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 Rant
- Thread starter Right_Butterscotch64
- Start date
I tried one of my friends' Rick 4003 and ran into very similar issues. Mostly intonation/wiring problems.
It sucks because, like a lot of you mentioned, they are one of those "dream basses" for a lot of us. Ever since I saw Al Cisneros from "Sleep" with one, I was hooked on the look and sound.
I guess if I ever come into that amount of money, and know that I have the time/patience to take a gamble on it, I probably will. But that QC seems to leave a lot to be desired.
It sucks because, like a lot of you mentioned, they are one of those "dream basses" for a lot of us. Ever since I saw Al Cisneros from "Sleep" with one, I was hooked on the look and sound.
I guess if I ever come into that amount of money, and know that I have the time/patience to take a gamble on it, I probably will. But that QC seems to leave a lot to be desired.
Wonder if they just aren't compensating folks adequately and/or have terrible working conditions there.
TBH a lot of the problems folks mention could easily be attributed to a systemic, company wide, morale issue. Bad QC, bad communication, bad service reps......those are all generally symptoms of morale issues.
It's possible I'm confusing the chicken and the egg here, metaphorically speaking, but that would make sense.
I don't know why people suggest that it's impossible to get Rick parts. I suppose if it is a part that is no longer made, yeah, but current stuff can be ordered through Rick dealers or available online here:
http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/
To suggest inadequate compensation or terrible working conditions is a poor guess. However, I'm not sure that RIC has a "sales force" as such since there's little need for increasing sales. They're already behind fulfilling orders a bit (it's gotten better in the last few years). They are working at capacity and don't see the need to expand. I'm no expert, but I see a company that pays its employees well and runs a clean shop. Being privately owned, there may not be opportunities for advancement to the highest levels, but that's typical of many small manufacturers.
http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/
To suggest inadequate compensation or terrible working conditions is a poor guess. However, I'm not sure that RIC has a "sales force" as such since there's little need for increasing sales. They're already behind fulfilling orders a bit (it's gotten better in the last few years). They are working at capacity and don't see the need to expand. I'm no expert, but I see a company that pays its employees well and runs a clean shop. Being privately owned, there may not be opportunities for advancement to the highest levels, but that's typical of many small manufacturers.
I ordered mine from Dave's Guitar Shop. The price was excellent and it arrived in tip top shape. Intonation was perfect. And still is. I am very happy.
My main and gigging bass is a 2013 4003.
I've owned a good number before (4003/4004/4001), and can echo the sentiment of many of the above posts. The QC can suck very often indeed!
I've had issues with electrics, paint, rusty and pitted chrome (on a box-fresh bass), and numerous other issues. I swore after the last problem bass, that was it.
Played a Precision for a while, but it just wasn't me. So I found another, and swore I'd just keep it whatever, and make it how I want.
It came through pretty good - none of the previous issues. Removed the pup cover and installed a bezel, also dumped the factory bridge for a Hipshot. Full set-up by my regular luthier, and hey presto - it's a good as it can be. It does still suffer with a few dead spots, and lower frets can still buzz a bit, but I can live with that. It's a far more playable bass that it was when I bought it. It's got 'the tone' in excess, and sounds great for it.
Are they worth the money they charge (especially in the UK) - compared to their rivals - I don't think so. Aloof and arrogant company, reputation for shoddy QC....but what a product. There's only one, and they ain't gonna change.
My analogy is always like Charlie Brown kicking the football before the girl moves away and he ends up on his back. Every time he thinks 'surely not again...'! I guess that's like buying a Ric....except every so often, you get a kick!
I've owned a good number before (4003/4004/4001), and can echo the sentiment of many of the above posts. The QC can suck very often indeed!
I've had issues with electrics, paint, rusty and pitted chrome (on a box-fresh bass), and numerous other issues. I swore after the last problem bass, that was it.
Played a Precision for a while, but it just wasn't me. So I found another, and swore I'd just keep it whatever, and make it how I want.
It came through pretty good - none of the previous issues. Removed the pup cover and installed a bezel, also dumped the factory bridge for a Hipshot. Full set-up by my regular luthier, and hey presto - it's a good as it can be. It does still suffer with a few dead spots, and lower frets can still buzz a bit, but I can live with that. It's a far more playable bass that it was when I bought it. It's got 'the tone' in excess, and sounds great for it.
Are they worth the money they charge (especially in the UK) - compared to their rivals - I don't think so. Aloof and arrogant company, reputation for shoddy QC....but what a product. There's only one, and they ain't gonna change.
My analogy is always like Charlie Brown kicking the football before the girl moves away and he ends up on his back. Every time he thinks 'surely not again...'! I guess that's like buying a Ric....except every so often, you get a kick!
My 4001 is coming up on 37 years old. Bought it new and had nary a problem. Has always played beautifully but adjusting intonation was difficult. Now that the frets are worn to poopie I'm afraid to have it worked on because there doesn't seem to be many competent luthiers anymore that I'd trust to do the work. Now it has become a wall hanging until i either learn to do the fretwork myself or stumble upon a qualified person local to SW Florida.
I'm a Ric lover, but I'll readily admit they have QC issues. Because they are so inconsistent, every Ric is different. I've played new Rics in a store that would need a hell of a lot of work, from trimming down the nut to bridge issues, paint issues, etc. I've also played some new Rics in a store that were absolutely perfect in every way. You just have to play before you buy, and know what might need to be fixed or changed. Sometimes nothing needs to be changed.
I used to be a real cheerleader until I started to read of all these issues. And I did have a warranty issue that cost me quite a bit of coin. The 4003 I bought from a dealer developed some blush under the finish on the walnut wings on the headstock nine mos after I bought it. I call Ric customer service, emailed pics of the areas where the finish was failing, and they told me to send it in as it was still under warranty. I sent it to Ric at my expense. I got a call from Ric three weeks later telling me my 4003 was ready to be returned to me, and it was returned to me untouched. I called them back, sent the pics again, and complained that I would be paying for shipping to them at my expense twice. They told me that was too bad, and would not help me out with free shipping by having to ship it back again. I was persistent, and I was eventually told they'd make it up to me in the form of a credit in their parts boutique for future purchases. The finish issue was eventually fixed only to a so/so degree. Then when I wanted to buy some accessories at the boutique on a later date, there was no credit waiting for me. I was told that the original customer rep I dealt with was no longer with the company and had spoken out of turn. That's my experience with Ric customer service. Poor.
There are several models of quality control/customer service/management philosophies available today, but Ric doesn't subscribe to any of the commonly accepted schools of management. They just doesn't see the value in hiring an MBA at $150,000 year. They could certainly hire an outside consultant, but of all the privately held companies I have done business with, it's very hard for business owners to give up control and look at things differently. But things may have to change soon. Ric recently set up Guitar Center as a dealer again which tells me the backlog has shrunk significantly to the point where Ric had to look for a large volume buyer to fill in the gap. And if GC starts having to take returns of a large enough number of Rics with QC issues, they'll certainly have the clout to demand improvement.
There are several models of quality control/customer service/management philosophies available today, but Ric doesn't subscribe to any of the commonly accepted schools of management. They just doesn't see the value in hiring an MBA at $150,000 year. They could certainly hire an outside consultant, but of all the privately held companies I have done business with, it's very hard for business owners to give up control and look at things differently. But things may have to change soon. Ric recently set up Guitar Center as a dealer again which tells me the backlog has shrunk significantly to the point where Ric had to look for a large volume buyer to fill in the gap. And if GC starts having to take returns of a large enough number of Rics with QC issues, they'll certainly have the clout to demand improvement.
Few things from your local bass dealer...
* The switch - 99% of them go bad for this simple reason.. There was wire strands in the cavity. Give the toggle a squirt of electronics cleaner and use a soft tooth brush. It works almost every time
* The nut - Of the ones I've seen, theyre cut too high, rarely too low. Most mass produced items will have a cut a little high because the final set up (to buyers taste) is done at the retailer. Its easier to go lower than higher
* The wrench - Ricks used to have the wrench. As dealers we would remove them but supply them if asked. More Ricks get wrecked by ham handed 16 year olds than any other bass. The rods are tricky
BUT at the end of the day, all good retailers set up the basses to perfection and do the final QA before its sent or hits the floor. All my boutique competitors do this. For the most part we may be a few bucks more but we try to make up for it with service. Back in the 70s basses used to come in with the necks heavily bowed on purpose and the dealers set them up. This stopped because I cant tell you how many dealers would just either put the stuff on the floor or not do a proper set up to them.
Anyway, rarely do Ricks break after being in service. IMHO, it goes on the dealer...
* The switch - 99% of them go bad for this simple reason.. There was wire strands in the cavity. Give the toggle a squirt of electronics cleaner and use a soft tooth brush. It works almost every time
* The nut - Of the ones I've seen, theyre cut too high, rarely too low. Most mass produced items will have a cut a little high because the final set up (to buyers taste) is done at the retailer. Its easier to go lower than higher
* The wrench - Ricks used to have the wrench. As dealers we would remove them but supply them if asked. More Ricks get wrecked by ham handed 16 year olds than any other bass. The rods are tricky
BUT at the end of the day, all good retailers set up the basses to perfection and do the final QA before its sent or hits the floor. All my boutique competitors do this. For the most part we may be a few bucks more but we try to make up for it with service. Back in the 70s basses used to come in with the necks heavily bowed on purpose and the dealers set them up. This stopped because I cant tell you how many dealers would just either put the stuff on the floor or not do a proper set up to them.
Anyway, rarely do Ricks break after being in service. IMHO, it goes on the dealer...
Hopkins
Commercial User
Complaining about a brand because your bass has a simple set up issue strikes me as odd. New basses always (as they should) have the nuts cut slightly higher than optimal. Adjust action at the nut according to the taste of the owner is part of the initial set up. Same with truss rod and intonation. A busted switch isn't something that I consider a QC issue either, as it is something that could easily be damaged in shipping.
As far as the truss rod tool, I do believe they should include it with the bass, especially since they insist on using dual truss rods with hex nuts so close together. The only real problem I have with Ricks is the idiotic truss rod system they use. There is no reason for them to still be using that system, they should have switched to a single, modern dual acting truss rod a long time ago.
As far as the truss rod tool, I do believe they should include it with the bass, especially since they insist on using dual truss rods with hex nuts so close together. The only real problem I have with Ricks is the idiotic truss rod system they use. There is no reason for them to still be using that system, they should have switched to a single, modern dual acting truss rod a long time ago.
They use two modern truss rods that allow better tweaking than a single one. They are nothing like adjusting the old rods, and they adjust the same way as any other bass.
As a matter of fact, having one on each side of the neck allows you to even counteract a twisting problem should one arise.
My 4003 is of the baseball bat neck variety and is very stable, even in humid central Florida.
Hopkins
Commercial User
I stand corrected, I thought they were still using the old truss rods that required you to bend the neck manually before tightening them. The two truss system is totally unnecessary on a 4 string bass however, but since they are using it, they should at very least use a nut that takes a hex wrench instead of using a hex nut.
It would take a very long(and harder to find) hex wrench than a pretty standard long-reach nutdriver if that were the case. But I agree it would be cool to include a tool.
"I stand corrected, I thought they were still using the old truss rods that required you to bend the neck manually before tightening them."
Don't feel bad, Hopkins. You're only 28 years behind on your info.
RIC switched over to the "modern" rods by 1986. Aside from a few experimentals, RIC has always used dual rods on the basses, and even with the old style "hairpin" rods, the dual system has worked fine. It's the users and untrained techs who usually bugger things up with the old rods.
Don't feel bad, Hopkins. You're only 28 years behind on your info.
RIC switched over to the "modern" rods by 1986. Aside from a few experimentals, RIC has always used dual rods on the basses, and even with the old style "hairpin" rods, the dual system has worked fine. It's the users and untrained techs who usually bugger things up with the old rods.
I guess you never heard of Porsche. And there's quite a few people that work on their own Rics and find it rewarding. Ric5 on here is a great example.
And I've setup my bass exactly how I want it without much trouble. But I have a feeling I'm responding to a troll post.
Last edited:
Nope, not meant as a troll post. Simply saying that based on what we have here in this thread as well as many others on the same topic, they are difficult (apparently) to manufacture consistently and when the buyer does get them, they really aren't the easiest bass to set up.
Honestly, I would love to have what many have, a functioning RIC that doesn't require ongoing maintenance. I've not been that lucky.
Fishheadjoe
Honestly, I would love to have what many have, a functioning RIC that doesn't require ongoing maintenance. I've not been that lucky.
Fishheadjoe
It's cool, man
Guess I should hold onto my '03 then. I rarely have to adjust the neck and it's been very reliable for the last 10 years.
Guess I should hold onto my '03 then. I rarely have to adjust the neck and it's been very reliable for the last 10 years.
I never even work on mine. I'm so afraid that I'm gonna screw it up so I just take it to a tech
