Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
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WHAT??? Rickenbacker 4003S!?
- Thread starter PubliclyViewable
- Start date
I've been coveting that contoured design for some time. When I first saw this thread, I already decided I will get a Mapleglo. However, I agree it would also be great if they brought back the checkerboard binding. After reading some of the QC issues mentioned here of late, I have some reservations and am surprised at their reportedly poor customer service practices. I have a 1980 4003 and prior to that a 1977 4001, both bought new. I can tell you there were no issues with those. I'm now more interested in getting that 4004cii5 Ric5 showed us. God help me, I may sell my 2 vintage guitars and my MIA Jazz BASS to buy one of those!
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I wouldn't doubt it. Rickenbacker does some really inexplicable things they'd never get away with if they weren't Rickenbacker. In speaking to dealers, the consensus seems to be that Rickenbacker is a major PITA to deal with.
RIC Pricelist:
Bass Guitars
(Price includes free standard case)
4003 Bound body and neck, full inlay, wired for stereo
2159
4003W Bound body and neck, Walnut body, Maple fingerboard, full inlay, wired for stereo
2159
4003S Like 4003 but with unbound body and neck, dot inlays, mono output 1899
4003SW Like 4003W but with unbound body and neck, dot inlays, mono output 1899
4004Cii "Cheyenne II", super contoured Maple and Walnut body
, Bubinga fingerboard, gold parts, translucent
colors
2729
4004L "Laredo", super contoured hardwood body,
Bubinga fingerboard, chrome parts
2459
Bass Guitars
(Price includes free standard case)
4003 Bound body and neck, full inlay, wired for stereo
2159
4003W Bound body and neck, Walnut body, Maple fingerboard, full inlay, wired for stereo
2159
4003S Like 4003 but with unbound body and neck, dot inlays, mono output 1899
4003SW Like 4003W but with unbound body and neck, dot inlays, mono output 1899
4004Cii "Cheyenne II", super contoured Maple and Walnut body
, Bubinga fingerboard, gold parts, translucent
colors
2729
4004L "Laredo", super contoured hardwood body,
Bubinga fingerboard, chrome parts
2459
Attachments
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I just called Dave's in La Crosse, WI. As one of the largest dealers in Rickenbacker guitars and basses, even their specialist had absolutely no idea of the model rollout... He called back an hour later:
-Standard colors
-No customization WHATSOEVER. As if we didn't already anticipate that... but I had to ask for a fretless
-$1359+tax!
Price-wise competitive with Fender American... a first in 20 years?
-Standard colors
-No customization WHATSOEVER. As if we didn't already anticipate that... but I had to ask for a fretless
-$1359+tax!
Price-wise competitive with Fender American... a first in 20 years?
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Looks like I'll be buying one!
...but, of course, if you're worried about QC, Jeff; you can always have your old v63 back... for less than you sold it for!!!
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/rickenbacker-4001v63-fireglo-2399-65-shipping.1120360/#post-16848657
...that said...yes, I also find this somewhat depressing...
I'm starting to think the same thing... I imagine my v63 will be a tougher sell, now. But, hey... if they botch the QC on these new instruments, our v63's are going to look that much better!!!
I guess it may be time to pull my classifieds advert.
I wouldn't want to rip you off...you can always have your old v63 back... for less than you sold it for!!!
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/rickenbacker-4001v63-fireglo-2399-65-shipping.1120360/#post-16848657
, really ; the V63 is very much worth what you are asking, it is a V series instrument, after all.
I wouldn't want to rip you off
Hell, Jeff... that's mighty fine of you; but, I wouldn't feel like you were ripping me off... anytime you wanna make me an offer, go ahead and make it... she'll be here waiting for you.
I'm sad to say, I don't even play her anymore; because I want the bass to be in the best shape it can be when a buyer finally does come along.
Sadly, we're pretty strapped... and, unfortunately, this is no "seller's market." Seems like RIC's 4003s may even make it harder for me to sell...
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Same thoughts here. I also have a '76 4001. I modified mine in the early 80's, which I now regret as it doesn't sound like a stock Rick.
I was stoked to see they brought the S model back, and I've entertained the thought of ordering one, but the pictures of the QC problems have changed my mind.
Welp, for less than $1400, I'm in. The only reason I never picked up a 4003 was because of the binding, I've been looking for a long while for a 4001v63, but could never get the cash together. Throw in a Horsehoe and toaster for a couple extra hundred, and I'll be good to go.
Now...Ruby or Mapleglo...
Now...Ruby or Mapleglo...
I'm pretty excited to see one(4003s) myself...I don't approve of JH's business practices either but, I'll wait and see how these new(old) models are when they hit the stores. I have owned my fair share of Ric's over the years and currently own two. I totally regret selling the others which included a 4008(yes a 4008 and not a 4003s8) and a fretless 4001..Fortunately I never had a bad one and I'm fortunate enough to have a good local dealer where I live..the instruments are inspected and given a basic set up before going on the floor and they have all been very good..so I will wait and see..
From the pic, it looks like it has the same newer, slimmed down horns as the current 4003 body. My '93 4003S has the chunky horns which I think look really cool.
Nothing wrong with the stock pups. My 'stock 09 4003 growls just fine. The Horseshoe sounds quite different than the stock Hi-Gain however. On my '93 4003S, I put in a RIHS, a Toaster, and the push/pull with the .047 cap. Aesthetically, it is tops! But the RIHS is over 12k and the Toaster is 7.4k. They do not balance well without a lot of messing around with the pots. I primarily use this with the cap in, and it balances much better with both vol pots on full. I guess that's the way it is supposed to be from a vintage perspective
Nothing wrong with the stock pups. My 'stock 09 4003 growls just fine. The Horseshoe sounds quite different than the stock Hi-Gain however. On my '93 4003S, I put in a RIHS, a Toaster, and the push/pull with the .047 cap. Aesthetically, it is tops! But the RIHS is over 12k and the Toaster is 7.4k. They do not balance well without a lot of messing around with the pots. I primarily use this with the cap in, and it balances much better with both vol pots on full. I guess that's the way it is supposed to be from a vintage perspective
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Make sure you check around the tailpiece before you accept it for paint bubbles/cracks (i.e., finish lifting). The last 3 Jetglos that I have had did this. A Fireglo I purchased at the same time has never had any problems with finish lift, FWIW.
Rickenbacker usually files down the edges of the bottom of the tailpieces in an effort to try to stop this. On the bass in my avatar (the first of the 5 "special green" 4001C64 basses from a few years ago subsequently repainted by Rickenbacker in "sea green" as they told me they had no more "special green" paint after they repainted it the first time), Rickenbacker actually not only filed down the bottom edges of the bridge but also used masking tape (really, not joking) as a "gasket" (their term, written on the repair receipt) on the bottom edges (and of course lapping over the sides somewhat) of the bridge in an effort to keep the finish from cracking and lifting. The bass was painted 3 times by Rickenbacker until it finally wasn't lifting at the bridge. But, I haven't seen the bass in a few months (it's been in its case) so who knows what I may find. I'm guessing it's most probably going to lift at some point if it hasn't already. But, seeing a masking tape "gasket" (which was falling off upon receipt after the 2nd repaint) on a nearly $4000 purchase was disheartening to say the least. When I inquired about it (I believe I asked, "What the hell is this??!!!?!?" or words to that effect), my inquiry wasn't addressed. The final time I got the bass back, the masking tape basket was applied MUCH better, but it was still there. I left it there as this bass was a huge headache and a sh*tload of money and I don't want the finish to lift; who knows if the masking tape gasket will help with that.
It all turned out OK as I always wanted one of the rare "sea green" V63 basses; it's my favorite Rick color, and I LOVE the reverse headstock of the C64. I actually would have preferred sea green from the beginning. But, since Rick couldn't duplicate the original "special green" color that I had spent so much for, they agreed to provide me with a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the bass as a 1-of-1 due to the color change. However, once I got the bass back, Rickenbacker flat-out refused to honor what they said they would do (i.e., they denied to issue a COA). Upon repeated requests, they also refused to provide any written documentation of the factory color change; they stated the documentation is on the repair receipt, which just states that the bass was "refinished" with no mention of color. The only documentation I have of the color change by the factory is the "SFG" for "sea foam green" written on the shipping box I received the bass in after the last repaint vs the "SG" for "special green" written on the original shipping box, which I also still have.
Still one of my neatest Ricks, however...
Rickenbacker usually files down the edges of the bottom of the tailpieces in an effort to try to stop this. On the bass in my avatar (the first of the 5 "special green" 4001C64 basses from a few years ago subsequently repainted by Rickenbacker in "sea green" as they told me they had no more "special green" paint after they repainted it the first time), Rickenbacker actually not only filed down the bottom edges of the bridge but also used masking tape (really, not joking) as a "gasket" (their term, written on the repair receipt) on the bottom edges (and of course lapping over the sides somewhat) of the bridge in an effort to keep the finish from cracking and lifting. The bass was painted 3 times by Rickenbacker until it finally wasn't lifting at the bridge. But, I haven't seen the bass in a few months (it's been in its case) so who knows what I may find. I'm guessing it's most probably going to lift at some point if it hasn't already. But, seeing a masking tape "gasket" (which was falling off upon receipt after the 2nd repaint) on a nearly $4000 purchase was disheartening to say the least. When I inquired about it (I believe I asked, "What the hell is this??!!!?!?" or words to that effect), my inquiry wasn't addressed. The final time I got the bass back, the masking tape basket was applied MUCH better, but it was still there. I left it there as this bass was a huge headache and a sh*tload of money and I don't want the finish to lift; who knows if the masking tape gasket will help with that.
It all turned out OK as I always wanted one of the rare "sea green" V63 basses; it's my favorite Rick color, and I LOVE the reverse headstock of the C64. I actually would have preferred sea green from the beginning. But, since Rick couldn't duplicate the original "special green" color that I had spent so much for, they agreed to provide me with a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the bass as a 1-of-1 due to the color change. However, once I got the bass back, Rickenbacker flat-out refused to honor what they said they would do (i.e., they denied to issue a COA). Upon repeated requests, they also refused to provide any written documentation of the factory color change; they stated the documentation is on the repair receipt, which just states that the bass was "refinished" with no mention of color. The only documentation I have of the color change by the factory is the "SFG" for "sea foam green" written on the shipping box I received the bass in after the last repaint vs the "SG" for "special green" written on the original shipping box, which I also still have.
Still one of my neatest Ricks, however...
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Many people have had similar experiences with Ric customer service. I had to send my bass in twice to get a problem addressed that still wasn't done properly. I just couldn't afford to keep shipping it back. I was also promised things that did not materialize. JH is totally blind to those problems. I'm serious. He has some sort of mindset or character defect that makes it impossible for him to recognize or acknowledge those issues. I really wish someone would approach him at NAMM and ask him 'what gives'?
Probably the best walk away from all this is to never accept a bass from a dealer that is not 100% perfect. Inspect the bejeebers out of it, we all know where the problem areas are or can be lurking. Keep exchanging/returning it until you have one in hand that is exactly what you want knowing that customer/warranty service will be of no help or could actually make it worse. I know that could be a problem for some of their limited runs where they only made a few like in the tv yellow, that green one, etc. But buying a new one armed with the realistic expectation that some of them will be duds and you may not even get one at all can be helpful and keep the stress level down.
Probably the best walk away from all this is to never accept a bass from a dealer that is not 100% perfect. Inspect the bejeebers out of it, we all know where the problem areas are or can be lurking. Keep exchanging/returning it until you have one in hand that is exactly what you want knowing that customer/warranty service will be of no help or could actually make it worse. I know that could be a problem for some of their limited runs where they only made a few like in the tv yellow, that green one, etc. But buying a new one armed with the realistic expectation that some of them will be duds and you may not even get one at all can be helpful and keep the stress level down.
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Well since Ric is located maybe 30 miles from me they better make me a good bass or I will drive it right to there front door and have them keep fixing it tell its right, that said I wont be ordering one tell I can see photos of one in each color. I may also ship it to Oregon and get it at my parents when I am up to dodge the ridiculous sales tax here.
Just a hunch, but I will bet a substantial amount of money that they will NOT let you do that.
