Ady Babiuk's photos looked great from the show. Nice FG, which is what I ordered since I am out of FG at the moment.
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WHAT??? Rickenbacker 4003S!?
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Tom,
If it comes out of the case looking all mustardy, ketchupy, or resembling some other condiment, I know you won't want to keep it. I can help you out with that.
If it comes out of the case looking all mustardy, ketchupy, or resembling some other condiment, I know you won't want to keep it. I can help you out with that.
Chances are it won't be as Spaghettio-Glo as the pics suggest...but I don't know if I would have purchased a demo bass that 100's of people have handled. I probably would have waited to actually see some show up for sale online in order to assess the actual color and grain characteristics of the wood (as I did with my Bluebursts and 4003W). That way, you're sure you're getting the color and grain that you want as Rickenbackers can vary widely. Some Ricks have AMAZING grain...but alot (including their demo basses) are usually plain for some reason (the walnut ones notwithstanding). They could really choose some amazing basses to bring to shows but for some reason they take run-of-the-mill ones. Some of the fretboards have been astounding, but some are also waaaaaay too poop brown, and that doesn't quite look right on a Rick.
I don't think Rick really cares to bring prime examples of their instruments to NAMM. They seem to enjoy thumbing their nose at people who demand better quality control and actually are proud to offer and display products that have quality issues JUST to show people that what they make is what you're gonna get. I know this from experience; my green 4001C64 was to be a "show bass" and it had flaws (described in this thread). Flaws that shouldn't have made it out of the factory but did. Rickenbacker's attitude seems to be "if it's flawed, that's too damn bad...this is how we make 'em."
I still love 'em...but sheesh!
*** This post was in response to a post that has since been deleted.***
Well, it sure doesn't look like ASS...but truthfully it looks like it has some issues, and as such I would have passed. The bridge pickup looks crooked, and the neck pickup looks off-center in relation to the neck and strings; the strings by the way look off center compared to the neck; the G string is much closer to the edge than the E string. These are common current Rickenbacker issues; the tailpieces are not usually installed straight and true. On that bass in the pic above, I can't tell if the tailpiece is off, but everything else is, to a certain degree.
I would vote with confidence if Rickenbacker gave me some recent examples to base that confidence on.
I don't mean to be rude, but if things such as the above issues don't bother you then by all means enjoy your bass...if you can't see those issues (or choose to not notice them), then that's all the better for you (and for Rickenbacker).
Well, it sure doesn't look like ASS...but truthfully it looks like it has some issues, and as such I would have passed. The bridge pickup looks crooked, and the neck pickup looks off-center in relation to the neck and strings; the strings by the way look off center compared to the neck; the G string is much closer to the edge than the E string. These are common current Rickenbacker issues; the tailpieces are not usually installed straight and true. On that bass in the pic above, I can't tell if the tailpiece is off, but everything else is, to a certain degree.
I would vote with confidence if Rickenbacker gave me some recent examples to base that confidence on.
I don't mean to be rude, but if things such as the above issues don't bother you then by all means enjoy your bass...if you can't see those issues (or choose to not notice them), then that's all the better for you (and for Rickenbacker).
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They real Azureglo of old is beautiful. I have a 1986 lefty 4003 Azureglo with black trim and hardware (currently lent to my lefty brother) that has an amazing small neck. The workmanship is honestly better nowadays with Rickenbacker, but I'd buy a reissue Azureglo if it was done right (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha).
What would you consider done right? If they're willing to do special orders, maybe we can make it happen?
I mean done right as in the finish not lifting around the bridge, finished properly around the neck/body joints, and the parts centered and installed true and straight (bridge, pickups, pickguard, etc.) It's not much to ask, but it's a monumental mountain to overcome for Rickenbacker of late.
That's why I own 28 of them. I love them, but I don't make excuses for them when they f up very easy things to correct like screwing a tailpiece on straight.
***This post was again in response to another post that has since been deleted.***
I'm not going to grandstand and praise a bass that clearly has quality issues; everyone that has seen the pic above of your bass can see how off the pickguard, neck pickup, bridge pickup, and strings are in relation to each other and the neck. If you STILL bought it, seeing those flaws (or choosing to NOT see them) then don't get all upset about it. Again, I addressed issues on this forum with that bass in the pic WEEKS ago, before you bought it, so don't give me this "interpersonal relationship" BS. You bought the bass, you are obviously happy with your purchase, so I'm happy for you.
But, when people blindly accept what Rickenbacker puts out and doesn't call them on their questionable quality, that makes Rickenbacker all the less likely to take an extra 5 minutes to install stuff straight.
I'm not going to grandstand and praise a bass that clearly has quality issues; everyone that has seen the pic above of your bass can see how off the pickguard, neck pickup, bridge pickup, and strings are in relation to each other and the neck. If you STILL bought it, seeing those flaws (or choosing to NOT see them) then don't get all upset about it. Again, I addressed issues on this forum with that bass in the pic WEEKS ago, before you bought it, so don't give me this "interpersonal relationship" BS. You bought the bass, you are obviously happy with your purchase, so I'm happy for you.
But, when people blindly accept what Rickenbacker puts out and doesn't call them on their questionable quality, that makes Rickenbacker all the less likely to take an extra 5 minutes to install stuff straight.
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The reality is that most people just want to enjoy their Ricks and don't need you telling them you hope their instrument doesn't have a lousy finish or any other alleged "flaw". It's just bad behavior that most people avoid.
Now let's talk about flaws for a moment.
It is painfully obvious that you are hyper sensitive to alleged "flaws" when it comes to Ricks. You see these "flaws" where the typical person doesn't and even if they did, they wouldn't care. I have the bass in my hands and the only thing even remotely notable is that the bridge pickup is a bit slanted and that most likely happened when Chris a PotR removed the bridge cover before shipping. This detail isn't visible in any of the pictures from NAMM.
I've owned plenty of Ricks including a 4001, a few 4003, a couple of 4004Ls and except for the 4001, all bought new. In every instance, the instruments were free from any flaws that anybody would consider significant enough to return the instrument.
The really sad part in this is that I'm not hesitant to post any pictures or a review because I know you're not going to be able to resist making snotty comments about it. But I will because I know other people have a genuine interest in hearing about and seeing the bass.
Ya'll have a good day, now, hear?
Well said Mr Gallo - the UK bass forum basschat also has it's fair share of members who gas on about Rickenbacker flaws whenever there's a thread about them. WE ALL KNOW that some Rickenbackers are variable in quality. Some are good, some are bad. Everybody knows. So to clutter a thread with repetitive comments about misaligned pickups, finish issues etc etc etc is extremely boring and gets in the way of the thread. I am interested in the 4003s and am looking forward to your review!
If the crooked bridge pickup "isn't visible in any of the pictures from NAMM" (lol) then how did I point out that EXACT flaw (that the bridge pickup was crooked) from the NAMM pictures? Apparently it WAS visible, as I (and several others who PM'd me) can plainly see. Apparently you couldn't see it until it was in your hands. But, everyone else plainly could from the pictures from NAMM.
Chris didn't make the pickup crooked (lol); it was like that when Rickenbacker built it. Don't try to blame Chris for Rickenbacker's carelessness. It takes an extra minute or two to drill holes in the right place. How DARE someone who spends over a thousand dollars be "hypersensitive to alleged flaws."
By the way, the flaws aren't "alleged" if they actually exist. The bridge pickup on your bass was installed crooked, as was the pickguard and neck pickup in relation to the neck; most probably the tailpiece as well as evidenced by the stings not being centered down the neck. Line up the neck pickup with the frets...the pickup is not parallel to the frets. Look at the neck dots in relation to the stings...waaaaay off. The G string is much closer to the edge of the neck than the E string. This is basic stuff here that even the cheapest 3rd world instruments get right. Those are not "alleged" flaws, those ARE flaws. Big ones. Ones that could have been eliminated by just a few MINUTES with a ruler before drilling a bunch of holes in the wrong places.
It's too bad some people give their money so blindly to Rickenbacker and disregard such careless workmanship...then they have the nerve to state: "You see these 'flaws' where the typical person doesn't and even if they did, they wouldn't care." Hey, if YOU don't care that Rickenbacker didn't care enough to screw the parts on straight, more power to you. But to state that OTHERS don't care about the quality of assembly of an instrument is highly ignorant and ridiculous. Not all Rickenbacker fans (like myself) are Rickenbacker fanboys. There is a difference...a distinct one.
And people wonder why Rickenbacker couldn't care less to improve the quality of workmanship and attention to assembly detail on their instruments...
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Incredible. Not only are you incredibly annoying, but most of my point went swooshing over your head. The best part is even if you were 100% correct, you would still be annoying. Spend less time being annoying and work on those social skills, champ.
Your ego driven desire to be right is pretty amusing, though. There are people around where who's opinions should be respected. Unfortunately, for you, you are not one of those people.
"It's too bad some people give their money so blindly to Rickenbacker and disregard such careless workmanship.."
What's too bad is that you have such a lousy personality. Because you could contribute in ways that people wouldn't get annoyed, but you are clearly incapable of even understanding what that means, much less actually do something about it.
Here's what I think of when I read one of your posts.
Mr. Potatohead!! Mr. Potatohead!!
Your ego driven desire to be right is pretty amusing, though. There are people around where who's opinions should be respected. Unfortunately, for you, you are not one of those people.
"It's too bad some people give their money so blindly to Rickenbacker and disregard such careless workmanship.."
What's too bad is that you have such a lousy personality. Because you could contribute in ways that people wouldn't get annoyed, but you are clearly incapable of even understanding what that means, much less actually do something about it.
Here's what I think of when I read one of your posts.
Mr. Potatohead!! Mr. Potatohead!!
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Hey can we all get along here and get back to talking about how it would be nice if Rickenbacker would reissue Azureglo finish on the 4003S!!!!
I think you've made your point about ric instruments/corporation more than clear in your previous posts throughout this thread, now it seems like you are deliberately trying to s##t on somebody's new bass experience. way to go.
I find the "ignore" button makes for stress-free posting, might I suggest both aggravated parties employ it? If the thread continues to devolve, the moderators will probably shut it down, and we won't get to hear the review!
+1
Should we start a new thread and see if there's enough interest to get a special order going?
