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SUPER CHEAP Chinese Rickenbacker... Worth Buying?

#162
I love my Chinese Rick!

Got it for an amazing price.

50f5389df13ce819e9ec524461c66055.jpg
 
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#163
Well, it seems the factories over there on one day might be contracted to build Epiphone Allen Woodys. If that same factory did one of the Gibson EB2 knockoffs or a set-neck Ric copy the next day, I imagine the build quality would be in the same ballpark. But there are probably tons of factories doing this, so I have no idea how you'd judge quality control - no one has to answer for the mistakes!
 
#168
hell ya john martin, that fake looks like a Dillion copy...lol

I think the whole idea from these whiner threads is not the body, not the fact that is is not real and will never sound like a real one, but the "made in usa" TR cover trying to make people believe it is a USA made Ric for 300 bucks.

if ALL the chinese fakes had nothing there, or something different like Dillion does, the 42 threads on this would be non existent.
 
#172
rick4001s said:
Hello fellow talkbass users

It would appear that my posting and review in the above link has been made inaccessible. As I result, I ask that members do not email me concerning info on these instruments. Thank you
Click to expand...

works fine for me. it links to the thread with your posts and review. thanks, by the way, for answering my question.

coincidentally enough, I played with a guy last week who had a les paul he bought off of trade tang. he paid a bit more for it ($600), but claims it's identical to the real thing except for the wood... and a glitch in the binding. It's slightly thicker at the headstock. But he loves it. He collects real les pauls too. The real one of this particular model he said cost him over $3000. I'd have never known the difference. I'm not sure how they get away with this. He also said it's a bit hit or miss, and that he found someone great he can deal with. He tells them what he wants, and they put it together for him.

I myself have lost interest in one of these. something feels too wrong about it to me. right now anyhow. :)
 
#173
Rickenbacker Factory Tour: Model 330 Guitar & Model Bass Construction - YouTube

Watching this video and seeing RIC's commitment to the quality of their guitars, keeping almost all US parts in the production, jobs there being handed down from grandfather, to father, to son, (not just the Halls), becoming environmentally clean in their production process; it's no wonder they are fierce in protecting the brand. God bless them for that.

60% of the production is export out of the US too. Wow.
 
#174
I just received mine today, not to bump an ages old thread but I figured I'd share some insight.

I paid 337 for it and shipping was fairly quick, its the 4003 clone in blueburst.

When I first opened it up I noticed the saddles on the bridge were set all the way down, making it impossible to play, I raised them a bit and it seems to be fine, it takes a bit to get used to because you have to make sure that its in the "sweet spot" i.e. not buzzing on the fretboard, but not buzzing against the pup cover.

Sound was fairly decent, and I know I'm going to get **** for this, but it honestly sounds better than my fender j-bass.- it sounds "similar" to a ric when switched to the neck pickup only but its not the real thing.

The quality is pretty alright. The neck seems to be bowing a bit but I cant tell if thats just actual bow or if its because the saddles on the bridge are so high, I haven't really messed with tweeking it too much, just playing it.

Honestly, if you're looking for something that looks and sounds similar to a ric, you cant go wrong. I ordered mine from a guy named "bjxlyymusic" and while he couldn't speak english worth a damn, he did make sure that everything was packed well.

Be weary though, if you go through EMS and live in the united states, it might end up going through chicago customs, which is apparently notorious for seizing this kind of stuff. Do it at your own risk, I got lucky I supose.

Really cant go wrong for the price, but with shipping and stuff, it is a gamble.


edit: I should also mention that the tuners are kind of bad, I'm going to be replacing those soon probably though.


Also I'd post pictures but the only pictures I have at the moment are low quality ones taken with my phone, and i've been up for about 30+ hours now so I'll try to take some new ones.

All in all like I said, its not bad, the tone is fairly decent, its comfortable. But you're taking a HUGE gamble with customs and stuff. If you have an extra 300 bucks lying around and want to take the plunge, I'd say go for it.
 
#177
just bought a chinese Rick through aliexpress, 310$...when I'll get it (if I get it..hahahahah ) I will post pictures and review...by the way before you buy it you can ask to send you the pictures of your future bass telling them to add in the picture something particular ( an object or something written down on a paper)so that you minimize the risk to order from an archive picture and actually receive a different bass.. I decided to take this risk when a friend of mine ordered them 6 guitars and all arrived according to the specifications he gave them..he is a liuther and he says that they were really good and cheap, arch top giutars which are more challenging to build.
 
#178
I came this close to buying one myself, really jonesed for a ric, had one 20 years ago (4001 burgundy, sadly the neck cracked beyond repair) but I swerved and got my current bass, a schecter stiletto custom 4. Point being is I chickened out mainly because of trust issues from ordering from china first and foremost, secondly if I want a ric, I want and expect the ric sound, nothing else will do. Maybe I'm too picky but for myself it just makes sense to go with what you trust, especially when ones hard earned is involved. At the end of the day I'm happy with what I've got and that's all that anyone could hope for. :)
 
#179
I have received the fake Rickenbacker a couple of months ago, I have to say that after a setup I am more than happy with the instrument. I have spent in total 350$ included custom fees, bass arrived pristine in the package, seller kept her word, everything luckily went fine. Here in The Netherlands a real Rickenbacker costs about 2000EUR, i paid the copy 1/10 of its price therefore I am happy with it.
I used Aliexpress which I believe is a honest website but then I decided to go on and shop by Dhgate for a Les Paul copy....big mistake!
the guitar was supposed to be "aged" but hardware is shining, guitar sent has different color front and especially back which is brown and not red/mahogany, trussrod not working properly which is a problem because needs setup as strings are totally flat on fretboard. Problems with seller as he did not keep his promises and even playing tricks just to avoid responsibilities. I will never buy from dave hewenping, i will never use dhgate anymore, as they were not supportive in the dispute with seller. After many emails they offered 40$ refund which does not cover at all the reparations necessary.
do not make my mistake, AVOID DAVE HEWENPING AND DHGATE
 
#180
Several years ago I picked up a les paul copy, from a guy on craigslist.
paid $200 for it, and it sounds pretty good. I did some research, and discovered that it is Czech in origin. tuners & knobs were cheap, but the pickups sounded really good, and it stays in tune. the binding is kinda cheap looking, but it is a good beater guitar to play at shows and looks really cool.
I was happy with my purchase.
 

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