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Ric 4003 NBD Letdown

#23
Pbass4003 said:
Ric5 - thanks again for showing up in both my recent threads. I plan on getting a setup no matter what, but it's a combo of the chipped binding and having my hopes squashed that convinced me to try an exchange. Just expected more out of the box—more along the lines of A-S-T's second bass.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Look, I'm with you here. I've been playing RIcs since Moses was a baby and owned many in that time. You should NOT haved received a bass in that condition and you should NOT have to begin tampering with it out of the box. To b sure, a set up isn't a big deal, but bad PUPs nd a crappily cut nut doesn't cut it with me, either.

Unfortunately, things like this happen. However, in the small(ish) operation that John Hall runs, this should have NOT left the factory.

Shoot it back and see if round two isn't more to your liking.

I applogize for the crappy spelling. Damn IPad in my bunk on the bus....
 
#26
Nut not fitting the slot and finish issues are indeed bad, but a bulk store sending you a bass perfectly setup is not going to happen unless you buy from a dealer who inspects and sets up the bass before shipping.
(several very good Rick dealers do free of charge)
MF definitely does not, and I expect Zzounds doesn't either unless you pay for it.
When I got my new 4003 from MF in 2010 the factory box had never been opened.

RIC's setup is actually a non-setup.
It's purposely set up high to allow you the maximum leeway to adjust the action to suit your needs.
This is actually their intention, they don't automatically assume that everyone wants the same action.
This can mask slight fret height issues, but a good setup will take care of that.

I've never bought a new bass that didn't need a setup regardless of price, and I learned to do the job myself with some very basic tools.

A good fret job will have to be paid for, but simple adjustments should be easily within the reach of anyone who knows what to do with a screwdriver and a small set of cheap hobby files.

It took me probably about a month of slight tweaking (taking things very slowly!) before I was fully satisfied with the setup, but now it's perfect, lower than many guitars in fact.
 
#27
Dude, I'm bummed for you! Fit/finish defects should not have to be accepted by the buyer. RIC has a good warranty so even sending it back to the factory, if that was what you wanted to do, should not be an issue.

Set ups are not that big a deal. Humidify levels and temperature differences have a lot to do with RIC necks. Spending a few months in a warehouse on North Dakota or Minnesota in the winter and then 4 or 5 days in a UPS truck getting bounced all over the country will change how it was when ti left sunny southern California.

Being able to fuss with your truss rods one or twice a year is pretty much standard maintenance for a Rickenbacker bass and it's nothing to scare you. Pretty easy and straight forward, actually.

Please let us know how you fare with your replacement. Also, what made in the USA sticker was on the bass? The oval type is the new style. the square ones were older. This is one way to figure out when the bass was made, if you don't have the serial number.

Sepp
 
#28
Kopfjaeger said:
Please let us know how you fare with your replacement. Also, what made in the USA sticker was on the bass? The oval type is the new style. the square ones were older. This is one way to figure out when the bass was made, if you don't have the serial number.
Click to expand...

It was oval and kind of textured

Also, here's an example of how great companies shine in the worst customer service moments (it's not clear from this email, but they ARE exchanging my bass). From Zzounds, my new favorite music dealer:

Hey Ryan,

We're really sorry that bass ended up being so beat up. We can
definitely credit you the difference between the price we gave you and
Wildwood's price. You'll more than likely see the $108.77 difference
credited towards your next payment.

Again, we're really sorry that Ric was defective. Your exchange request
is still being processed, and we'll still offer you the credited
difference. If you have any questions or would like some information,
feel free to email us or call at 800.zZounds (800.996.8637).

Thanks!

(winning)
 
#31
If the new one comes in and doesn't do it for you, a more affordable "inspired by" version would be the Schecter Stargazer if you can find one. I always thought these were kinda cool and very "Ric-y'

Here's a review and pic:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#32
Sorry to hear the bad news. I am sure ZZounds will fix the situation for you.
That honestly looks like What Musicians friend might sell as a level 2. It looks like it was returned and sent back out.
I had the exact opposite experience. I bought a "Level 2" from Musicians friend for a very discounted price. When I got it it was double boxed & appeared to be brand new directly from Rickenbacker. I have yet to figure out why MF called it level 2. It's perfect in every way.
FWIW I have never seen so many Ric's available. Usually they ship a bunch and people snatch them up & then they're gone. I used to buy a few and resell them for more on Flea-Bay once they became Scarce.
 
#33
Caca de Kick said:
Okay, while string slots in the nut are one thing, I think everyone is missing the fact the the nut cavity in the wood is cut to narrow, and the nut is too big to fit said cavity.
That is unacceptable.
Click to expand...

Rics do not have a nut cavity ...

The nut sits on flat wood on the headstock at the end of the fretboard.
 
#35
The problem with the nut is that the slots need to be filed a bit to get the lower fret action down. This is what Chris at Pick of the Ricks did with mine when I told him I like low action.Assuming that Ric ships it's basses without a setup, as mentioned earlier in the thread, this would be consistent with that practice.

The real problem with this bass is that the neck wood is warped and, even with a major truss rod adjustment, this issue will have to be dealt with throughout the bass' existence. This an occasional problem with new Rics and a good flaw to be on the lookout for. It makes all the difference.
 
#36
FWIW I have never seen so many Ric's available. Usually they ship a bunch and people snatch them up & then they're gone. I used to buy a few and resell them for more on Flea-Bay once they became Scarce. Point being is that Maybe Ric is "rushing" production a bit. I would really have to know the exact history of this particular bass. I have bought 7 Brand new Ric's and never had any problems.
 
#37
I've bought 2 of the 9 Ric's I've owned online. The '06 4003 from MF needed a set-up, but was perfect otherwise. The '08 4004Cii from Dave's guitar's came to me absolutely ready to go. All others were bought in person. If Zzounds gets it right the 2nd time, then all's fair. But if the next one is like the first, I'd shop from an actual guitar shop like Dave's, or Pick of the Ric's, as these people actually know a thing or 2 about how a bass should be set up before sending to a customer. Best of luck.
 
#39
There are a handful of what you'd call 'full service' Rick dealers, and Pick of the Ricks (PotR) is generally rated at the top by their customers from what I've read.
Never a bad review, great service and very competitive pricing, including an inspection and setup to your specifications.
I don't mean to knock anyone else but some dealers certainly do go above and beyond the call, there are others who do so also.

Absolutely the only reason I didn't buy mine there was that I didn't want to wait for a Midnite Blue one and MF had it in stock (at a higher price: didn't know then that they would price match).

At any rate, it looks as if Zzounds is doing what it takes to make a happy customer, and that's a very good thing.
Best of luck.
 
#40
Unfortunately, my circumstances are similar to yours. I ordered a Ruby 4003 from POTR in May. Was delivered to my house in late October. I inspected it and immediately found an issue with the binding. Called Chris at POTR and he advised me to contact RIC about a warranty repair. I filled out the warranty card, waited and got an RA #. Sent it to RIC and got it back about 3 weeks later after the repair and it is still not right. I sent it back again. Hopefully they will fix it right this time.

It sucks. I've been patiently waiting for this bass since May and still no joy. Just bad luck, I guess. I have 3 other RICs that are awesome basses, the oldest being a 1977 4001, which I've owned since 1979.

Hang in there. Hoping for the best for both of us.

--jack
 

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