Online Dealers

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:04 pm

I saw some forum going back and forth saying that all order's for Music123 were cancelled but now they can order. I know that Guitar Center got shown the door....but what is the deal?

I have a 360 and I want a FG 4003 and I know that I have to wait...which is good because it lets me save up for it....but who has bought from the "online big guys" and had a happy experience?

Also, who is the parent company of music123 to see when any basses have been shipped!

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:20 pm

I have not a clue. Iv never ordered anything from a online source.
Musiciansfriend
Music go round
ZZound
I check all those sites often. Music go round is really kool. I just got a bass from them. Altho it was at a local store. And everything is used. But If you give them a call... I think they are welling to ship the item to a store near you and you can go there play it and check it out before you buy it. Im not sure if they well or not. I heard something like that tho.
I know nothing about Music123 or GC tho.
Probly not much help but I tryed. The older guys (everyone on the forum) do this more often then me tho. Im sure theyll chim in soon.

Welcome to the forum too.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:38 pm

In the past I've gotten excellent service from both MusiciansFriend and Music123. I haven't ordered anything very recently (last time was several months ago when I bought some DR strings), so I don't know if anything's gong on right now. In the past they were both quite reliable.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:47 pm

I just bought a 4003 FG from PM Blues in Rhode Island and I live in Maryland. No problems. I called Paul and talked with him. He sent me pics and in 3 days I had my RIC with Warranty. He has a few left. I got a 2005 model. I think all the 4003's he has have the vintage pickup option and come with a vintage case.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:48 pm

Music123 is DBI in South Bend, IN. Looks like they are not listed as a dealer anymore on the RIC site.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/dealers.asp?state=IN

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:17 pm

only order from the big wearhouse online dealers if they have it in stock ...

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:06 pm

Has anyone heard anything about Music123 being terminated? They certainly haven't told their customers that are waiting on Ric's. I heard I was something like customer #9 in line and they were expecting 12 basses....but I know that they show up when they show up and that the estimates are not true.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:56 pm

they had this...

4stringnosing · Post by **4stringnosing** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:50 am

I got my MB 4003 from Music123 last December, mostly because they had one in stock and the price was excellent. The turnaround was fantastic - less than a week to Canada. Problem was the case was slightly dented and they never responded to my e-mails about the problem.

I also use juststrings.com for, well, you can probably figure out what I get there!

They've been excellent, though they do have the annoying habit of charging you a flat rate for shipping on every set of strings, even if you buy a bunch of them. Can't imagine it costs them $50 to ship 10 packs of strings if it costs $5 for one set!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:10 am

It could be that they were not allowed to order more. This is a policy that RIC initiated last year to slow the backlog of orders. Each outlet is allowed a certain credit limit, but RIC started to include pending (but not delivered) orders into that credit limit. It seems odd, but with RIC being a year or so behind in fulfilling orders, it is one way to keep the backlog from building up to a ridiculous level. I believe RIC is looking at ways to increase production to chip away at the backlog, but I don't know what that will entail.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:12 am

Music123.com was born out of Zapf's Music, the largest independent retailer in the Philadelphia area. Zapf's was founded by Sofian Zapf, a master violinmaker, and his father Leonard in 1928 on the ground floor of their Philadelphia row house. By the 1940's, Sofian and Leonard had enlarged their store and developed a reputation for unparalleled service and quality in the Philadelphia market. Then, as now, Zapf's Music bought, sold, and repaired new and used instruments. In the 1960's, Sofian's son Erik began expanding into new locations and created a school Rental program.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:12 am

Here is a surprizing update for the above post..

From the South Bend Tribune:

SOUTH BEND -- A local musical instrument dealer has filed a federal suit claiming two former employees acquired its Web domain and started an
interactive pornographic site there. The suit seeks a permanent injunction and up to $100,000 in damages, saying the actions are causing injury by tarnishing a retail outlet associated with the store.

The suit was filed last week by Dennis Bamber Inc., doing business as The Woodwind & Brasswind, which is on Technology Drive. Defendants are Richard and Stephen Zapf, and a company they purportedly own, Zinc Properties of
Cherry Hill, N.J. The Zapfs formerly worked for the plaintiff. They were terminated in June.

The plaintiff, DBI, also wants its old domain back. (The Tribune has chosen not to publish the address.)

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:32 am

That was me who was ranting about the Music123 orders. I had three BlueBursts and a 380L on order for over a year, then I got e-mails advising me that the items were closeouts and my orders were terminated. When I called about it- they couldn't tell me anything other than in 2006 RIC wasn't accepting Blueburst orders anymore, DUH! It was ordered in Summer of '05. John Hall posted something in the thread and I got the impression that Music123 never paid for their orders. If you want one, go to Musiciansfriend. I never had a problem with them. Or even www.americanmusical.com.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:25 am

As far as Ric's go, I only do on-line through established dealers like Mike Parks, Chris Clayton (POTR) and Russ Craig of Classic Axe.