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*Official* MF MID Rickenbacker Sale thread

How Satisfied Are You With Your New Rick?

  • Very Satisfied

    Votes: 47 45.6%

  • Satisfied

    Votes: 18 17.5%

  • Neutral

    Votes: 19 18.4%

  • Unsatisfied

    Votes: 7 6.8%

  • Very Unsatisified

    Votes: 12 11.7%
  • Total voters
    103
Status
Not open for further replies.
#561
The bass was still really warm when I got it out of the case and didn't want to risk any damage due to the different shrink rates of the paint and the wood. I figured I'd probably be okay, but put it away just to be safe. I'll have more time to play with it tomorrow, anyway.

RIC has a backlog. The fact that people have stock just means that their orders were filled. Musiciansfriend, it appears, has ordered too many blue basses and wanted to move them. There is no way of knowing when these orders were placed.
 
#563
Ah. Mine showed up... not smashed or anything. I don't see any flaws. The binding is white even though I would be just as happy with some yellow binding. Actions a little high, little too much relief in the neck....going to set it up after dinner. Wife asked how much it costs and I told her about as much as her 16 year old nieces dog and I don't have to clean up after it. The pick up cover needs to go. Sounds sweet.
 
#565
DAMN!!! No Ric for me - at least not this year. House was broken into this past weekend. Got my $1400 laptop, my $250 iPod, and cash out of my wife's purse. Had to buy a new laptop, having an alarm system installed, and I needed new shocks on my truck. Ric money and Blacktop P money go bye-bye. :crying:

Can't believe they didn't wake my dog! At least they didn't touch my gear. I would have gone apepoopie. They'll get theirs. Only a matter of time. Karma's a bitch.
 
#566
RIC will tell you on their own forum that if you have a problem, call customer support to see what can be done. Don't start a rant because it will get you nowhere. They have always been very helpful to me. I had a very minor issue with my new 4003 MID (an issue that no one here has mentioned or maybe even noticed) and it was dealt with imediately and fairly. As usual, I am a satisfied customer. For the most part, folks here have gotten instruments they're very satisfied with, but a few have made it a forum for the usual RIC bashing I see outside of the two RIC forums. I'm pretty sure some of the people voting have not even ordered a 4003. Hey, if you wanna send back your 4003 'cause the truss rod cover screws aren't perfectly aligned (easily fixable) or there are swirl marks in your finish (also easily fixable) or the nut is wider than your '76 4001 ( by a whole 1/16" actually) or there's polishing compound in the nooks & cranys (really?) then by all means do so, but if all you've done is called MF to get a return authorization number without so much as a phone call to RIC..then you're missing out. These are great basses with a very unique tone that are actually more versitile than most people think. Sure a Jazz bass has a skinnier nut, but after about the 5th fret, the RIC neck has it all over the Fender and any of the zillions of basses out there that are essentially Fender knock offs because the neck has such a slight taper. At about 12K, the 4003's single coil pickups are hotter than just about any other non-active pickup out there. With the exception of the bass that arrived broken in half and the one with the finish checking around the over tightened tailpiece, I would have kept every one of these for what I paid ($1169.00). Hell, once you start gigging a bass, it usually ends up looking worse anyway(unless you're as OCD as I am). It's not like MF and RIC don't stand behind their product, but some here have acted like they were told to go pound sand, but they weren't. For those who couldn't stick it out, what did you stick with? I'll tell ya one thing, when I walk into a gig or an audition and pull one of my Ricks out of the case, I ALWAYs get positive comments from the lead singer on down to the drummer, and I like it that way.
 
#567
deeptubes said:
DAMN!!! No Ric for me - at least not this year. House was broken into this past weekend. Got my $1400 laptop, my $250 iPod, and cash out of my wife's purse. Had to buy a new laptop, having an alarm system installed, and I needed new shocks on my truck. Ric money and Blacktop P money go bye-bye. :crying:

Can't believe they didn't wake my dog! At least they didn't touch my gear. I would have gone apepoopie. They'll get theirs. Only a matter of time. Karma's a bitch.
Click to expand...

That's rough man, hope you get another chance at the Rick someday:bassist:
 
#568
/rant on/ I feel I should also mention that when I bought my MID Rick back in 2010, I received it with the following issues:

-Treble volume knob was labeled as Bass volume knob
-Truss rod cover screw was slightly misaligned, making it hard to fasten
-Some polishing compound at the base of the neck
-Slight tail lift
-A small dent/gap on the underside of the bass that seemed as if it was painted over and ignored

And, despite all these problems, guess what: None of these issues detract from the fact that it's a fantastic instrument.

I DID NOT buy my Rickenbacker for the sole purpose of hanging it on the wall and merely gazing at it. I bought my Rickenbacker because I loved the sound and the feel of the bass which, I believe, are the only reasons anyone should buy a bass. When you're buying a bass, you need to actually try the bass out, see what's par for the course, and then drop the money on it. Otherwise you'll just end up with buyer's remorse when the bass is anything but flawless. If you didn't really want a Rickenbacker in the first place, but bought one because it was cheap, of course there's a good chance you're not going to like it.

My point is: Anyone can go out and buy a bass that looks nice, but not actually use it. Bass players are meant to go out, buy a bass, and use it to play bass. Simple as that. I can put up with the little things because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That's what I believe makes it a Rickenbacker. /rant off/

Exception: The guy who received his in pieces :p
 
#569
Aceonbass said:
Don't start a rant because it will get you nowhere. Hey, if you wanna send back your 4003 back because the nut is wider than your '76 4001 ( by a whole 1/16" actually).
Click to expand...
Please get your facts straight before insulting people. Reading involves not just reading words but also comprehension of those words. I didn't dwell on the fact that it was a tiny bit wider (1/16" more than my P and '76 4001 and 3/16" more than my Jazz). I said it wasn't the width of the 4003 I didn't like, it was the fatness (depth) when compared to my J, P & '76 4001. Maybe if the RIC company allowed more music companies to stock them (GC) some of these problems would've een eleviated. Mine would've been. No animousity toward you on my part though so I hope we are cool?
 
#570
2nd Wind said:
I'm not following your post. Just because dealers have all the colors doesn't mean RIC ships whatever it wants to. The dealers place orders for the models/colors they want and RIC ships when they fill that order. Presently it takes about 2 years. MF at some time places huge orders and now has decided to move that inventory. They and GC are consolidating operations and moving corporate offices and they no doubt in that consolidation don't want to have a lot of stock.
Click to expand...
OK, there are two things going on here. One, I misunderstood you. I thought this was another "you have to wait two years to get a Ric" post, which I've seen many times on here and which I'm not sure was ever true for prospective customers. Two, you seem to have a lot of knowledge about Rics (far more than me), but are you sure about that two-year production backlog? Both these dealers have had several 4003s in stock for as long as I've been checking (2-3 years). I just wonder if they're able to order and Ric is able to deliver instruments with that much precision timing if the delay is really two years.

Ultimately, it makes no difference seeing as the customer is able to get one right away (something a lot of folks seemingly weren't aware of), but this struck me as curious.:)
 
#573
Aceonbass said:
RIC will tell you on their own forum that if you have a problem, call customer support to see what can be done. Don't start a rant because it will get you nowhere. They have always been very helpful to me. I had a very minor issue with my new 4003 MID (an issue that no one here has mentioned or maybe even noticed) and it was dealt with imediately and fairly. As usual, I am a satisfied customer. For the most part, folks here have gotten instruments they're very satisfied with, but a few have made it a forum for the usual RIC bashing I see outside of the two RIC forums. I'm pretty sure some of the people voting have not even ordered a 4003. Hey, if you wanna send back your 4003 'cause the truss rod cover screws aren't perfectly aligned (easily fixable) or there are swirl marks in your finish (also easily fixable) or the nut is wider than your '76 4001 ( by a whole 1/16" actually) or there's polishing compound in the nooks & cranys (really?) then by all means do so, but if all you've done is called MF to get a return authorization number without so much as a phone call to RIC..then you're missing out. These are great basses with a very unique tone that are actually more versitile than most people think. Sure a Jazz bass has a skinnier nut, but after about the 5th fret, the RIC neck has it all over the Fender and any of the zillions of basses out there that are essentially Fender knock offs because the neck has such a slight taper. At about 12K, the 4003's single coil pickups are hotter than just about any other non-active pickup out there. With the exception of the bass that arrived broken in half and the one with the finish checking around the over tightened tailpiece, I would have kept every one of these for what I paid ($1169.00). Hell, once you start gigging a bass, it usually ends up looking worse anyway(unless you're as OCD as I am). It's not like MF and RIC don't stand behind their product, but some here have acted like they were told to go pound sand, but they weren't. For those who couldn't stick it out, what did you stick with? I'll tell ya one thing, when I walk into a gig or an audition and pull one of my Ricks out of the case, I ALWAYs get positive comments from the lead singer on down to the drummer, and I like it that way.
Click to expand...

+1 (Paragraphs woulda made easier reading, but I got thru it... ;) )

I wasn't part of this deal, but I have owned a few Rics in the past (and prob will again someday). I hope not too many gave up too easily on these amazing instruments without following through and getting satisfaction for an awesome price... stuff happens along the way, but good companies make things right when they've gone wrong, and I believe Rickenbacker is one of those companies.

ricwricaslad.jpg

altuniverseric.jpg

withredric.jpg

ericwithric.jpg


Spanning over 30 years.... not just a troll.....
 
#575
If my rick comes back with a properly seated nut and no chip next to it , I will keep it. I wont return it due to some swirl marks, yellow binding , or even a tiny ding , but I wont keep a bass that has a huge gap in the nut and a chip right next to it where someone monkied with it.
 
#576
I'm having trouble understanding what a "huge gap in the nut" is exactly... pics?

I hope the thread continues to stay civil (enough). It's interesting to see what people get, as well as their reactions. Some of the stuff you guys are commenting on seems absolutely pointless to me (as far as swirl marks in the clear coat or creamy binding), but then again that's not what I care about in a bass, and more importantly you have the right to feel differently. Sadly some of the stuff being reported does truly sound problematic and I'm grateful you all have a shot at a replacement if you want it.

I am a little bothered that I have seen most of these cosmetic issues being mentioned on nearly every kind of bass (yes, NEW condition) yet they are never really discussed. I was actually just noticing some nasty crap in the finish and bare maple at a couple of new EBMM basses I checked out, and I can't be the only one who sees stuff like that. I still like EBMM and so do the rest of us I assume. Is this a double standard?

Anyways... point is, enjoy your new basses, if they're your cuppa. If not, return 'em or pass 'em on!
 
#577
I knew someone would ask about the nut so I unboxed the bass before i shipped it and took a photo , you cant see it good in the photo due to my poor camera. On the G string side the nut i not sitting all the way in the routed area for it , it looks like it dried this way and was then pushed down by someone resulting in a small chip. I will post the photo tho

Besides that I liked it , i didnt even care that I saw visibly body lines like some reported , thats something I would expect.

I aint making **** up tho , its not like I just have a huge amount of joy over returning a bass and waiting for a new one.
 
#578
Just a word on MF's customer service... Sounds like everyone who decided to exchange their MID 4003 got some great customer service from MF; unfortunately I can't say the same.

I chose to email them, carefully explaining the issues the bass has and that I'd like to exchange it as long as they still had some in stock. I also asked if they could send a replacement out right away to avoid running out of stock and mentioned that I'd really like to have the replacement double boxed.

I got a robotic reply stating that I could exchange it or return it for a refund. No word about what's left in stock or immediate shipment of the replacement. They also said that they do not ship boxes out for returns - huh?

I replied back that I wanted to do an exchange, not a return, and just wanted to be guaranteed that I could still get another new MID 4003 if I send mine back (takes a week+ via UPS.) I got another robotic reply stating all the rules for returns and that a UPS label was on it's way to my inbox. The last sentence was simply "Unfortunately we cannot guarantee stock."

So if you decide to exchange yours, call MF, don't email them. As stated, the issues on mine are minor, so I'm not going to take the gamble that they would still have a new one in stock 7 - 10 days from now when mine would get back to Kansas City, MO. Maybe if I wait they'll put the other colors on sale and I can exchange it for one of them. If not, I'm still pretty happy with it, but I will say that if I had paid $1950 for it, it would already be on it's way back - I expect better attention to detail and QC on an instrument at this price level.
 
#579
A-Step-Towards said:
I aint making **** up tho , its not like I just have a huge amount of joy over returning a bass and waiting for a new one.
Click to expand...

I know dude. Please don't interpret my post as skepticism directed at you or disrespect. If you had issues with the bass, that's your business and yours alone ultimately. The thing with your nut just sounds bizarre. Then again I'm also frazzled by also this glue/buffing compound stuff people are finding--what the heck? Finally, people keep saying the necks are bigger than a P Bass, which does not jive with my experience whatsoever. Just a lot of stuff I didn't expect to hear but the primary source is the primary source, so yeah. I'm still enjoying watching this unfold and seeing some happy owners, sad to see some are struggling though.
 
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