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Rickenbacker Binding Issues
- Thread starter GeezerDeacon69
- Start date
My impression of Rickenbackers are that they are equivalent with Italian cars/ motorcycles. Lots of soul, and great performance when it is right or setup right. But by no way Rickenbacker basses have the same average quality as other basses in this price range.
My Geddy jazz is amazingly well build. It cost 10000 Nkr in Norway. A new 4003 cost 20000 Nkr. By no way the Rick is better build then the Geddy. Certainly not in average, and I will better the MIJ Gaddy Jazz in average is better build then a new 4003.
But, when it comes to it, learning to live with the quirks of a Ric (little tail lift, yellow binding etc..) if you like the Ric tone, then no other bass will be as satisfying to play. Look, and tone.... just like an Itlian Ducati!!
My Geddy jazz is amazingly well build. It cost 10000 Nkr in Norway. A new 4003 cost 20000 Nkr. By no way the Rick is better build then the Geddy. Certainly not in average, and I will better the MIJ Gaddy Jazz in average is better build then a new 4003.
But, when it comes to it, learning to live with the quirks of a Ric (little tail lift, yellow binding etc..) if you like the Ric tone, then no other bass will be as satisfying to play. Look, and tone.... just like an Itlian Ducati!!
The binding will yellow . To be honest I have an older one and the binding had turned yellow long before it came my way ... it made me immediately realize I was buying a vintage bass though . I love the look .
I think of yellow binding as relic without the dings , scratches and abuse .
Rickenbackers are different than other basses .
I think of yellow binding as relic without the dings , scratches and abuse .
Rickenbackers are different than other basses .
People who recognize my handle will know I'm fairly plugged-in to what's going on with Rics most of the time and I have to be honest, it's the first I've really heard of this happening so it's especially weird more than one person is chiming in on it. The yellowing is weird because the new varnish isn't supposed to do that anymore. It's UV-cured now and a lot more stable... I can personally attest to this. The fissuring... very weird. Maybe the glue formula changed but it's failing. Try to get customer service to fix it under warranty, that's the cheapest and easiest way IME.
EDIT: I see a lot of negative comments about Ric's customer service... but for the record they have treated me really well on a couple of different occasions, and I do mean really well, and they did not owe me any favors other than what's guaranteed to everyone who obtains the warranty. I won't go into detail but I'll answer PMs if people are curious.
EDIT: I see a lot of negative comments about Ric's customer service... but for the record they have treated me really well on a couple of different occasions, and I do mean really well, and they did not owe me any favors other than what's guaranteed to everyone who obtains the warranty. I won't go into detail but I'll answer PMs if people are curious.
BTW: SOME states have no time limit on defective goods or manufacturing processes for the life of (in this case) your bass. Anyone in one of those states could invoke that law for their own good.
That's great, They should treat everyone really well, not just the folks that have been singing their praises for years on the RIC forums. It doesn't hurt that you're on a first name basis with the Ben and John Hall. I love my Rics but would never consider trying to get warranty service. They did send me the strings that were missing from my 12 string sets but refused to exchange defective cold solder joint pickups installed in my guitar.
The first time I had a warranty claim with them I was a still faceless, brand new customer to them. That was the time they really blew me away with their service--they did things they technically didn't have to in order to complete the work, but they went the extra mile on several details. Am I just really lucky? I guess but it seems weird they would treat me any different, especially when I had only owned my first Ric for a few months.
If you would "never consider" getting warranty service you can't complain about it either... that's for darn sure. EDIT: I see you tried to get them to send you new pickups and they probably countered you needed to send the guitar in so they can inspect it. People differ on whether this is reasonable but surely you can at least see their business perspective on it. If it's just a bad solder joint why send you new pickups? Etc. So they would want to diagnose it.
Lastly: I don't think John or Ben treat me any different than they treat anyone else. They are both vey fair guys. If anything they're probably really tired of me!
Anyway, I'm done "singing their praises" for now (that's all I do apparently) so goodbye thread--OP feel free to PM me if you want help with anything, I'll do my best.
I have a MID that has a manufacture date of 10/10 and it is flawless. I bought it 3 months before the MF blowout (from MF), and the binding is yellower than the pickguard (more creme like to me) and has no cracks anywhere.
Not sure this really helps the OP, but my Ric was manufactured around the same time.
Good Luck!
Not sure this really helps the OP, but my Ric was manufactured around the same time.
Good Luck!
