Any update on Cii/5 string pickup issue?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 9:17 pm

There are a few Cii/5s out there and some of the owners might disagree with you on that point Ken. We, the customers have the right and the responsibility to point out what is good and bad with our instruments. This can and should be done in a constructive, meaningful way where no feelings get hurt. You spoke out very loudly about tailpiece lift a few weeks ago. It was certainly your right and I completely agreed with you. How was that different from complaints about the Cii/5 having pickups that are too narrow? In your tailpiece complaint, you said that any amount of lift is unacceptable and that adding screws was not a good enough solution. Don't you think that suggesting the use of compressors to work around the pickup width problem is just as lame?

Improvements have been part of the process at RIC forever. There have been literally dozens of adjustments made to the 4001/3 alone over the years. Some of those changes certainly had to be the result of player feedback. Feedback that was taken in the spirit in which it was intended - to improve the breed.

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 4:30 am

Well said Ted!

Cheers!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 4:57 am

Two Totally different problems one has been around for a decade or more the other when first became apparent production was seized what better response could you ask for? Also I never deemed any Ric unplayable, thats far too extreme [dramatic]don't you think?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:50 am

The problem is the CII5 should never have left the factory with the basic problem it had ... one simple test should have caught the problem ... the tailpiece problem takes time to develope ... the pickup problem is there from day one ... a pickup should have rails/pole pieces at least as wide as the strings it covers ... this is really basic ... bass building 101 ... they got so many complex and difficult things right on that bass that many of us were supprised they made a mistake on a basic thing ... for me any drop off in string volume is unacceptable ...

the 4004L and 4004C 4 string bass have excellent response of all 4 strings ... especially the D and G strings ... and when I convert them to a 5 string and use a 2 3/8" bridge they continue to preform in an excellent manner ...

so the bottom line is they made an excellent bass with one basic flaw that can be corrected ...

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:00 am

Now that! was well said!Jeff

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:18 am

"This can and should be done in a constructive, meaningful way where no feelings get hurt."

...yes, well said Ted.

I think JH would obviously expect some sort of feedback obviously and sometimes your biggest fans can be your worst critics. However I also think JH would expect a certain degree of tact and respect involved when expressing concerns for an issue with an instrument...especially from the majority of the regulars on this forum.
I could have returned my first Cii5 and gotten a full refund, then passed on the second one without a problem. I chose to keep them. JH was working on a solution, but a couple of guys on this forum and the other forum pushed JH's buttons, antagonized him about it...and continue to do so. JH felt that if his efforts on the Cii5 were not appreciated, he might as well turn his priorities to other instruments that would. I would feel the same way.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:20 am

Ken: I just re-read the posts up to this point. Greg said that to him, the pickup is unusable not that the bass itself is unplayable. There is a big difference there. Greg's assesment is entirely consistent with Jeff's. Both called attention to a fixable flaw in an otherwise fine instrument.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:46 am

Joey: You are right. The unfortunate reality is that some people complain with no tact. A little civility goes a long way in customer service situations. This goes for both sides of the deal. I completely understand how JH might feel having to listen to criticisms that are off the mark or simply just over-reactions. This is especially true when rocks are thrown in a public forum. On the other hand, a few loud-mouths should not have the ability to delay or prevent the rest of us from obtaining a particular instrument.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:59 am

I just want a quilted top...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:32 am

"This is especially true when rocks are thrown in a public forum."

That was the worst part of it all.
I'll just keep checking the RIC website, you never know when the re-launch of the Cii5 could surprise us.

Jared, here's a nice quilted top for ya.

gshadoan · Post by **gshadoan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:34 am

>I could have returned my first Cii5 and gotten >a full refund, then passed on the second one >without a problem.

And why, pray tell, would you have EVEN considered something so extreme (dramitic)??

Tell the truth Joey... why????

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:49 am

Greg, I'm not sure what you are asking, here but, the truth is I've waited since about '86 when I got my first 5 string bass guitar for RIC to make a fingerstyle friendly 5 string bass. When I received my first Cii5, I was not about to give it up, pickup problem or not. The pickup issue could be resolved and there was nothing else that I found unsatisfactory about the Cii5...therefore I gladly accepted my trans red...and if you think they are just show pieces for me, then you haven't seen all the pics I've posted.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:59 am

Joey was a true gentleman about the situation. He took his issue up directly with RIC customer service and NEVER complained about it publicly. He once told me about the pickup problem in an e-mail but even in private, he did not break bad on RIC. He certainly had good cause.

gshadoan · Post by **gshadoan** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:09 am

>The pickup issue could be resolved and there was nothing else that I found unsatisfactory about the Cii5

Here here. I am in total agreement with you.
Scarey huh?!
And yes I have seen your pics. You need a haircut ROFL - JK JK

I also wait with great anticipation on the "update" of this model. (even though I "chose" to do the work myself, and it will now not affect me personally) I'm sure it will make quick work of any issues. What I am really curious about is how it will be handled. If it WILL require routing, there may have to be a recall, of sorts. AKA a giant can of worms. I wish them and you who own them good luck. I will wait till the next run to get another.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:17 am

I am with you on that Greg. As soon as they commence production I will place an order.