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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
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#661
2nd Wind said:
Actually the real RIC quality issues (other than bthrem's 2011) seem to be the ~March 2010-made basses. The others have been pretty good with just setup type issues, or personal preferences. I think the visible wood joint lines or tail lift (unfortunately) are there on all the basses and therefore to be "standard" in a Rick.

Is this how the rest of you see it?
Click to expand...

pretty much. +1

nut install was a poor job though:hmm:
 
#662
A-Step-Towards said:
Ok the necks are HUGE , I love big wide necks , I love the 1.75 inch fender vintage style P necks. Well these feel as big and also thicker. They are big ass necks , I love it tho , its like holding half a one liter bottle. I do see that most people like jazz width necks and if you do , this is not the bass for you.


I hope my new one is a good one , I want a good bass to keep for a long time.
Click to expand...
My '04 4003 has a really big neck, baseball bat has been said. Compared to my '75 4001 it is humongous. But I like it and actually it is the most stable bass neck I have, not prone to the temp/humidity seasonal changes we get here.

I too hope the new one will be a keeper, you really like the Rick bass experience.
 
#663
People complain too much about little things that don't matter on Rics ...

I have been looking at this sale and I would like to get 1 or 2 of these and convert them into a 5 string bass something like this ...

Bass5-0033.jpg
 
#664
2nd Wind said:
Actually the real RIC quality issues (other than bthrem's 2011) seem to be the ~March 2010-made basses. The others have been pretty good with just setup type issues, or personal preferences. I think the visible wood joint lines or tail lift (unfortunately) are there on all the basses and therefore to be "standard" in a Rick.

Is this how the rest of you see it?
Click to expand...

I seem to be the exception; my March 2010 is flawless.
 
#667
Ok, here are my pictures and first impressions:
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The bass arrived in the same box as others have mentioned. It looked to be factory packed and unopened. It was originally shipped to MF in May of 2011. The instrument was tuned down approximately half a step and the truss rod needed approximately 1/8th of a turn to achieve specified relief (or lack thereof ;) )

The Problems:

  • The handle on the case is broken. One of the pins that hold on the handle is missing. The case is essentially unusable as is.
  • As noted in the pictures above, there is a paint issue on the treble side of the bridge. There is a bubble in on spot, and what looks like flaking on the side. It is minor (seems less significant that bhrem) but it is there and, quite bluntly, unacceptable for a $1900 instrument.
  • There are a couple of places where the binding is less than perfect, but I'm not real concerned about that.
  • The 4th fret seems to be high. I have fret buzz when I fret any string on the third fret, but nowhere else. With the truss rod adjusted to specifications, the action is approximately 7/64th at the 12th fret and definitely won't go any lower without a fret job. It's acceptable.

The bass sounds great. Even my wife (who can't tell a P bass from a wet fart) says it sounds fantastic. It's a bit noisy, but I'm running a very hi-fi rig and I expected it. It's nothing I can't live with.

Binding: My body binding is more creme than white, but the color is consistent. It is darker that the pick guard. Honestly, that's a complete non-issue for me, as I like things to look a bit aged.

I haven't decided what to do at this point. On one hand, the instrument plays well and sounds great. The imperfections are minor and very hard to notice. The fret work is, in my opinion, sub-par, but I am fortunate to have a luthier with a plek machine in town and I get all of my keepers adjusted by him anyway. I'm definitely going to talk to MF about fixing the case and make a decision from there.
 
#668
Medford Bassman said:
I have a cleaning question. What do I use to clean the body of the RIC? I know to use the cloth provided but what about stuff the cloth won't wipe off? For example, my guitard asked to handle the bass. Apparently with greasy/dirty hands and put prints on it I can't get off.

I know RIC recommends pure carnuba wax but will that remove the prints? Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...
Whatever everyone uses and recommends, you do NOT want any silicone in it because it will soften the CV clearcoat. If you get a good carnuba wax, like Turtle Wax like the factory uses, or Zymol Blue (great stuff!) and put on 2 good coats using a 100% cotton diaper washed without fabric softener, you will get a super shine and the golden highlights on the bubinga fretboard will look 3D. It will make the neck slippery and using a clean diaper after playing to wipe down, it will clean up easy.
 
#672
Just received mine an hour ago. First of all, I want to say, this is not my first Rickenbacker. This is my third 4003, and I also have a 620 and 4004L. Things like being able to see the wings of the body or the headstock - that is normal and is seen in everyone I've owned or played. Now, onto the review...

Manufacturing date: May, 2011. It looks like I have the newest one of the bunch so far, but the problems are still there, all over the bass. (pun not intended)

Note: I took a lot of pictures and I'll edit this post tomorrow when I have time to upload them.

- Bridge lifting.
- Paint rippling around the bridge.
- Paint rippling next to the bridge pickup
- Strange finish droppings on the treble side of the frets. It's as if the frets were over cut and finish was dropped on there as filler.
- Binding - although it isn't as yellow as others, it has an off white, almost yellow hue to it. Not sure why, especially when it was already stated anything after June 2010 should not exhibit this behavior.
- Crack in finish near neck joint. This was the first thing that I noticed when examining it in the case. I see this on my old Ibanez bolt on guitars, but not Rics.

Edit: forgot to add this little bit - the truss rod cover is bowed outwards. Mis aligned holes? Yes it is very obvious.

Otherwise, the sound and setup feels great. I'll sleep on it and see, but it doesn't leave a good feeling about the current QC at Rick. Sorry JH, I know you are monitoring this thread, but I wish it came out better, much better. I've had many basses over the years since the mid-80's and this is the first one I'm pondering sending back.
 
#676
whoapower said:
Just received mine an hour ago. First of all, I want to say, this is not my first Rickenbacker. This is my third 4003, and I also have a 620 and 4004L. Things like being able to see the wings of the body or the headstock - that is normal and is seen in everyone I've owned or played. Now, onto the review...

Manufacturing date: May, 2011. It looks like I have the newest one of the bunch so far, but the problems are still there, all over the bass. (pun not intended)

Note: I took a lot of pictures and I'll edit this post tomorrow when I have time to upload them.

- Bridge lifting.
- Paint rippling around the bridge.
- Paint rippling next to the bridge pickup
- Strange finish droppings on the treble side of the frets. It's as if the frets were over cut and finish was dropped on there as filler.
- Binding - although it isn't as yellow as others, it has an off white, almost yellow hue to it. Not sure why, especially when it was already stated anything after June 2010 should not exhibit this behavior.
- Crack in finish near neck joint. This was the first thing that I noticed when examining it in the case. I see this on my old Ibanez bolt on guitars, but not Rics.

Edit: forgot to add this little bit - the truss rod cover is bowed outwards. Mis aligned holes? Yes it is very obvious.

Otherwise, the sound and setup feels great. I'll sleep on it and see, but it doesn't leave a good feeling about the current QC at Rick. Sorry JH, I know you are monitoring this thread, but I wish it came out better, much better. I've had many basses over the years since the mid-80's and this is the first one I'm pondering sending back.
Click to expand...

THIS is what I was talking about with QC. Again, glad I didn't order.
 
#679
GeezerDeacon69 said:
I seem to be the exception; my March 2010 is flawless.
Click to expand...

Mine is a March 2010 as well. After reading these posts all day about finish and fit problems, I rush home each night and the first thing I do is look at mine to try to find some of these issues, but I can't. There is a little finish funkiness around the bridge on mine too, like a tiny bit of finish "lifting" around the bridge, but you have to look *really* close to see it. Nothing like Bthrem's issue. Closer to Guy n. Cognito's. I'm definitely keeping mine despite this. It plays great and sounds fantastic, especially with the vintage sound deployed.

Guy, if you are leaning towards keeping the bass, call MF customer service. They sent me a "vintage" case to replace the cracked case I initially received. I got it today, and it is awesome with blue velour to match the MID to boot!
 
#680
2nd Wind said:
There should be enough travel, the set screws are 5/8" long.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help...the screws are bottomed out. It's just about right...though the nut needs some filing too. I noticed when I was playing it tonight, there is quite a bit of travel/height in the 1st positions. Also the G string slips off the neck every so often...just getting used to it.

Now when you say adjusting the saddle slots..you do mean the top of the saddles?
It's been a long time since I worked on my other RIC('71)

Over all, I love it. It just takes some time to tweak it to where I want it.

Thanks again.

This is my FAV new thread on TB
 
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