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WHAT??? Rickenbacker 4003S!?

#141
Jeff Scott said:
Someone is not too familiar with vintage FG.

Not to mention the obvious the colors you see on your computer monitor may not reflect the actual shades.
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As the current owner of 28 Ricks, I believe I'm familiar with the variations of Rickenbacker's Fireglo finish through the years.

And, on that note, the current SpaghettioGlo does NOT resemble in any way, shape, or form, any other era of Fireglo finishes. They were warm; they weren't simply Mapleglo with a tomato soupy border. Modern computer displays are accurate enough. SpaghettioGlo does NOT look like this:

2.jpg


Even the long-produced "PinkGlo" era of Fireglo looks better than SpaghettioGlo.
 
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#142
ggoat!!! said:
As the current owner of 28 Ricks, I believe I'm familiar with the variations of Rickenbacker's Fireglo finish through the years.

And, on that note, the current SpaghettioGlo does NOT resemble in any way, shape, or form, any other era of Fireglo finishes. They were warm; they weren't simply Mapleglo with a tomato soupy border. Modern computer displays are accurate enough. SpaghettioGlo does NOT look like this:

2.jpg


Even the long-produced "PinkGlo" era of Fireglo looks better than SpaghettioGlo.
Click to expand...

I always heard that it's not about winning or losing when wrestling in the mud with a troll, it's about wrestling in the mud!!
By the way, i ordered a FG 4003S from POTR
 
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#144
They aren't "hate posts." They are merely unclouded observations, assessments, and reporting of actual fact regarding their current quality. The pictures speak for themselves, and their actions regarding their current quality level (and/or customer service) are not arguable.

That doesn't change the fact that I love the basses...just not the quality control and customer service. I guess that's the difference between being a Rickenbacker fan and a Rickenbacker fanboy.
 
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#146
ggoat!!! said:
They aren't "hate posts." They are merely unclouded observations, assessments, and reporting of actual fact regarding their current quality. The pictures speak for themselves, and their actions regarding their current quality level (and/or customer service) are not arguable.

That doesn't change the fact that I love the basses...just not the quality control and customer service. I guess that's the difference between being a Rickenbacker fan and a Rickenbacker fanboy.
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Fanboy, the ultimate word for the internet bully to throw about. Ugh!
 
#150
Jeff Scott said:
Didn't RIC make 5 of those "1-of-1" basses? There were three runs of 5 each, of different colors, IIRC. SG, Yellow, and White.
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They sure did make 5 "Special Green" basses. This was the first of 5 and it was indeed originally "Special Green" (see the picture at the bottom of this post). But, the finish was lifting at the bridge (surprise surprise) and it was ultimately finished by Rickenbacker 3 times. It is now 1-of-1 as it is "Sea Green" refinished by Rickenbacker. Perhaps you didn't read all of this thread, as this was already discussed; here is a copy/paste of what was already posted in this thread:

"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..."

Hence, it is now 1-of-1 as it is no longer "Special Green" but is now "Sea Green" (which is sometimes referred to as "Seafoam Green" at Rickenbacker, hence the "SFG" written on the last shipping box after the final repaint).

Here is a picture of it when it was "Special Green" before one of the repaints:

Link Removed

I can post pics of the defects in workmanship along the way if anyone is interested. Painted over truss rods, stripped screws, dings in the paint, nut not removed before repaint (and thus painted over), finish bubbles, lifting at the neck/body joint, etc...
 
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#151
The siren song of this 4003s is strong. Aside from McCartney and Pilgrim, I don't care for the players and prog music associated with Ricks. But I absolutely love the space-age look of Rickenbackers. With the more basic styling, this one reminds me of the 330 I had for a few months in the 80s. And that's the thing--i loved everything about that 330 except playing it. The neck was so dinky.

And yet... I want a fireglo 4003s.
 
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#154
ggoat!!! said:
With nearly 30 of them at the present, the ONLY way I'm buying another is if they screw the parts on straight/true and give us the checkerboard binding option that the Japanese get.

The last Rick I bought was a stunning 4003W with figured walnut; it's absolutely gorgeous, but the bridge IS a hair off. However, the most glaring problem is a distinct easily felt sharp ridge on both sides of the neck where the fretboard is glued to the neck. You can actually run your thumb along the line. It's SUPER annoying; it's constantly felt just under my fingers on my palm. Horrible quality control; the terrible unsanded fretboard/neck joint missed both the factory (as if they really check for such things) as well as the dealer. I'm undecided as to whether I'm going to sand it down and re-oil it (risking a non-perfect oiled finish match) or to actually send it to Marty Bell to have it finished in gloss clear. The wood is SOOOOO beautiful that it would only be enhanced by the gloss finish...but I DO love the oiled look too. But, I HAVE to fix the neck ridge...and I want it to be unnoticeable. So, I'm not sure which direction I'm going yet.

The BEST thing about a Rick oiled finish is that it can't lift at the bridge like sooooooooo many Rickenbackers do nowadays (I've had this happen 5 times alone since 2011).

Anyhoo, here are a few pics of my latest when I got it last year (and no, I don't leave those silly stickers on even though they are in a few of my pics haha):

4003wneater.jpg

frysnazhftbkbyj7abto.jpg
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Boy your right, that is gorgeous
 

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