Colour bleed on Midnight Blue 4003
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12stringbassist
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When mine turned up, the finish certainly felt tacky. And there was an overpowering scent of paint about it, as the case was opened - though Rics do smell of polish when new.... mmmmmmm!
I bought it new (with USA / Canada warranty) from a UK importer, who I certainly do not in any way blame for the problem. An individual, not a store.
I would not expect and don't intend to take issue with him on the bass finish problem.
I got the bass in Early August '05 and it was made the previous November, according to the slips.
I haven't contacted Ric support yet. I am going to get all my info and thoughts together first.
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I do understand why certain issues (such as mine) are not appropriate to the company's promotional forum, but while that's fair enough, it does make them a bit of a 'yes-men patting each other's back' area!!
I bought it new (with USA / Canada warranty) from a UK importer, who I certainly do not in any way blame for the problem. An individual, not a store.
I would not expect and don't intend to take issue with him on the bass finish problem.
I got the bass in Early August '05 and it was made the previous November, according to the slips.
I haven't contacted Ric support yet. I am going to get all my info and thoughts together first.
***
I do understand why certain issues (such as mine) are not appropriate to the company's promotional forum, but while that's fair enough, it does make them a bit of a 'yes-men patting each other's back' area!!
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12stringbassist
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I was asked which dealer is stopping dealing with Rickenbacker guitars..
The shop is outside of Manchester, doesn't appear on dealer lists that I've seen, tho' they do have about 3 guitars in stock at the moment. They are just very slow sellers, so they said they are not going to keep re-ordering.
No names as it's not for me to say... unless they decide to have a sale to clear them out (in which case I'll be camping overnight outside the shop!!)
They didn't exactly like the look of what was going on with mine, but that wasn't at all influencing their earlier decision not to keep trying to sell Rics. That decision had been taken a short while ago. The words "We can't shift 'em" were used. No reflection on quality - just on the slow demand for them that they have been dealing with.
Despite the issues my with discoloured 4003, I really must say I'm still 97% happy with it.
The shop is outside of Manchester, doesn't appear on dealer lists that I've seen, tho' they do have about 3 guitars in stock at the moment. They are just very slow sellers, so they said they are not going to keep re-ordering.
No names as it's not for me to say... unless they decide to have a sale to clear them out (in which case I'll be camping overnight outside the shop!!)
They didn't exactly like the look of what was going on with mine, but that wasn't at all influencing their earlier decision not to keep trying to sell Rics. That decision had been taken a short while ago. The words "We can't shift 'em" were used. No reflection on quality - just on the slow demand for them that they have been dealing with.
Despite the issues my with discoloured 4003, I really must say I'm still 97% happy with it.
I don't blame RIC for not wanting to deal with a customer complaint on their forum. It makes perfect sense for them to want to deal with the customer/dealer privately.
I don't know any other guitar manufacturers that have a chat forum on their website. There are certainly "fan" forums around where company reps chat with users and there are some fan forums that were given cease and desist orders. I certainly wouldn't want to see the RIC forum disappear!
I don't know any other guitar manufacturers that have a chat forum on their website. There are certainly "fan" forums around where company reps chat with users and there are some fan forums that were given cease and desist orders. I certainly wouldn't want to see the RIC forum disappear!
2006 Rickenbacker 360/12FG
2005 Rickenbacker 4003FG
1981 Rickenbacker 320JG
2004 Larrivee L05
2005 Yamaha FG720-12
2006 Epiphone Casino
2004 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster
2003 LaPatie Etude Classical
1968 Yamaha FG150 Red Label
2005 Rickenbacker 4003FG
1981 Rickenbacker 320JG
2004 Larrivee L05
2005 Yamaha FG720-12
2006 Epiphone Casino
2004 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster
2003 LaPatie Etude Classical
1968 Yamaha FG150 Red Label
Carvin hosts forums on their corporate website, and they're run in a similar manner to the RIC forums in that discussing customer service issues are against forum rules, and such cases should be dealt with in private with the company.
I can understand such policies, especially on a corporate website. Forums can get crowded with negativity, since people with complaints or problems are more likely to be vocal than someone who's satisfied. You know, the vocal minority; for every person posting about a problem, there could be 100 more customers with no problems at all and not even bothering to post about it. Having a forum full of complaints or service issues can make the wrong impression on someone browsing the forum ("all I see here are complaints... well forget these guitars!") and I can understand why a company wouldn't want that on their own website.
I can understand such policies, especially on a corporate website. Forums can get crowded with negativity, since people with complaints or problems are more likely to be vocal than someone who's satisfied. You know, the vocal minority; for every person posting about a problem, there could be 100 more customers with no problems at all and not even bothering to post about it. Having a forum full of complaints or service issues can make the wrong impression on someone browsing the forum ("all I see here are complaints... well forget these guitars!") and I can understand why a company wouldn't want that on their own website.
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bob_the_bass
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12stringbassist
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I have heard from John Hall. He gave me a very prompt and courteous reply, for which I am quite grateful.
I am not covered by the Ric warranty for a number of reasons:
I bought the bass through an importer, which though I was the first to open the box, John reckons technically makes it 'third hand' - so the warranty is automatically invalidated. That's not worth arguing about. But I would be extremely careful in future of anyone who says the store the bass is supplied to is a 'first owner'. Ric don't do 100% of their business direct with customers, so this needs clarifying for everyone. I'm not the person to do this - I'm exhausted with the issue!
The warranty is USA and Canada only. I'm in the UK. Zap! Warranty not applicable.
The bass was built in Nov '04. Though I only took delivery on July 25th 05, he states (quite correctly) that the bass is now over a year old - so beware of any Ric basses that have been in a store's stock for a while in any shop, as by that reckoning, they may automatically fall out of the warranty period. Construction date vs sale date?
As I have said above, I am 97% happy with the bass and will continue to use it as is. The fault is hardly noticeable - none of my bandmates had noticed it.
I would just advise people buying any MID finish Ric to be very careful in handling it. If I hadn't actually used it, this problem may never have occurred!!!!!!!!
I am not covered by the Ric warranty for a number of reasons:
I bought the bass through an importer, which though I was the first to open the box, John reckons technically makes it 'third hand' - so the warranty is automatically invalidated. That's not worth arguing about. But I would be extremely careful in future of anyone who says the store the bass is supplied to is a 'first owner'. Ric don't do 100% of their business direct with customers, so this needs clarifying for everyone. I'm not the person to do this - I'm exhausted with the issue!
The warranty is USA and Canada only. I'm in the UK. Zap! Warranty not applicable.
The bass was built in Nov '04. Though I only took delivery on July 25th 05, he states (quite correctly) that the bass is now over a year old - so beware of any Ric basses that have been in a store's stock for a while in any shop, as by that reckoning, they may automatically fall out of the warranty period. Construction date vs sale date?
As I have said above, I am 97% happy with the bass and will continue to use it as is. The fault is hardly noticeable - none of my bandmates had noticed it.
I would just advise people buying any MID finish Ric to be very careful in handling it. If I hadn't actually used it, this problem may never have occurred!!!!!!!!
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12stringbassist
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The shop I mentioned (see post a couple of posts up) are just being careful not to stock 'slow selling' instruments. They don't price match anywhere else, so perhaps there's the reason why they aren't selling!
There's no dissatisfaction with Ric at all. They said yesterday that they would probably 'leave it a good while' before getting any more in stock.
There's no dissatisfaction with Ric at all. They said yesterday that they would probably 'leave it a good while' before getting any more in stock.
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bassmandudge
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I have been following this thread with great interest, In December my wife, god love her, bought me a Rick 4003 Mid blue as a thank you. The guitar was verified as a genuine article by a very helpful local music shop, as she also bought it from a sole importer, and wanted to make sure that she wasn't being ripped off. The serial number also checks out with Rickenbacker as it being made in October 05.
At the time blue was all she could get, it was not my favourite colour, but I have waited 25 years for a Rick and In the short time I have had it I have come to love the colour,,,,it's a bit different.
But it has bled......but this is where the interesting thing comes about. Firstly, forget the BS about anti-bac soaps. Mine has only done about 7hrs practise so far and doesn't have it's first gig until 25th Feb. The bleeding onto the binding around the first 6 frets on the top of the neck has become quite prominent. But the under side is spotless. Now, I hardly get my thumb over the top of the neck, but I wizz up and down the bottom all the time. So that doesn't wash...doesn't wash...wash..get it..oh please yourself!
Secondly, there is never any residue on my thumbs or palm, so it can't be bleeding through the clear coat due to sweat.
Thirdly, there is a good 3mm of rosewood between the binding and the blue paint on the neck and there is not a hint of bleeding on the timber.
Now I have a thought or two. I wonder if there is an issue with the colour sanding process that Rickenbacker do before they apply the clear coat. When I first showed my beauty in the light of day there was no blue on the bindings what so ever, But it seems to be getting worse almost daily. I wonder if the Clear coat somehow reacts with UV to almost re-instate the blue over spray/polish. I know this might sound a bit out there but stranger things have happened. There is no way that any of my washing habits or sweat has caused this, you would get a residue on your cleaning cloth or your hands and bear in mind, mine has only been used for about 7 hours max to date. It is the strangest phenomenon.
Now I don't have a problem with the neck, but if the blue gets onto the binding round the body I will not be happy. Part of the beauty of the 4003 is the stark contrast between the binding and the body colour.
I will say that my guitar was never tacky, and I was certainly the first one to see it out of the flight case, as you have already said the smell nearly knocked me off my feet!
I would hope the Rickenbacker would look into this and rectify it ,if necessary, at no cost as they obviously have a problem. These are, after all, very expensive guitars.
I don't want this problem to take the edge of, what is in reality, the realisation of a 25 year old dream. My guitar is still well within the first year of its life and so it will be interesting to see what Rickenbacker will have to say, or whether they will play the unofficial importer card. Frankly it shouldn't matter who imported it, it is still their product and their warranty should not be affected.
Anti bacterial soap......what a crock of s......!!!
At the time blue was all she could get, it was not my favourite colour, but I have waited 25 years for a Rick and In the short time I have had it I have come to love the colour,,,,it's a bit different.
But it has bled......but this is where the interesting thing comes about. Firstly, forget the BS about anti-bac soaps. Mine has only done about 7hrs practise so far and doesn't have it's first gig until 25th Feb. The bleeding onto the binding around the first 6 frets on the top of the neck has become quite prominent. But the under side is spotless. Now, I hardly get my thumb over the top of the neck, but I wizz up and down the bottom all the time. So that doesn't wash...doesn't wash...wash..get it..oh please yourself!
Secondly, there is never any residue on my thumbs or palm, so it can't be bleeding through the clear coat due to sweat.
Thirdly, there is a good 3mm of rosewood between the binding and the blue paint on the neck and there is not a hint of bleeding on the timber.
Now I have a thought or two. I wonder if there is an issue with the colour sanding process that Rickenbacker do before they apply the clear coat. When I first showed my beauty in the light of day there was no blue on the bindings what so ever, But it seems to be getting worse almost daily. I wonder if the Clear coat somehow reacts with UV to almost re-instate the blue over spray/polish. I know this might sound a bit out there but stranger things have happened. There is no way that any of my washing habits or sweat has caused this, you would get a residue on your cleaning cloth or your hands and bear in mind, mine has only been used for about 7 hours max to date. It is the strangest phenomenon.
Now I don't have a problem with the neck, but if the blue gets onto the binding round the body I will not be happy. Part of the beauty of the 4003 is the stark contrast between the binding and the body colour.
I will say that my guitar was never tacky, and I was certainly the first one to see it out of the flight case, as you have already said the smell nearly knocked me off my feet!
I would hope the Rickenbacker would look into this and rectify it ,if necessary, at no cost as they obviously have a problem. These are, after all, very expensive guitars.
I don't want this problem to take the edge of, what is in reality, the realisation of a 25 year old dream. My guitar is still well within the first year of its life and so it will be interesting to see what Rickenbacker will have to say, or whether they will play the unofficial importer card. Frankly it shouldn't matter who imported it, it is still their product and their warranty should not be affected.
Anti bacterial soap......what a crock of s......!!!
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12stringbassist
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I couldn't agree more with you.
Sadly John Hall and his boys are across the pond from me, or they would be paid a short visit and I would certainly come away with a replacement in a different colour.
I too have no discolouration at all on the inner wood stripe part of the binding. Really peculiar....
I think the 'third hand' idea that they posit is pure and utter ****. It would never get past any consumer protection people.
The 'out of original country of supply' could have been overcome with goodwill on their part.
Goodwill on their part would mean financial outlay on their part.
The final insult is the notion that the bass is 'over 12 months old'. So it had been in the box unopened for 6 months and the warranty was ticking away? I don't think so!!
As I said up above, if that bass is dated more than a few weeks old on the warranty card - don't accept it without a written guarantee that the date of purchase is the effective date.
I really do hope that you get more satisfaction than I did.
Sadly John Hall and his boys are across the pond from me, or they would be paid a short visit and I would certainly come away with a replacement in a different colour.
I too have no discolouration at all on the inner wood stripe part of the binding. Really peculiar....
I think the 'third hand' idea that they posit is pure and utter ****. It would never get past any consumer protection people.
The 'out of original country of supply' could have been overcome with goodwill on their part.
Goodwill on their part would mean financial outlay on their part.
The final insult is the notion that the bass is 'over 12 months old'. So it had been in the box unopened for 6 months and the warranty was ticking away? I don't think so!!
As I said up above, if that bass is dated more than a few weeks old on the warranty card - don't accept it without a written guarantee that the date of purchase is the effective date.
I really do hope that you get more satisfaction than I did.
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bassmandudge
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