Wondering if I should return my Ric

[prowla]

Alright guys. I'm about 99% certain that I'll be returning the Ric tomorrow. It has been fun but I don't think it's the right fit for me. I'll give it one more night, but I'm thinking its hours are numbered.

Forgive him, Lord, for he knows not what he does...

 

[JMacBass65]

Didn't read the entire thread so this might be moot...

I was head over heels with my Ric last year around this time. Changed the strings, and it threw things off a bit. Couldn't adjust the neck myself cuz I couldn't get a wrench to fit. Had it adjusted by a tech. Still in love. Needed to adjust the neck again shortly after... found an inerchangable screwdriver did the trick with the driver head taken out. I was ecstatic.

Ric needs a neck adjustment again... screwdriver handle isn't working. Won't fit on one of the nuts now - no idea why it did and now doesn't. It hits the wood. I'm pissed. Don't want to pay to have my neck adjusted - it's stupid. Don't want to drop $50 on the only wrench I believe will do the trick, either. My Ric now sits unplayed. And I have Ric resentment.

I love my Ric when it's set up how I like it. I don't love it when it's not. That means I have to tweak it from time to time, and I can't.

Will probably wind up dropping that extra $50... I'm sooooo not happy about that though.

I'd be loosing my mind dealing with that.

All of the sudden, the early 4003 with the truss adjusting at the heel of the neck seems like something they should have stuck with.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I ended up buying the tool for the truss rod last weekend. I couldn't find a single thin walled at that size so I had to buy a Husky brand kit from Home Depot. It was about $17 after tax and it included the size I needed.

The adjustment was still a pain to do. I had to carefully sand down the area under the rod to get the tool to fit. Even then I had to force the thing.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Maybe on an old 4001 that has had heavy strings on it for years as the ends will dip on them but the new 4003's are very simple to adjust, I've owned many Rics over the years (more than 30 I believe) and have had no problems with them, you are perpetuating a false tale.

You know this to not be true. It's a common complaint on both TB and the RIC pages. It was true of the three modern RICS that have passed through my hands.

 

[superdick2112]

Ouch!
No need to sand or gouge the truss rod cavity on the bass.
Fire up the 'ol grinder wheel, and shave down the outer barrel of the nut driver.

What's worse, ruining a $20 hand tool, or a $1600 bass?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Ouch!
No need to sand or gouge the truss rod cavity on the bass.
Fire up the 'ol grinder wheel, and shave down the outer barrel of the nut driver.

What's worse, ruining a $20 hand tool, or a $1600 bass?

I unfortunately don't own one, so that would be another added cost of ownership

 

[woodyng2]

Find me one and I'll buy it. Went through several already that didn't work.

I just bought a Taylor tr tool off Sweetwater for $4 shipped. It works just fine on my Laredo.

 

[Joe Nerve]

View attachment 1078153
I just bought a Taylor tr tool off Sweetwater for $4 shipped. It works just fine on my Laredo.

Just ordered it. Thanks. Though I'm a little less than hopeful. I have another 1/4 tool that was supposedly made specifically for Rickenbacker that looks remarkably like that - that doesn't fit. I've a feeling I have no choice other than to sand the cavity.

I know that some of you think it's easier to sand the tool, but for some of us the tools to do that would cost more than using a tech. Not to mention not having a clue how Togo about doing that.

 

[superdick2112]

I unfortunately don't own one, so that would be another added cost of ownership

A proper truss rod wrench will set you back no more than a set of strings would.
I still haven't heard you complain about tone or playability, so I recommend you keep it.
Set-up on a Ric is not difficult, despite what all the naysayers would have you think (its just a wee bit more finicky) , and once you hear that beastie in all its glory, cranked up live at a nice gig, you'll become a believer.

 

[superdick2112]

I just bought a Taylor tr tool off Sweetwater for $4 shipped. It works just fine on my Laredo.

Pretty much what I use too.
I have a bag of 7 or 8 wrenches I've collected over the years, and the one that fits my 4003 looks just like that one of yours.

 

[nixdad]

I finally adjusted the truss rods on my 2014 4003 last weekend, as the neck had developed a bit of a bow. I bought a nut driver several months ago which was recommended by someone here on TB, but had not yet used it.

Upon removing the TRC, it was very clear that it was necessary to dig a bit of a channel under each rod in order to get the tool to fit. I used a few different sizes of very small flat head screwdrivers in order to plane out just enough wood to get the tool to fit on both sides. Once done, the tool fit beautifully and I was easily able to adjust each rod. Both required no more than a half turn to remove the bow.

It is an inconvenience and just one more quirk, but I get far too much enjoyment out of the bass for something like this to dissuade me.

 

[bobyoung53]

You know this to not be true. It's a common complaint on both TB and the RIC pages. It was true of the three modern RICS that have passed through my hands.

This is the first time I've ever heard of this on a 4003, not saying it doesn't happen although I'm sure the fix would be minor just that I've never experienced it nor heard of it before on a 4003, this was common on 4001's with heavy gauge strings years ago though.

 

[Root 5]

I like Rickenbackers, warts and all

 

[Mosstone]

Hey TB,

I bought a 2016 MapleGlo Ric last week from my local GC. It was a used model that they had for a good price, and I was even able to haggle them down another $100.

It's a really cool bass. I love the look and the fact that it inspires me to play differently than how I normally play on my Jazz or Ray. That said, I'm not in love with it and I wonder if it'd be smarter to return it while it's still in it's 45 day no haggle return window.

I like to tinker and do my own setups, and the Ric isn't easy to do this on. I'm a little perturbed that these basses don't come with their own truss rod tool, and the process of installing and removing the pickup cover is a small burden. The bridge is another matter all together with its floating saddles.

Anyways, I wanted some opinions. Anyone buy their first Ric and learn to love these oddities? Anyone buy one and ended up saying the juice wasn't worth the squeeze?

I was a disappointed Rickenbacker owner too and I wish I had returned when I had the chance, but I had wanted one for so long and I was sure I could fix or 'get used to' all the things I didn't like about it.

After dumping more money and time into the bass than I reasonably should have, I still didn't like it, and ended up selling it at a $300 loss.

If the bass doesn't make you happy, send it back.

 

[FunkHead]

I use a Snap-on 1/4 deep socket. It's very thin walled. It barely squeezes between the wood and nut but works great. Once any of My Rics necks were set "Flat", I never needed to mess with them again. Just a tweak of the height at bridge on a very rare occasion.
If OP doesn't like the Ric, then it's just not for him. That's why there are so many vast options for basses.

Return it and get what makes you play your best.

I own a Spector USA NS-4H2 that basically plays itself and sounds like a million bucks. But I still play the Ric more.

It's like wrestling with a beast at times. Then when I just relax and let it do its' thing it's like heaven on Earth.

 

[JMacBass65]

You know, this whole truss rod tool thing is really something Rick needs to address. It just should not be a challenge to find a tool that works. Unacceptable in my view, particularly considering the price of the instrument.

 

[prowla]

You know, this whole truss rod tool thing is really something Rick needs to address. It just should not be a challenge to find a tool that works. Unacceptable in my view, particularly considering the price of the instrument.

There are tools which work; it's just that people are trying to use other ones which don't fit.

 

[Doner Designs]

Hey TB,

I bought a 2016 MapleGlo Ric last week from my local GC. It was a used model that they had for a good price, and I was even able to haggle them down another $100.

It's a really cool bass. I love the look and the fact that it inspires me to play differently than how I normally play on my Jazz or Ray. That said, I'm not in love with it and I wonder if it'd be smarter to return it while it's still in it's 45 day no haggle return window.

I like to tinker and do my own setups, and the Ric isn't easy to do this on. I'm a little perturbed that these basses don't come with their own truss rod tool, and the process of installing and removing the pickup cover is a small burden. The bridge is another matter all together with its floating saddles.

Anyways, I wanted some opinions. Anyone buy their first Ric and learn to love these oddities? Anyone buy one and ended up saying the juice wasn't worth the squeeze?

They aren't for everyone. I had Ric GAS for a short spell and it promptly ended when I picked one up and plugged it in at Sam Ash several years ago. I couldn't get past the hum or the sharp edges. As with Gibsons, the bridge is wonky as you say, but I think somebody makes an aftermarket version.

 

[JMacBass65]

There are tools which work; it's just that people are trying to use other ones which don't fit.

Question is, why are the so hard to find? Seems to be quite the challenge, based on casual observation. Frankly, if it's something not easily found, it should be provided, period. Companies that care about their customers don't make things difficult.

 

[ispunk]

Question is, why are the so hard to find? Seems to be quite the challenge, based on casual observation. Frankly, if it's something not easily found, it should be provided, period. Companies that care about their customers don't make things difficult.

I found the proper socket in the Craftsman set I bought 20 years ago. I don't know why it's so hard for people to find these "elusive" tools to adjust their RIC necks. You people don't have a Sears or a hardware store nearby?