Colour bleed on Midnight Blue 4003

billy_sacco · Post by **billy_sacco** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:11 am

Man that sucks they don't do that anymore. I would love to have a turquoise 4003.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:40 am

Steve: It is amazing that an instrument could be ready to refinish after only an hour or stripping. I guess the less palatable side of the story it takes considerably longer before the new finish is cured and ready for shipping, especially in winter.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:04 am

I found John Hall's original quote from a thread about refinishing:

"Scrape all the finish off instead (and then you won't have a binding problem either). It really is not that difficult or time consuming, in fact, one of my guys can scrape a guitar to refinishable fresh wood in less than half an hour."

That's even faster than I remembered!

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:06 am

Wow. Those guys are good! I could do one in a couple hours, but then I don't do it every day either, and probably don't have the correct tools to use.

floridamax · Post by **floridamax** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:47 pm

Update on my 4003 Midnight Blue paint bleed problem as promised. The distributors have agreed to replace my bass. The bad news is that I have been advised that it will take about 9 months before I can take delivery of a replacement 4003 - any colour - from the distributors. A great shame, because my Midnight Blue Rick was the best guitar I even owned.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:30 am

That must have to do with your living in the UK, Colin. They must have had to order a new one altogether and get back in the queue.
But at least they are doing something for you! (Trying to spin it positively...)

billy_sacco · Post by **billy_sacco** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:37 am

Yeah for sure that is good news! Hey like others have said if it plays good maybe keep it and the bleed will add to its "lore".

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:40 am

This is my 'bass with bleed'.

The bleed is particularly noticeable on the neck binding and also where my right forearm rests on the upper front bass body when playing. You can make it out in the photo.

The 'stickiness' that it suffered from has cleared up now. This 4003 is the best player of the 3 I have and I would hate to part with it.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:24 am

That is still a great looking bass Ian! Despite the troubles, that is.

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:24 am

It varies weirdly between a navy blue and a sort of 'neon' blue depending on how the light hits it.. Something I wasn't aware of when i ordered it!

In this pic the light is not reflecting off the headstock which makes it look even stranger!

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:30 am

And here it is, looking 'royal blue'...
Hard to believe it's the very same bass...

floridamax · Post by **floridamax** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:33 am

Hi Guys
I have found out that I have now been suspended from the main Rickenbacker forum for daring to post an observation about the poor paint finish on my Midnight Blue 4003. This has annoyed me so much that I have now agreed a deal with my supplier to buy a Fender Jazz Bass instead. The Fender is not my first choice guitar, but I cannot wait 9 months for the importers to deliver! I wish to say thank you to all members of this forum and to the moderators who obviously have more respect for free speech than some other forums.

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:44 am

Colin,

The exact same thing happened to me over at the Ric official forum, as I raised the same issue there. I've been kicked off and they have said that they aren't going to let me back on.

It was pointed out to me that the forum isn't the correct place for customer service issues, which is fair enough.

It was not a great loss to be booted off there in my case, as I don't really have anything else to say on there, anyway.

If you are in the UK, it would have been worth contacting Coda Music http://www.coda-music.com who are great to deal with.

floridamax · Post by **floridamax** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:22 am

Thanks for your support Ian. It is disgusting the way we are being treated - we are after all the customer. I am in business - a substantial company based in the UK - if I were to treat my customers the way that Rickenbacker and their UK distributors and their forum moderators have treated their customers over this issue I would not survive! I have lusted after a Rick bass for many years so I am bitterly disappointed at the treatment I have received from the Company and their distributors. If Rickenbacker and their Agents treat their customers as thick idiots, word will soon get round and others will do what I have done - vote with their cheque book. We have genuine freedom of speech in the UK - something that seems to be lacking elsewhere.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:06 am

Lacking in more places than you realise, Colin!
Here in the UK you will get a better after sales service from most of the unofficial importers/retailers than from...