*Official* MF MID Rickenbacker Sale thread

[electracoyote]

So my question is, who was the kook at MF who went apocalypse-crazy and stockpiled hundreds of blue Rics????

I have to agree with the "MID is the least popular color" theorists. In the stock pics you see, it does look pretty blah. If I didn't know better I'd be tempted to pass on it for another color. But, obviously, in person, they really are gorgeous (if you like blue to begin with). Some of the pics on this thread...wow.

I think alot of the winners on this thread are the beneficiaries of a poor marketing campaign on a very cool finish.

 

[Quickie]

So my question is, who was the kook at MF who went apocalypse-crazy and stockpiled hundreds of blue Rics????

The same guy that's at the un employment office today after all this?

 

[electracoyote]

My replacement is being shipped today, and it is not midnight blue

What color did you get?

 

[kcole4001]

The same guy that's at the un employment office today after all this?

I'm reasonably sure that MF didn't lose money on this deal, they just didn't make as much as they normally would.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Some RIC personnel (can't remember exactly who) have stated in the past to the effect that they expect the customer to either get a setup, have the dealer set it up (some do, PotR for example), or set it up themselves lower than the as shipped action height.
Better too high than too low is their philosophy in this regard.

So, some people tell us that RIC intends for end users to set up their own basses (including cutting the nut), and others say that leveling high frets will "void the warranty". It's exhausting to try to keep up.

 

[Quickie]

I'm reasonably sure that MF didn't lose money on this deal, they just didn't make as much as they normally would.

I agree. If anything, MF has increased their customer base through their fast and more than fair handling of this matter.

 

[Aceonbass]

Wut??

My rating of completely satisfied was just that. I was completely satisfied with my purchase and the way one small issue was dealt with by RIC customer service. Now if my issue was not dealt with, I would have given a different rating. I think many more here would have given a higher rating if they had simply called RIC instead complaining here about it first, assuming that the only solution was to send the bass back. I've seen a few of RIC's refins (been to the factory twice), and they're quite nice.
Incidently, for those that think refinishing an instrument is a risky proposition, it is if you don't know how to do it. I've had several custom basses refinished by Pat Wilkins out in Van Nuys (I think he's done something like 10,000 instruments) so I think RIC can handle it at their level too.

 

[Toastfuzz]

My rating of completely satisfied was just that. I was completely satisfied with my purchase and the way one small issue was dealt with by RIC customer service. Now if my issue was not dealt with, I would have given a different rating. I think many more here would have given a higher rating if they had simply called RIC instead complaining here about it first, assuming that the only solution was to send the bass back. I've seen a few of RIC's refins (been to the factory twice), and they're quite nice.
Incidently, for those that think refinishing an instrument is a risky proposition, it is if you don't know how to do it. I've had several custom basses refinished by Pat Wilkins out in Van Nuys (I think he's done something like 10,000 instruments) so I think RIC can handle it at their level too.

Very cool man, glad your happy with it! Was just curious, I was a bit confused by your consecutive posts

 

[audiomitch]

So, some people tell us that RIC intends for end users to set up their own basses (including cutting the nut), and others say that leveling high frets will "void the warranty". It's exhausting to try to keep up.

Most people don't consider taking a file to the frets as part of a setup. Apparently Ric shares this view.

 

[James_E]

Just got off the phone with MF. Although I was completely satisfied with my bass, I thought I'd try and get the extra 5% discount now available with the VIP15 code beyond what I already got with my initial 10% discount, and it worked. An additional $64.00 off put my bass at $1105!

Nice. Just called and did the same thing. Got the extra 5% off as well. Awesome. This deal just gets better. The dude I bought this for is quite happy!

 

[cassius987]

Leveling the frets is rarely part of the basic setup of any instrument. I know my luthier has two set up fees: the "basic setup" covers the nut, bridge, and neck relief, and anything more, like fret work, becomes an "advanced setup". A new Ric shouldn't need fret work, if it does return it, get warranty work done, or have a luthier take care of it.

 

[Aceonbass]

So, some people tell us that RIC intends for end users to set up their own basses (including cutting the nut), and others say that leveling high frets will "void the warranty". It's exhausting to try to keep up.

If you have high frets, it's a warranty issue. The bass should be sent back to them to have the work done. Of course having them leveled yourself is going to void the warranty on THE FRETS only, not the rest of the bass. This isn't rocket science.

 

[Quickie]

Yep, post them pictures, boys. EC won't buy it unless he sees it for himself........

Yeah, I know how that is.

No pics, no bass.

If you have high frets, it's a warranty issue. The bass should be sent back to them to have the work done. Of course having them leveled yourself is going to void the warranty on THE FRETS only, not the rest of the bass. This isn't rocket science.

Exactly.

 

[Mr wiggl3s]

I called asking about "ebate" because nobody here really responds... the dude pretty much told me i was stupid and ran around circles about it. He said he had never heard of a 6% ebate and that the idea of it was dumb.

 

[rizzo9247]

What color did you get?

mapleglo!

 

[Quickie]

I called asking about "ebate" because nobody here really responds... the dude pretty much told me i was stupid and ran around circles about it. He said he had never heard of a 6% ebate and that the idea of it was dumb.

Well, that was a rude reply. Some here have gotten different responses from a couple people at MF but they called again and got things squared away. May I suggest you try again? Hopefully you will get a different representative.

mapleglo!

My favorite. Good for you rizzo. Enjoy it.

 

[electracoyote]

mapleglo!

Fascinating, Captain.

Well played sir.

 

[Quickie]

View attachment 223284

Fascinating, Captain.

Well played sir.

Too funny.

 

[guy n. cognito]

If you have high frets, it's a warranty issue. The bass should be sent back to them to have the work done. Of course having them leveled yourself is going to void the warranty on THE FRETS only, not the rest of the bass. This isn't rocket science.

You're right, it's not. Thats why I pushed back when I was told that having high frets fixed would "void the warranty.". It would, in fact, only void the warranty if the fret work caused a defect.

It's a common sense debate to me. While I'm sure that RIC would gladly fix the high frets (something they should have done in the first place) the bass will spend two weeks in transit, at least a week in their shop. The cost to ship to RIC come out of my pocket. Furthermore, the bass will be at risk for further damage during shipping. When i finally get the bass back, it will be setup to factory specs.

On the flip side, I have a world-class luthier here in Nashville who is the leading user of the plek machine. For about $150, he can do a full setup, including fixing high frets, and set up the bass EXACTLY to my specs. I'll get the bass back in about a week. The only downside is that it might cause me problems if I have fretboard defect warranty issues during the next 5 years.

 

[GregC]

How do you get the "ebate"?

I tried and apparently failed.

Last night, I signed up for Ebates on their site and clicked through to MF's site. Went to the 4003, selected midnight blue then clicked on Email for Price. Got the email, clicked on Add to Cart and put in the coupon code and bought it. But I've heard nothing from Ebates.

According to Ebates' site, you get the rebate by purchasing something after using their links, but it has to be the same "session" I believe. Well, I kept that window open during the process, but the only way to actually add the 4003 to your cart is through the link in the MF price email. Obviously, that's a separate window.

A few folks say they got the Ebate, so I must have done something wrong. I can't really complain given the killer price, although that extra 6% back would have been nice.