I'm thinking the 4003 walnut would also not experience any issues to the finish.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Rickenbacker finish issue (Resolved by RIC)
- Thread starter Wolfenstein666
- Start date
-
- Tags
- rick
Update
It was almost over before it started.
I forgot to send in the warranty card.
HOWEVER. It states clear as day in the warranty Manuel that if the card is not on file the original sales invoice will suffice. I have that, and I'm sure if I needed to contact WW they would help me with additional info. So I should be covered in that regard.
So far they have lived up to bad CS reputation. The guy was very short and condescending, and I pressed him for more information. He finally said to email the service email address with all my info, so I did, and I put all the paperwork I have plus pictures. He said I'll hear back today or tomorrow.
I'm taking gilmour's advice. I'm not letting this go without a fight.
It was almost over before it started.
I forgot to send in the warranty card.
HOWEVER. It states clear as day in the warranty Manuel that if the card is not on file the original sales invoice will suffice. I have that, and I'm sure if I needed to contact WW they would help me with additional info. So I should be covered in that regard.
So far they have lived up to bad CS reputation. The guy was very short and condescending, and I pressed him for more information. He finally said to email the service email address with all my info, so I did, and I put all the paperwork I have plus pictures. He said I'll hear back today or tomorrow.
I'm taking gilmour's advice. I'm not letting this go without a fight.
Verbatim from the owners manual:
'Should any warranty repairs be necessary, we must have your warranty card on file or you must supply the original sales slip showing the date of purchase, model and serial number.'
I got all that.
'Should any warranty repairs be necessary, we must have your warranty card on file or you must supply the original sales slip showing the date of purchase, model and serial number.'
I got all that.
He tried to stonewall me after that, but I did my homework and had all the paperwork and the quote directly from the owners manual.
Lame. Very disappointed to be hearing this ...
If it were any other company, social media would blow up over this. Can't believe RIC gets away with it. Glad you had your ducks in a row before calling.
In their defense, everything they have done thus far is within their right as a company to do. Morally ambiguous yes, but not blatantly wrong.
We'll see where this goes. If i am outright refused service it will be a different story entirely.
My brother's Goldtop Les Paul has a similar thing going on on the headstock. It's like the clear coat is bubbling up but the paint is staying down so it looks cloudy. It started around the logo and has gotten very large over the years. We always joke that at some point the bubble will break and the Gibson logo will fall out and get lost and everybody will assume it's not a real LP!
Has the bubble gotten any larger over time?
I purchased the bass in September of 2015, so it's outside of a returnable date.
Actually, when the Gibson logo falls out, it will reveal the Squier logo underneath.
)
That would drastically improve that guitar's internet credibility!
Actually, when the Gibson logo falls out, it will reveal the Squier logo underneath.
I've read many horror stories about this very issue, none of which were properly resolved.
Don't let this one go, hope it works out!
Don't let this one go, hope it works out!
You are correct, however any company that works in this manner and treats customers the way they do should, in theory, not last long. The fact that, with their reputation for shabby after-sales service, they still are able to sell as many instruments as they can make confounds me.
You must of talked to the same rude cs guy I spoke with a few years ago, no one in CS has talked down to me like that dude did. Made me decide never to deal direct with rick and return stuff.
I just got my 4003S last summer - mapleglo & I already knew about their not so durable finish but I dig the bass / had a 4001 in the 80s that I ended up selling / have had GAS for a RIC for a while now / was planning on getting a used 4004 & rehabbing until they brought back the "S" - got one & I'm good with it. Even if it would have had finish issues I prolly would have just sent it down to Marty Bell bypassing the famous RIC CS reps - seems like that would be a major PIA anyway + I'd get a more durable finish from MB.
The whole warranty card thing is such a crock of sh*t:
1. The finish warranty starts on date of manufacture, so date of sale is irrelevant to a finish related warranty claim.
2. With only the serial number in hand, they know the date of manufacture, and therefore they know you are still under warranty.
3. Your copy of the receipt from Wildwood establishes you bought the bass from an authorized dealer, and are therefore entitled to full warranty protection.
4. You have photographic evidence of the flaw developing over time.
5. Given items 1-4 as established fact, the possession of a warranty card is relevant because.......?
If they don't do right by you, every time I hear somebody claiming Ric CS problems are non existent or exaggerated, I'll just link to this thread and let them try to explain it away. If you can't get satisfaction on this, nobody will. Squeaky Wheel! Thorn in their Side! PITA!
1. The finish warranty starts on date of manufacture, so date of sale is irrelevant to a finish related warranty claim.
2. With only the serial number in hand, they know the date of manufacture, and therefore they know you are still under warranty.
3. Your copy of the receipt from Wildwood establishes you bought the bass from an authorized dealer, and are therefore entitled to full warranty protection.
4. You have photographic evidence of the flaw developing over time.
5. Given items 1-4 as established fact, the possession of a warranty card is relevant because.......?
If they don't do right by you, every time I hear somebody claiming Ric CS problems are non existent or exaggerated, I'll just link to this thread and let them try to explain it away. If you can't get satisfaction on this, nobody will. Squeaky Wheel! Thorn in their Side! PITA!
Not RIC bashing but this is one reason I love dealing with Lakland ... If there is a QC issue... It gets fixed... No questions and they usually pick up shipping ( at least one way) ... Especially if it's clearly " their issue "..
PS... Had an 89 RIC that I liked... And no issues at all with it...
PS... Had an 89 RIC that I liked... And no issues at all with it...
Sad to say, but Mapleglos can have their own issues. Plenty of older ones have "binding bleed", where something - the glue; or the binding off -gassing - something - makes the clear finish on the body edges turn cloudy. I've seen pictures of them where it's just a few small spots; and others... it's pretty bad. But like all Ricks; some have it, some don't. Will new MGs get binding bleed? Who knows...
Last edited:
