Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
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- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
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That sounds absolutely diabolical! I would hope that this isn't some kind of underhanded deal like that!
No way to know of course. I have wondered why all of their stock is so old considering their size. You would think that they would move through their stock rather quickly based on that, but again, who knows right?
I am trying to remain positive through all this, which isn't easy. But considering that I am dead set on getting a 4003 in JetGlo with the red Bubinga fingerboard, MF's stock is now my only shot at achieving that goal, so I am willing to endure this a little bit longer if that will be the final outcome.
One thing is for certain...If this third bass arrives undamaged, it will take on an almost godlike distinction. A miracle bass! lol!
That sounds absolutely diabolical! I would hope that this isn't some kind of underhanded deal like that!
No way to know of course. I have wondered why all of their stock is so old considering their size. You would think that they would move through their stock rather quickly based on that, but again, who knows right?
I am trying to remain positive through all this, which isn't easy. But considering that I am dead set on getting a 4003 in JetGlo with the red Bubinga fingerboard, MF's stock is now my only shot at achieving that goal, so I am willing to endure this a little bit longer if that will be the final outcome.
One thing is for certain...If this third bass arrives undamaged, it will take on an almost godlike distinction. A miracle bass! lol!
This kind of thing is not uncommon in the MI industry, unfortunately. I wouldn't be surprised to find out if Zzounds did the same thing considering that I received 3/3 MG Ricks with neck and/or finish issues. Hmmmm
I seriously, SERIOUSLY doubt this. The damage to RIC's reputation is evident from this episode and others like it. I can't believe they would knowingly risk this. JH may have his detractors but he is not stupid.
Given the available evidence that this is a recurring problem, RIC ought to man up and offer compensation to anyone who bought these basses - warranty or no. It would gain them immediate returns in good will and in the long haul for taking the high road.
Really?
That's a pretty serious charge. I have posted some concrete criticisms of RIC products and not once have any of those criticisms been removed or edited by the mods. Now, other forum members have downplayed and minimized my posts, but that's a far cry from censorship.
JH will never admit to anything. He is too busy going after trademark infrigers.
Yes, huge fan of the product. For me, nothing else feels like or sounds as good as a Rickenbacker. The company, well that is a matter altogether.
GG7, oh, you joined the company site, posting negative things there may not go so well. Good luck with that there! The RRF is much more open. I also have never had any post edited at the RRF. I've met a lot of great people there that I consider friends and have no qualms with posting anything there..
TB on the whole is a good site but 95% of all the Rickenbacker threads all result in trollers bashing the brand or calling guys like me, fanboys. Way too many people throwing a grenade then running out of the room while they laugh their asses off for the carnage they create. This thread in particular. Some Fender club member bashing RIC for lack of QC when boxing the instruments up. This is the sort of stupid nonsense I speak of here on TB. This finish flaw was not there when the instrument was boxed up. This flaw took well over a year to rear its ugly head. The same moronic sh*t spreader type comments are the norm on Rickenbacker threads here. So much so that they don't bother me as much as they use to.
Sepp
I figured that one way or the other, those photos would get to the staff at the company and perhaps they will contact me about it.
It will be interesting to see if they allow my photos to go live. I figured since your thread on that other site wasn't getting much traction right now, it might be better to open this can of worms in Rickenbacker's own backyard instead!
If by bashing you mean posting photos of horribly finished guitars new out of a factory sealed box, then yes... You have come to the right place for the truth and not fanboy hero worship.
GG7, I wish you good luck on you thread over at the RIC company forum. At minimum, it should be interesting.
Once again, I love the product. Hell, I better, I do own 7 of them!!
Here is the rub, were not bitching about the tail piece design or the fact that RIC has protected their product and continued to enforce their patent protection. I have no issue with either one of those topics. I'm certainly not complaining about the price of a Rickenbacker nor will i ever attempt to compare the value of a Gibson or Fender instrument against a Rickenbacker. Those type debates are pointless and serve no one. The recent topic here on this thread is a defect in finish that certainly seems to manifest itself after the warranty expires, thus leaving those who purchased this instrument with peeling paint withing two years of the purchase. if that's a bash, then I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
Interesting, here I'm called a Rickenbacker fanboy and I'm probably not the most popular guy on the RIC forums. How can it be both?? Hmm, let me think about that for a moment.
Sepp
Once again, I love the product. Hell, I better, I do own 7 of them!!
Here is the rub, were not bitching about the tail piece design or the fact that RIC has protected their product and continued to enforce their patent protection. I have no issue with either one of those topics. I'm certainly not complaining about the price of a Rickenbacker nor will i ever attempt to compare the value of a Gibson or Fender instrument against a Rickenbacker. Those type debates are pointless and serve no one. The recent topic here on this thread is a defect in finish that certainly seems to manifest itself after the warranty expires, thus leaving those who purchased this instrument with peeling paint withing two years of the purchase. if that's a bash, then I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
Interesting, here I'm called a Rickenbacker fanboy and I'm probably not the most popular guy on the RIC forums. How can it be both?? Hmm, let me think about that for a moment.
Sepp
Thanks Sepp!
If anyone has a right to complain about RIC its you! You have given them a lot of praise, and you put your money where your mouth is with your 7 RIC guitar purchases!
You have been a BIG help to me and I appreciate it! Speaking of which...
MF UPDATE!!!
I just saw the photos of the third 4003 bass that MF picked out of their stock. I approved it for shipment just now. MF is sending it next day air. Everything looked perfect and the fretboard appeared to be Bubinga. Still had the rectangle sticker on it, so it is likely a 2011, but as of right now, it was undamaged and I saw that with my own eyes. They are going to double box this one with a lot of extra packing to help stave off any possible thermal effects.
I also talked to our UPS driver today and he told me that their planes are both climate controlled and presurized, so perhaps the quick trip from KS to CA will prevent this third bass from getting damaged.
They are also adjusting the price down again! I am not sure how much, but if this thing stays intact, I really can't complain. I can live with the threat of future cracking for a price like this!
Still... I am going to pursue some kind of resolution with Rickenbacker over this. Perhaps an extension of the finish warranty based on the events I have documented here.
As always...I will keep you guys posted. They were hoping to get the bass out the door today, but it was going to be close because of the second inspection and the photos, but I will know the delivery date later tonight and will update you guys.
Lets all keep our fingers crossed that this one makes it to me without self destructing enroute!
GG7,
You know I'll be crossing my fingers as well as my toes! Please keep us posted when it arrives.
Sepp
You know I'll be crossing my fingers as well as my toes! Please keep us posted when it arrives.
Sepp
Best of luck GG7. You deserve a good one for all your patience.
Looking forward to hearing about the guitar you receive from Wildwood.
Looking forward to hearing about the guitar you receive from Wildwood.
Thanks guys! Appreciate your support! 
The 360/12 just arrived but I am giving it some time to adjust to our internal temp here at the house before I open the box and the case. Will probably wait until tomorrow to check it out.
Just heard from Rickenbacker. They were VERY concerned by my report about the two damaged 4003s and asked for the high res versions of the photos along with serial numbers and any other details I could provide them which I just sent them, along with my email conversations with my MF supervisor.
I detected genuine concern and for all the hassle I have gone through. I didn't feel like they were blowing me off at all as of right now. I asked if they would extend the finish warranty on this third bass to delivery date instead of manufacture date. We shall see what their response is. I might be sending the second damaged bass down to them instead of back to MF. They will let me know about that soon they said.
The third bass just shipped out, but I don't have the delivery ETA yet. I assume it will be here tomorrow.
Will keep you posted!
The 360/12 just arrived but I am giving it some time to adjust to our internal temp here at the house before I open the box and the case. Will probably wait until tomorrow to check it out.
Just heard from Rickenbacker. They were VERY concerned by my report about the two damaged 4003s and asked for the high res versions of the photos along with serial numbers and any other details I could provide them which I just sent them, along with my email conversations with my MF supervisor.
I detected genuine concern and for all the hassle I have gone through. I didn't feel like they were blowing me off at all as of right now. I asked if they would extend the finish warranty on this third bass to delivery date instead of manufacture date. We shall see what their response is. I might be sending the second damaged bass down to them instead of back to MF. They will let me know about that soon they said.
The third bass just shipped out, but I don't have the delivery ETA yet. I assume it will be here tomorrow.
Will keep you posted!
GG7, that is great news, first that your bass is on its way to you and that RIC has taken an interest in the finish issues on both MF basses.
Please do keep us posted on both fronts.
Sepp
Please do keep us posted on both fronts.
Sepp
I hope it works out for you. Here's my tale with their customer service:
About 3 or 4 mos after I purchased my 4003 new from a dealer, the walnut areas on the headstock became cloudy. Wood finishers call this blushing, moisture still in the wood comes to the surface and gets trapped by the finish. I called Ric, it was still covered by the finish warranty, and discussed it. I emailed them photos as we spoke. I shipped it to CA on my dime. In a few weeks, they called to tell me it was ready. They had a tracking number for me for the journey home. It arrived a week later UNTOUCHED! I got on the phone, referenced the emailed pics again, and they told me to ship it back again. I asked who would cover the expense of that trip back. There was a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but they did not offer to give me a shippers number to pick up the freight. We then agreed that I would get a future credit in their parts boutique to make up for that second trip back to Ric. My 4003 was returned to me a second time, with the defect only partially repaired. Oh well.....
Later when I did order something at their parts boutique, I asked about my credit, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 or 30 bucks. They said they never do that, and the person who offered me the credit was no longer with the company. I told them that I felt they should honor that departed person's commitments, and they replied "Mr. Smith told a lot of people a lot of things....yada yada yada....." and I received no shipping reimbursement for that second trip back to Ric. So I spent roughly 60 bucks for a partially done warranty repair.
About 3 or 4 mos after I purchased my 4003 new from a dealer, the walnut areas on the headstock became cloudy. Wood finishers call this blushing, moisture still in the wood comes to the surface and gets trapped by the finish. I called Ric, it was still covered by the finish warranty, and discussed it. I emailed them photos as we spoke. I shipped it to CA on my dime. In a few weeks, they called to tell me it was ready. They had a tracking number for me for the journey home. It arrived a week later UNTOUCHED! I got on the phone, referenced the emailed pics again, and they told me to ship it back again. I asked who would cover the expense of that trip back. There was a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but they did not offer to give me a shippers number to pick up the freight. We then agreed that I would get a future credit in their parts boutique to make up for that second trip back to Ric. My 4003 was returned to me a second time, with the defect only partially repaired. Oh well.....
Later when I did order something at their parts boutique, I asked about my credit, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 or 30 bucks. They said they never do that, and the person who offered me the credit was no longer with the company. I told them that I felt they should honor that departed person's commitments, and they replied "Mr. Smith told a lot of people a lot of things....yada yada yada....." and I received no shipping reimbursement for that second trip back to Ric. So I spent roughly 60 bucks for a partially done warranty repair.
Thanks guys! Appreciate your support!
The 360/12 just arrived but I am giving it some time to adjust to our internal temp here at the house before I open the box and the case. Will probably wait until tomorrow to check it out.
Just heard from Rickenbacker. They were VERY concerned by my report about the two damaged 4003s and asked for the high res versions of the photos along with serial numbers and any other details I could provide them which I just sent them, along with my email conversations with my MF supervisor.
I detected genuine concern and for all the hassle I have gone through. I didn't feel like they were blowing me off at all as of right now. I asked if they would extend the finish warranty on this third bass to delivery date instead of manufacture date. We shall see what their response is. I might be sending the second damaged bass down to them instead of back to MF. They will let me know about that soon they said.
The third bass just shipped out, but I don't have the delivery ETA yet. I assume it will be here tomorrow.
Will keep you posted!
This is great news. Good luck!
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