• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

*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.
#41
Got mine yesterday. Perfect finish. Tuning was flat by a full step with some relief in the neck which adjusted out just fine. The pickguard was about 1/16" off center towards the treble side and the bridge pickup was a hair crooked. I don't think most people are as OCD as I am about thia stuff, but it doesn't really matter since I'm adding a vintage guard and have already put on a vintage reissue horseshoe pickup and surround, which have mounting screws in different locations anyway. Loved the sound both ways, but I like the hot single coil tone and vibe of the vintage pickup. With a couple simple mods, I have no issues with the adjustability of the stock bridge. As a side note, anyone with a vintage reissue of one of these basses expecting a better bridge/tailpiece assembly is like expecting a stock '57 Chevy to stop better.
 
#42
Toastfuzz said:
Um... aren't most basses "best" setup with the neck totally flat? Doesn't that just make sense in general? I dont know why you would purposely want a bow in the neck
Click to expand...

Some of us are a little too heavy-handed players.
I have calmed down my playing quite a bit from what it used to be, but I still have to have a little relief in my necks and medium action or I still get too much buzzing
 
#43
Just a thought: I think a poll on this thread could easily be exploited by haters and douchebags who never even bought a new Ric during the MF sale.

I'm holding out for first-hand accounts from the TB'ers on the list who can show us a pic of their new Ric, or somehow substantiate authenticity.

After the Ric bashing that goes on around here, color me "wary."
 
#44
electracoyote said:
Those tweaks should include the recommended (and somewhat idiosyncratic) Ric set-up procedure. We hope you know how that is properly achieved.

Also, aren't the 4003 fingerboards covered with a coat of poly? What is oiling the fingerboard going to accomplish?
Click to expand...

For me the oiling is just cleaning it off a bit. I usually use oil on other basses.

Thanks for the advice... I'll be sure to follow Ric specific instructions.
 
#45
Toastfuzz said:
Um... aren't most basses "best" setup with the neck totally flat? Doesn't that just make sense in general? I dont know why you would purposely want a bow in the neck, unless you wanted high action or were compensating for uneven frets. Every bass I have, I try to achieve a perfectly flat neck, and adjust string height at the bridge.... maybe I've been doing it wrong this whole time
Click to expand...

string_vibration.png
 
#46
Toastfuzz said:
Um... aren't most basses "best" setup with the neck totally flat? Doesn't that just make sense in general? I dont know why you would purposely want a bow in the neck, unless you wanted high action or were compensating for uneven frets. Every bass I have, I try to achieve a perfectly flat neck, and adjust string height at the bridge.... maybe I've been doing it wrong this whole time
Click to expand...
Most manufacturers recommend approx .012 (.3mm) relief. Rickenbacker does not.
 
#48
electracoyote said:
If you've been doing that succesfully with every bass you've owned, I am officially jealous.

My experience is only certain basses will let me get low action with a flat fingerboard, and the Ric 4003 is one of the few.
Click to expand...

Don't be too jealous, I havent actually ACHIEVED that with any of my basses other than my Ibanez SR506, which incidentally also has two truss rods. Thats just the goal. Any other basses can't be set up perfectly like that due to uneven frets / necks that just won't hit the sweet spot.

Also part of why I'm moving into pro territory and dropping over $1000 on a bass, I'd love to be able to set a neck perfectly flat and have it stay there... then set the action height at the bridge.
 
#49
OK Gang, I was sweating bullets cuz I had to leave in about 20minutes and it is 114 degrees here and I didn't want it sitting on my front porch for 3 hours. I would've left a note and not gotten it till tomorrow. Anyway. Here it is next to my Fender CS '64 Jazz Relic (and next to my new GK Fusion 550 that I just got yesterday). Have to say, I played it for 5 minutes, set up is very nice and neck is straight as a razor! Neck is much bulkier than my P and J Basses, but it still plays smooth and flawlessly. I have to give it more of a work out tonite. Edit, sorry, it is my '73 P Bass not my Jazz.
 

Attachments

  • Ric.jpg
    Ric.jpg
    44.4 KB · Views: 229
#50
Wow this is a great find!!!! Kinda sucks that I got mine a couple months ago for so much more...... only got 15% off regular price.

Although when I got mine, I received a 2011 Ric 4003 in MB. Seems like everyone on this sale is getting a 2010. Oh well :( it happens!
 
#55
Sub'd.

I got my shipping email last night, and a few hours later it was up on the UPS website. It's currently in Missouri somewhere, heading to me on the East Coast. Site says it will be here on Monday; I really hope I'm home when it shows up. UPS usually delivers in the evening so I think I'm okay. Will have my neighbors look out for it just in case.

I'm a little nervous about the shape it's in from reading this thread, but that is true of anything I buy mail-order. I much prefer to see what I'm buying in person before paying, but you do what you gotta do. Meanwhile the suspense is killing me...
 
#58
The "yellowing" of the binding concerns me on the one someone got. Also, the warped necks is bothersome. Also, how do you return a Rickenbacker? Aren't they "non returnable"? The site I ordered one from last week, (then canceled for a MM/SR) read a disclaimer to me over the phone stating Rics were not returnable for any reason. That I would need to deal directly with the company if I had any problems.

From the reports of the yellowing binding and warped necks, sounds like they may be in a hot warehouse? I'm glad now for two reasons that I canceled my order for the reasons stated and I had ordered a new Maple Glo at 1949.00. I would of been so mad at myself being that I did not see this sale.

I hope everyone who gets theirs don't have any further issues. Possibly they are discounting these because they know something?

I hope not as it would be very unfair to the customer and Rickenbacker if these were warehoused improperly.
 
#59
The worst that's happened is that someone's neck needed some adjustment (in my understanding of it). Yellowed binding and a warped neck are bad, but that happens sometimes- the return policy for MF is pretty easy. Most seem fine so far. Regardless, I'm so excited/nervous to receive mine! Monday seems SO FAR AWAY!
 
#60
paganjack said:
The worst that's happened is that someone's neck needed some adjustment (in my understanding of it). Yellowed binding and a warped neck are bad, but that happens sometimes- the return policy for MF is pretty easy. Most seem fine so far. Regardless, I'm so excited/nervous to receive mine! Monday seems SO FAR AWAY!
Click to expand...

I have read differently. Someone returned one because the neck was warped and the truss rod nuts were at their end. Someone else said their binding was yellowing.

Again, I hope everyone gets great Rics. They are a great bass.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back