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Refinish for a Grecofacker ? Poll
- Thread starter Hemitom
- Start date
I wouldn't do it if I were you. Those high quality Japanese copies, esp. the Greco's are starting to fetch fairly good money. You might be kicking yourself in a few years if you do a refin. I'd leave it alone. Those are very highly regarded.
No idea how to fix the poll, but when it comes to refins, I always say no, unless it's already been screwed up by the previous owner. I have a G&L that was a victim of a bad 80's spray on graphics job. That one will need a refin. For the ones that haven't been messed with, I say PLEASE leave them alone.
+100 to the devaluation effect.
This could be you:
IF you ever find yourself in that dreaded place called financial calamity and need to sell them....OR just want to get $$$ for another GAS-maker.
The way Gestapo-Backer has eBay with it's arm behind it's back and up against the wall for every single auction for one of these that pops up....only serves to make YOURS more valuable and sought after. I've seen one pulled this morning
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=150079757518&rd=1&rd=1
and another about to get pulled probably:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...name=STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=150079757518
Will Fender wake up and start chasing down all their clones? They've already told Japan dealers to stop sending good stuff over here.
Will Orville's made in Japan be outlawed in the USA?
Will any bass be safe from this outbreak of bassaphobia?
This could be you:
IF you ever find yourself in that dreaded place called financial calamity and need to sell them....OR just want to get $$$ for another GAS-maker.
The way Gestapo-Backer has eBay with it's arm behind it's back and up against the wall for every single auction for one of these that pops up....only serves to make YOURS more valuable and sought after. I've seen one pulled this morning
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=150079757518&rd=1&rd=1
and another about to get pulled probably:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...name=STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=150079757518
Will Fender wake up and start chasing down all their clones? They've already told Japan dealers to stop sending good stuff over here.
Will Orville's made in Japan be outlawed in the USA?
Will any bass be safe from this outbreak of bassaphobia?
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
I'd agree. Stick with stock unless it really, really needs it.
My 83 Grickenbacker 4001 in Mapleglo arrived this week and it's a peach.
That sucks. But the one I got was because I saw it within the first hour it listed, and when it was deleted, emailled the seller and made a private deal.You right about Gestapo Bay.I've had 3 auctions cancelled in past years and had a nicely phrased threat the third time around about my account from Ebay.
Does anyone know why this goes on? Surely when Rick had the lawsuits, and they were settled, it didn't mean that all the old ones had to be hunted down and destroyed. So if the bill has been paid in the past, why is it only these particular auctions that seem to go through this rigmarole?
Well after a long internal battle I opted to refinish the Greco in a autumn like burst since it won't be going anywhere. These were taken over the last few days as the laquer clearcoats are applied.
After a wet sand and polish she'll be finished off with a aged mint pickguard,real Ric neck toaster,Horseshoe bridge surround,4003 bridge as well as new wiring/pots/vintage knobs and tuners.
The color is actually more Autumn brown.Not as red as the pictures show
After a wet sand and polish she'll be finished off with a aged mint pickguard,real Ric neck toaster,Horseshoe bridge surround,4003 bridge as well as new wiring/pots/vintage knobs and tuners.
The color is actually more Autumn brown.Not as red as the pictures show
Well here's my refinished Burst Greco(Nitro finish)all back together and sounding wonderful.
Stewmac Tuners
Rickenbacker Toaster in the neck.
Fabricated Horseshoe surround with a 1978
Ric bridge PU
Mint Green pickguard
4003 Bridge
and new wiring harness with vintage knobs.
Stewmac Tuners
Rickenbacker Toaster in the neck.
Fabricated Horseshoe surround with a 1978
Ric bridge PU
Mint Green pickguard
4003 Bridge
and new wiring harness with vintage knobs.
Very pretty, Tom.
I may be picking your brain about these copies in the near future as I have that Natural Univox on it's way.
I may be picking your brain about these copies in the near future as I have that Natural Univox on it's way.
I chose the black option in the poll, but am changing my mind to leave it as it is, for a lot of the same reasons stated here. Your Greco is a really good looking bass now!
One thing I don't understand is, how can any manufacturer stop the sale of a clone when it is a sale between two private parties for an instrument that is no longer made?
I like Ric's and can see a company protecting it's product but this is a little off the wall in my book......
I wonder what would happen, hypothetically, if a company made clone of a clone....you know a Greco knock off.....
One thing I don't understand is, how can any manufacturer stop the sale of a clone when it is a sale between two private parties for an instrument that is no longer made?
I like Ric's and can see a company protecting it's product but this is a little off the wall in my book......
I wonder what would happen, hypothetically, if a company made clone of a clone....you know a Greco knock off.....
I tell you my original thought was to leave it alone but after seeing the finished job I would say I have changed my mind.
Nice job
The bass looks beautiful!
peace,
Brian
Nice job
The bass looks beautiful!
peace,
Brian
Why doesn't Rickenbacker do what everyone else has done...manufacturer a bolt on maple neck (asian made)Ric with cheaper soapbar pickups ,Basswood body,bridge etc that a kid,beginner or pro can buy ? I don't think it lessens or devalues the USA made Rics.I chose the black option in the poll, but am changing my mind to leave it as it is, for a lot of the same reasons stated here. Your Greco is a really good looking bass now!
One thing I don't understand is, how can any manufacturer stop the sale of a clone when it is a sale between two private parties for an instrument that is no longer made?
I like Ric's and can see a company protecting it's product but this is a little off the wall in my book......
I wonder what would happen, hypothetically, if a company made clone of a clone....you know a Greco knock off.....
Well, I see that as not being the coveted Ric or Ric tone...but an entry level Ric, or a mid level bass. You are right, this probably won't devalue the US made Basses...but...well read on....
All in all it would be a nice bass but I think it might be lost in the sea of "nice" basses. The cost of a new Ric is not out of most peoples reach if they save for it.....(like I am)
Ric apparently see's no need to do as you describe as they sell every bass every time many times well in advance of production. If they are doing fine, making profits and always just barely meeting demand, their market will never saturate....and this also adds to the Mystique/allure of a Ric, not to mention their quality stays very high and this all supports their reputation in the biz...
One word answer.
Integrity
John Hall obviously disagrees with you.
He obviously protects his brand /reputation very vigorously, as we've all seen with what happens when copies show up on Ebay.
I personally think it's pretty ridiculous. These companies have already been sued, and production of the copies stopped. How anybody can justify stopping the sale of these basses now is beyond me. Does Ric just want everybody to pretend they never existed?
No, I don't think they want everyone to pretend they never exiested. I do think however, that John Hall would like to keep these out of the U.S. market where his U.S. trademarks, patents and copyrights apply. Not a whole lot he can do about sales outside of the U.S. That Greco is a fine fine instrument, but was not intended for the U.S. market so far as I know.
Ernie Ball/Music Man are also very protective of their products, but not as protective as Rickenbacker. Even they have stuff "licence built" by OLP.
Rickenbacker clearly doesn't want to compete in any market other than the one that they are in. I personaly think producing an off shore version would cheapen the brand. They have a reputation as fine handbuilt instruments, from a family owned business. John Hall seems more interested in keeping his quality at a certain level, more than making extra money.
This is something I can respect. They put their reputation ahead of making extra money. As it is, the demand is greater than production. Sure, Hall could expand his factory, and crank out 3 times as many instruments a day to keep up with demand, but what's the trade off in quality?
