival. Photos are expected and appreciated! The headline of the thread will include the initials NBD signifying "New Bass Day". If someone (like me) ordered a bass that takes several months or longer to arrive, they (again,me) may seem rather obnoxious as they scream the news from the virtual rooftops. Accept my apology in advance...
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No apology required, a bit of gloating and blatant self-satisfaction probably also in order after waiting six months. Several 4003s for sale on ebay right now, obviously bought for immediate resale (at a higher than retail price, of course), must frost your cake a little to be waiting all this time. Might as well work it a little when you get it!
 
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#50
NBD - got it on Friday - found one in TX by chance on a search! I was not finding any MGs in stock anywhere, but came across Reverb.com and found one! My local dealers were not expecting delivery until "later in the year." Like - like - like! I was going to get the Hipshot bridge, but changed my mind on that. I may get Hipshot light weight tuners and chrome P bass style knobs, but that's about it. Oh, I took off the bridge pup cover - that's a must IMO. I'll be gigging it this Wednesday at a corporate gig - yay!

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#51
Gilmourisgod said:
No apology required, a bit of gloating and blatant self-satisfaction probably also in order after waiting six months. Several 4003s for sale on ebay right now, obviously bought for immediate resale (at a higher than retail price, of course), must frost your cake a little to be waiting all this time. Might as well work it a little when you get it!
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None of the walnut S models have popped up yet at any price point, I don't believe that they've produced any outside of the one that they showed at NAMM in January. So, it's just a matter of waiting for them to get around to the walnut S models. I have a 4003W which is getting plenty of play time.



When I ordered my 4003SW I was told that the estimated wait time would be 8 months to a year.

August 17th marked six months. The wait isn't too bad at this point as I figure that I am likely half way there. :D
 
#52
It looks like BassNW has a 4003SW:
Rickenbacker 4003SW "Walnut/Maple" neck-through 4 string Bass w/case -
Call or E-mail For Price!!

drummer5359 said:
None of the walnut S models have popped up yet at any price point, I don't believe that they've produced any outside of the one that they showed at NAMM in January. So, it's just a matter of waiting for them to get around to the walnut S models. I have a 4003W which is getting plenty of play time.



When I ordered my 4003SW I was told that the estimated wait time would be 8 months to a year.

August 17th marked six months. The wait isn't too bad at this point as I figure that I am likely half way there. :D
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#57
I decided to mod mine a little bit. Just got it back from my buddy, JohnK.

He added the TRC, pick guard, and treble bezel. He also set it up for me as well as straightened out the crooked bridge pick up for me. Love it!
 

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#58
map34157 said:
I decided to mod mine a little bit. Just got it back from my buddy, JohnK.

He added the TRC, pick guard, and treble bezel. He also set it up for me as well as straightened out the crooked bridge pick up for me. Love it!
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Ohhh you got the chrome bezel! if I decide to take my cover off thats the one I want to put in! Very nice! Looks like a Blackstar! The 4003S in Jetglo is gorgeous.
 

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