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NBD Rickenbacker AGAIN horrendous frets

ahbradot

ahbradot

Dec 14, 2019
1,086
3,790
Florida
www.youtube.com
#1
Terrible frets.
Frets are not even seated all the way into the fretboard.
Sharp frets everywhere.
The frets on this Rickenbacker are even worse than the Rickenbacker that I bought and that I returned last week.

Brand new Rickenbacker bass.
Just delivered via UPS from Guitar Center warehouse.

I would just love to receive a Rickenbacker 4003sw that is correct from the factory.
I will not give up.


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#4
Holy moly, that is remarkably sub-par!
My favorite 6-string electric that I own is a 2022 Rick 330 that I bought new and it has absolutely pristine fretwork, fit and finish, plays like a dream. It's hard to believe this bass came out of the same factory! Very sorry that was your new bass day. I definitely understand returning that to GC, but I would also reach out to Rickenbacker with photo documentation of this. I know they're not exactly known for their friendly caring customer service, but I would think they'd want to know that nightmares like this are slipping past their QC.
 
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#8
mellowgerman said:
Holy moly, that is remarkably sub-par!
My favorite 6-string electric that I own is a 2022 Rick 330 that I bought new and it has absolutely pristine fretwork, fit and finish, plays like a dream. It's hard to believe this bass came out of the same factory! Very sorry that was your new bass day. I definitely understand returning that to GC, but I would also reach out to Rickenbacker with photo documentation of this. I know they're not exactly known for their friendly caring customer service, but I would think they'd want to know that nightmares like this are slipping past their QC.
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Yeah I agree. I think with this being the second time I would contact Rickenbacker instead and see what they can do warranty wise since dealing with GC on this is turning out to be like playing Whack-A-Mole.
 
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#9
Dang, this is most unfortunate :(
Absolutely unacceptable, but I realize hit shappens. Usually we can only go with flow, but we still must make ourselves heard.
RIC builds in batches of about two dozen, so if this was from the same batch as your previous acquirement,
it's most likely the whole batch would be like this.
I would certainly let RIC know about this, by phone, because I don't think GC gives a hoot, it's just a sales item to them.
Chances are good RIC already knows about it, and personnel changes have been made, but I would still call them anyway.
GC doesn't care.
 
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#12
ahbradot said:
Terrible frets.
Frets are not even seated all the way into the fretboard.
Sharp frets everywhere.
The frets on this Rickenbacker are even worse than the Rickenbacker that I bought and that I returned last week.

Brand new Rickenbacker bass.
Just delivered via UPS from Guitar Center warehouse.

I would just love to receive a Rickenbacker 4003sw that is correct from the factory.
I will not give up.


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I'm sorry for you again! I have a feeling that both basses you received are from the same batch and that batch had bad fret jobs. I think you should order one with a different finish (e.g. Fireglo or Jetglo) and from Sweetwater (or another more reputable distributor). The third time has to be the charm. I'm confident that you will get your Ric!
 
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#13
ahbradot said:
Terrible frets.
Frets are not even seated all the way into the fretboard.
Sharp frets everywhere.
The frets on this Rickenbacker are even worse than the Rickenbacker that I bought and that I returned last week.

Brand new Rickenbacker bass.
Just delivered via UPS from Guitar Center warehouse.

I would just love to receive a Rickenbacker 4003sw that is correct from the factory.
I will not give up.


View attachment 7392556
View attachment 7392558View attachment 7392559View attachment 7392560View attachment 7392561View attachment 7392562View attachment 7392564View attachment 7392565
Click to expand...
Geez... that's... well, I don't doubt you, but I'm having a hard time believing RIC's QC people/person (assuming they still have QC) let those basses out the door. I have a 13 y/o $139 Chinese Starfire Violin Bass, with a fret job that puts those two to shame. The frets on my 2 old Ricks are flawless. The ones on my '73 4001 aren't even worn much. Probably because it wore it's original Maxima Flats until I - in my ignorance - replaced them with other flats, about 15 years ago.
I'd have to agree with MrAB4003; order the next one - if you're still willing - from somebody like Sweetwater, and in a different color. And, I think I speak for all us Rickistas when I say "don't give up"... :thumbsup:
 
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#16
ahbradot said:
Terrible frets.
Frets are not even seated all the way into the fretboard.
Sharp frets everywhere.
The frets on this Rickenbacker are even worse than the Rickenbacker that I bought and that I returned last week.

Brand new Rickenbacker bass.
Just delivered via UPS from Guitar Center warehouse.

I would just love to receive a Rickenbacker 4003sw that is correct from the factory.
I will not give up.


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Click to expand...
That is awful. Now excuse. GC must have pulled this one out of the barrel last. I’m going to assume this was bought online. Was the shipped to you directly from the Rickenbacker factory? No excuse for this for what they charge for these. If this were me, I would be on the phone with customer service and tell them in no uncertain terms this bass is being returned that you expect the replacement bass to be personally inspected BEFORE shipping it out. I also would contact Rickenbacker customer service and send these pictures along with a note informing them that they pictures are now on social media.
 
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#19
ahbradot said:
Terrible frets.
Frets are not even seated all the way into the fretboard.
Sharp frets everywhere.
The frets on this Rickenbacker are even worse than the Rickenbacker that I bought and that I returned last week.

Brand new Rickenbacker bass.
Just delivered via UPS from Guitar Center warehouse.

I would just love to receive a Rickenbacker 4003sw that is correct from the factory.
I will not give up.


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View attachment 7392558View attachment 7392559View attachment 7392560View attachment 7392561View attachment 7392562View attachment 7392564View attachment 7392565
Click to expand...


Good grief!

That first picture looks like the fret has sprung back up.


I was going to say this in your previous thread, but you'd already organised a replacement before I got the chance : this is a good excuse to forget the "S" model, and instead go for the version with the binding - that at least protects you from sharp fret ends.
 
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