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RickenBacker 4003 Fireglo - is it a scam?
- Thread starter PunkRockDunn
- Start date
Come with beautiful box, easy to carry and safety enough for guitar.
I would say, based on the wacky Engrish phrasing, that this is a copy courtesy of our friends in the PRC.
I would say, based on the wacky Engrish phrasing, that this is a copy courtesy of our friends in the PRC.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I don't have a problem with copies/clones ... but they should not put lies on the headstock.
It's a modern Chinese copy, definitely a fake. The bridge is too far from the edge of the body, and it's a set-neck instead of neck-through.
Chinese knockoff, IMO. Was just looking at them earlier today. Phony as a 3-dollar bill with Dick Nixon's picture on it.
Why?
(1) Tailpiece/bridge does NOT look right or like that on any Ric I've seen or owned;
(2) It appears that the cover for the bridge pickup is attached from the top of the instrument; and
(3) The pickup cover is squared off at the downward bend, not rounded like a true Ric.
Still might be cheep 'n' cheerful fun though.
Why?
(1) Tailpiece/bridge does NOT look right or like that on any Ric I've seen or owned;
(2) It appears that the cover for the bridge pickup is attached from the top of the instrument; and
(3) The pickup cover is squared off at the downward bend, not rounded like a true Ric.
Still might be cheep 'n' cheerful fun though.
Chinese knock off. these are everywhere. www.dhgate(dot)com bunch of fakes. are they good fakes? no idea. i just wouldnt buy them.
This one is better...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
it's the new blue fireglow we've all been anticipating & no toasters or complicated bridges - straight up jazz single coils & a bent plate...
Swweeeeeet...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
it's the new blue fireglow we've all been anticipating & no toasters or complicated bridges - straight up jazz single coils & a bent plate...
Swweeeeeet...
You can tell it's fake by the following:
The knobs.
The Bridge.
The treble pickup cover.
The fretboard and its apparent lack of... lacquer.
The color of said fretboard.
The inlays. Real 4001/4003 doesn't have an inlay on the first fret.
The neck on the back sure as hell doesn't look like it goes thru-body.
The finish is a more generic burst type and not the true FireGlo.
Sure, the nameplate might say Rickenbacker, but on a real one, "Made in USA" is usually stamped on straight and not crooked.
Normally the quickest way to spot a fake is by the hardware. This one just happens to do a lot of other things wrong as well. Even the "best" looking fake will usually get at least one of the aforementioned things wrong, the bridge and pickup cover being the more obvious.
The knobs.
The Bridge.
The treble pickup cover.
The fretboard and its apparent lack of... lacquer.
The color of said fretboard.
The inlays. Real 4001/4003 doesn't have an inlay on the first fret.
The neck on the back sure as hell doesn't look like it goes thru-body.
The finish is a more generic burst type and not the true FireGlo.
Sure, the nameplate might say Rickenbacker, but on a real one, "Made in USA" is usually stamped on straight and not crooked.
Normally the quickest way to spot a fake is by the hardware. This one just happens to do a lot of other things wrong as well. Even the "best" looking fake will usually get at least one of the aforementioned things wrong, the bridge and pickup cover being the more obvious.
I saw that one and damn near burst out laughing in my office. Never knew that the Halls had such a great affinity for their California competitors that they actually put J pickups in a "4003." :scowl:
Nope, the quality of the photos is one way to tell.
Another giveaway is the lack of a 'Contact' link in a prominent place, and no physical location/street address on Ranier, and no customer service phone number.
Cheesy bonus: Photos of the CEO next to his house, and his women.
Another giveaway is the lack of a 'Contact' link in a prominent place, and no physical location/street address on Ranier, and no customer service phone number.
Cheesy bonus: Photos of the CEO next to his house, and his women.
I agree, nothing wrong with copies or clones but don't put the brand names on the instrument or advertising! Bad!
