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Rickenbacker finish issue (Resolved by RIC)
- Thread starter Wolfenstein666
- Start date
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- Tags
- rick
Briefly thought about yanking the bridge off to have a look see, but that's not an option as long as any possible warranty work through RIC is still on the table. If they hang me out to dry I'll probably end up taking the bridge off (CAREFULLY) as I look for a way to seal the finish back up and prevent further spread.
I can't see them not making things right. It's way too new to let it slide.
Personally I can think of only a couple basses I think are better looking than a Rick, and they all cost $10k +. My first bass was a 79' Jetglo, flawlessly finished and with a super thin neck. It's like your first girlfriend, she gets more beautiful in the minds eye as years pass. Plug them in to Ric O Sound and it's all Ear Nirvana.
On all three of the blue ones, the bubbling was around the top and sides of the bridge along where the mutes are. Wish I still had the photos. It almost reminded me of how paint will bubble over a rusted surface before the corrosion comes through.
Reading this thread, i feel maybe i lucked out getting one without these issues. Im torn b/c i love this bass so much. Eager to hear what RIC tells OP.
Just for fun.
First picture I received upon contacting WW about a new 4003JG.
First picture I took upon getting it in the mail:
Picture I took yesterday:
First picture I received upon contacting WW about a new 4003JG.
First picture I took upon getting it in the mail:
Picture I took yesterday:
Well, first of all.. if you're sure that you're within a year of the manufacture date; YES, get in touch with RIC as soon as possible. And, by all means, do the same with the seller. As for why this happens?? I can only speculate, along with everybody else. Neither of my Rick basses have this problem, but one is a '73 4001, and the other is a COY 2001; and COYs are pretty much a custom finish. My '87 Fireglo 330 guitar, though, definitely has a finish problem. It's brittle as glass, and likes to come off in chunks. But, I dislike Fireglo anyway, so this just makes stripping it easier...
I do think the tailpiece might have something to do with the problem, since this seems to happen around there a lot. Yes, several people have found rough spots on the bottom edges of the tailpiece; that can't do a brittle finish much good. I also think that the tailpiece screws being either too tight or too loose might be a factor, also. Too tight has obvious consequences; too loose would let string tension pull the tailpiece's front edge down on the finish - again, not good on brittle paint.
In any case, you have my sympathy, and I really do hope the problem is solved to your satisfaction. I love my Ricks, and it bums me out to see people turned off of them because of stupid ... crap... like this, over and over...
I do think the tailpiece might have something to do with the problem, since this seems to happen around there a lot. Yes, several people have found rough spots on the bottom edges of the tailpiece; that can't do a brittle finish much good. I also think that the tailpiece screws being either too tight or too loose might be a factor, also. Too tight has obvious consequences; too loose would let string tension pull the tailpiece's front edge down on the finish - again, not good on brittle paint.
In any case, you have my sympathy, and I really do hope the problem is solved to your satisfaction. I love my Ricks, and it bums me out to see people turned off of them because of stupid ... crap... like this, over and over...
I think the only sure fire way to avoid the finish problems is to go with an oil finished 4003w or 4003ws. It's a repairable finish by sanding it down and adding more oil.
Well, first of all.. if you're sure that you're within a year of the manufacture date; YES, get in touch with RIC as soon as possible. And, by all means, do the same with the seller. As for why this happens?? I can only speculate, along with everybody else. Neither of my Rick basses have this problem, but one is a '73 4001, and the other is a COY 2001; and COYs are pretty much a custom finish. My '87 Fireglo 330 guitar, though, definitely has a finish problem. It's brittle as glass, and likes to come off in chunks. But, I dislike Fireglo anyway, so this just makes stripping it easier...
I do think the tailpiece might have something to do with the problem, since this seems to happen around there a lot. Yes, several people have found rough spots on the bottom edges of the tailpiece; that can't do a brittle finish much good. I also think that the tailpiece screws being either too tight or too loose might be a factor, also. Too tight has obvious consequences; too loose would let string tension pull the tailpiece's front edge down on the finish - again, not good on brittle paint.
In any case, you have my sympathy, and I really do hope the problem is solved to your satisfaction. I love my Ricks, and it bums me out to see people turned off of them because of stupid ... crap... like this, over and over...
Manufactured July of 2015. Still have months left till the manufacture date.
RIC will repair it, the thing that sucks is over $100 to ship it there and back, the time your out of a bass and the fact that just because its repainted doesnt mean it wont happen again. I got lucky with my 2011, its been months since I looked at it closely so maybe not but last I looked it hadnt had this happened yet so there is hope that a respray holds up, mine is mapleglo.
Forgive me man, between my eyesight and an older monitor, I'm having trouble seeing the flaw or bubbling. Can you point me to which area is doing it?
Woah, I saw that but thought it was a reflection of the bridge. That's a big one. Wishing you all the best with that.
Wolf,
That looks almost exactly like what I saw on the bass at GC. They are tightening the bridge down before the clear coat is fully cured, i'd bet on it. You have the photos to document the problem, can't see how they can dodge that bullet.
That looks almost exactly like what I saw on the bass at GC. They are tightening the bridge down before the clear coat is fully cured, i'd bet on it. You have the photos to document the problem, can't see how they can dodge that bullet.
Gilmour
I don't want to sound too optimistic but it looks like I have them on all fronts. I'm calling them here in about an hour. I don't know if I'll be able to update tonight (we have a gig), but I will as soon as I'm able.
I don't want to sound too optimistic but it looks like I have them on all fronts. I'm calling them here in about an hour. I don't know if I'll be able to update tonight (we have a gig), but I will as soon as I'm able.
I probably don't need to tell you this, but just in case:
Easier to attract flies with honey. If what I hear about Ric C.S. is true, they aren't crazy about honoring the warranty and may give you some static. I'd love to see you get this resolved without any drama spoiling the process.
Again, good luck.
Just noticed the grain on that fingerboard, dang that neck is gorgeous.
If you are within the dealers satisfaction period, why not return it for another? Or have you had it for a while?
If you have to send it to Ric, outbound for you should run $30~50, and I believe Ric ships it back on their dime.
If you have to send it to Ric, outbound for you should run $30~50, and I believe Ric ships it back on their dime.
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