I should have known better than in France (and supposingly in France only), buying a new Rickenbacker today induces a risk. A heavy risk.
The risk is that of being supplied with a guitar or bass that has been stored for two years in a warehouse, in hygrometric and temperature conditions that are quite unknown.
This means that, when you buy a fabulous guitar such as Rickenbackers are, you are, in fact, supplied with a defective one. For the price of an excellent one, of course.
In a very diplomatic way, I tried to find a solution. There were two alternatives : either I could get an exchange, or get refund for my defective bass. For perfect understanding, I must specify that here, in France, we have no Mark "Magic" Arnquist. This means that, as is, my bass cannot be repaired.
The real problem is that my dealer does not want to acknowledge that the bass was already defective when I purchased it from him, at least until it has been examined by a luthier. But anyway, he said he won't refund me. And in another hand, there are no 4003's available at the distributor's at all, and there won't be until next September (because of, the distributor told me, the "very long deadlines for deliveries from RIC"). I don't believe in such deadlines for current models.
Anyway, I'm currently deadlocked, and I have an album to achieve.
The moral of this story is that I should not have purchased an instrument from a trade that has been abandoned by its official distributor.
I'm taking a sad but clear advice of that experience. And unless a providential solution is found immediately, I'll go purchase a new bass, from another manufacturer. And definitely turn a page of my musical life, and break up with my fidelity to Rickenbacker.
You American guys are lucky : distribution of Rickenbackers in the USA is done in a very professional way. And you have the customer service you paid for while purchasing your instruments.
I should have known better...
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rickengrowl
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I should have known better...
Bass player for Next (FR)
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rickengrowl
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Robert,
The neck has curved when I changed the strings, though the new strings were the same gauge as the original ones. This seems not to be a real problem by itself. But while I was tightening the truss rod, the neck would have almost no reaction. Finally, by tightening it very much, I got the neck back straight. But the end of the truss rod (on the headstock) does not allow the nameplate to be _completely_ screwed.
I really don't know whether this is a serious or superficial problem. All I know is that I won't take the risk.
Thanks for your interest,
All the best,
Jean Lançon
http://www.jeanlancon.com
[email protected]
The neck has curved when I changed the strings, though the new strings were the same gauge as the original ones. This seems not to be a real problem by itself. But while I was tightening the truss rod, the neck would have almost no reaction. Finally, by tightening it very much, I got the neck back straight. But the end of the truss rod (on the headstock) does not allow the nameplate to be _completely_ screwed.
I really don't know whether this is a serious or superficial problem. All I know is that I won't take the risk.
Thanks for your interest,
All the best,
Jean Lançon
http://www.jeanlancon.com
[email protected]
Bass player for Next (FR)
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sonicray
Bad luck Jean. I don't think I can think of anything that would depress me more than my Ric turning out to be defective. The worst thing is, you know that it was a perfect instrument when it left the factory floor.
It's a pain getting hold of Rics outside the USA. It took me ages to find a decent left handed 4003 in England. When I did finally find one, I had to make the 250-mile trip to London to get it (but that turned out to be a brilliant day so I didn't really mind the journey).
I could have ordered one, sure, but that's not the way I like to buy guitars. I like to sit down with an instrument for at least an hour in the shop...especially when you consider the cost in Europe. If I'm going to shell out that kind of cash, I want to be sure that it's the right guitar for me. At least I can be fairly safe in the knowledge that the shops and distributors in the UK have total respect for the product.
It's a pain getting hold of Rics outside the USA. It took me ages to find a decent left handed 4003 in England. When I did finally find one, I had to make the 250-mile trip to London to get it (but that turned out to be a brilliant day so I didn't really mind the journey).
I could have ordered one, sure, but that's not the way I like to buy guitars. I like to sit down with an instrument for at least an hour in the shop...especially when you consider the cost in Europe. If I'm going to shell out that kind of cash, I want to be sure that it's the right guitar for me. At least I can be fairly safe in the knowledge that the shops and distributors in the UK have total respect for the product.
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rickengrowl
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Thanks Richard for the friendly words.
What mostly bothers me in this muddy affair is the complete deficiency of customer service here. Excepted the neck problem I experience, what mostly puts me off keeping on playing a Rick is that, in case of any problem, nobody will have a positive reaction in France.
When you purchase a Fender in France, is is covered by a 5 year guarantee, and Fender France have the whole structure to fit your needs. Same thing with Music Man, Warwick, etc. Even with Cort ! But nothing for Rickenbacker.
The fact is that, as you said, European prices for Rick are 30 to 50 p. cent higher than in the USA, but the notion of service ends on the day of the purchase. I really wonder how RIC company (which I keep on considerating as a VERY professional company) can accept such laxity and casualness.
I am about to open a website next summer, providing free-access bass lessons (over 700 lessons, from the very beginner level to the advanced one). This could have been a good opportunity to help European bass players know more about Ricks and enjoy their qualities, since all lessons will be illustrated with pics and sound files. But regarding to the complete lack of service, I really cannot involve myself into such a kind of promotion.
What mostly bothers me in this muddy affair is the complete deficiency of customer service here. Excepted the neck problem I experience, what mostly puts me off keeping on playing a Rick is that, in case of any problem, nobody will have a positive reaction in France.
When you purchase a Fender in France, is is covered by a 5 year guarantee, and Fender France have the whole structure to fit your needs. Same thing with Music Man, Warwick, etc. Even with Cort ! But nothing for Rickenbacker.
The fact is that, as you said, European prices for Rick are 30 to 50 p. cent higher than in the USA, but the notion of service ends on the day of the purchase. I really wonder how RIC company (which I keep on considerating as a VERY professional company) can accept such laxity and casualness.
I am about to open a website next summer, providing free-access bass lessons (over 700 lessons, from the very beginner level to the advanced one). This could have been a good opportunity to help European bass players know more about Ricks and enjoy their qualities, since all lessons will be illustrated with pics and sound files. But regarding to the complete lack of service, I really cannot involve myself into such a kind of promotion.
Bass player for Next (FR)
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sonicray
France does sound like a bad place to own a Ric.
My main bone of contention has always been the price difference between the USA and Europe. However, this seems to be uniform to most decent makes of guitar. Fender products can be bought cheaper because of their shear mass production and range. They produce an instrument to fit every price tag, but naturally the quality wavers immensely.
That's one of the reasons I went for a Rickenbacker. I have played (but never owned) a number of Fender Jazz instruments over the years and the quality has wavered massively. It seems to be a case of being lucky enough to buy when Fender were having a good year. Rickenbacker has always been more consistent with the quality and sound. It's such a shame that the dealership situation sucks. Love the company and product, but outside the USA, customer care appears to be based purely on the shop where it was purchased.
I love the idea of the web site. It's sounds like a very worthwhile project to work on and I bet you will get a great deal of satisfaction from its production. I will certainly be adding the URL to my favorites! It's a terrible shame that you will be unable to utilise a Rickenbacker in its creation.
Well, I hope things work out for you.
My main bone of contention has always been the price difference between the USA and Europe. However, this seems to be uniform to most decent makes of guitar. Fender products can be bought cheaper because of their shear mass production and range. They produce an instrument to fit every price tag, but naturally the quality wavers immensely.
That's one of the reasons I went for a Rickenbacker. I have played (but never owned) a number of Fender Jazz instruments over the years and the quality has wavered massively. It seems to be a case of being lucky enough to buy when Fender were having a good year. Rickenbacker has always been more consistent with the quality and sound. It's such a shame that the dealership situation sucks. Love the company and product, but outside the USA, customer care appears to be based purely on the shop where it was purchased.
I love the idea of the web site. It's sounds like a very worthwhile project to work on and I bet you will get a great deal of satisfaction from its production. I will certainly be adding the URL to my favorites! It's a terrible shame that you will be unable to utilise a Rickenbacker in its creation.
Well, I hope things work out for you.
Good Luck Jean, and all the best...
Remember there still may be one out there for you, new or used. I have had good luck looking both ways. Unless you find one 'on the rack', as they say, The waiting period for a new Rickenbacker is still 6-7 months even here in the States. It took that long even back in 1992 when I ordered a Chris Squire 4001LH.
Remember there still may be one out there for you, new or used. I have had good luck looking both ways. Unless you find one 'on the rack', as they say, The waiting period for a new Rickenbacker is still 6-7 months even here in the States. It took that long even back in 1992 when I ordered a Chris Squire 4001LH.
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rickengrowl
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Got today at a local retailer's shop. Found there a used $150.00 "Marathon" bass, some kinda bass made in Korea or Singapore, looking like a Jazz Bass with no pickguard and all black hardware. Not a good bass, but it is a bass I can put my fingers on, at least to compose. I changed the strings and the neck kept fully straight (d'you see what I mean ? 
Having an instrument to play, even if this is a cheap beginner's instruments, gives me back some strength. That's the way I am. And this gives me strength to call Gaffarel tomorrow and insult them, because even though I contacted them on recommendation of Mr Hall, they did not even deing replying.
I'll keep you informed anyway. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Having an instrument to play, even if this is a cheap beginner's instruments, gives me back some strength. That's the way I am. And this gives me strength to call Gaffarel tomorrow and insult them, because even though I contacted them on recommendation of Mr Hall, they did not even deing replying.
I'll keep you informed anyway. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Bass player for Next (FR)
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360dave660
- Veteran RRF member
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- Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2002 5:00 pm
I bought one ric in france (360) and one over the internet from a us dealer (nolonger carrying rics) the 660. The Paris dealers are tough to deal with and Gaffarel (owned in part by marshall and korg), the French distributer, leave a lot to be desired. They still sell ric 230 hamburgs in their overall catalogue. I bought it at "La Centrale" in 98 - it was kind of a non event, that I would not repeat. at the time the Franc was stronger so, I got it for 8400 FRF. Today the 360 lists at 12.000 FRF(25% increase).
I have inquired about buying a 12 string ; Gaffarel has none, and have suggested to my new dealer, that I special order one, as they don't know when they will order new ones.
All of France is not awful for guitar dealerships. Jean you may want to bring your problem to Arpèges, at Nogent s/ Marne. They are professional and have competitive prices, even in comparison to the US.
Bon courage !
I have inquired about buying a 12 string ; Gaffarel has none, and have suggested to my new dealer, that I special order one, as they don't know when they will order new ones.
All of France is not awful for guitar dealerships. Jean you may want to bring your problem to Arpèges, at Nogent s/ Marne. They are professional and have competitive prices, even in comparison to the US.
Bon courage !
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anonymous
Bonne chance, Jean! I'm sorry to hear that it's so hard to deal with the retailers in France. This is when I feel lucky to be in Canada, where the customer has rights!( not that it's always easy but you usually get to the bottom of things). I sure hope that you can solve your problem, and that you finally get to enjoy your Ric at full extent!
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rogiercreemers
Jean,
strings of the same gauge can vary widely in tension on the neck, it sounds to me that the new strings you put on were of a much higher tension than the RIC strings. Original equipment RIC strings are pretty low tension. Also if a neck bows you need to turn the truss rod nuts until they are tight and then let it sit for a while, then tighten again, etc. If you force the truss rods this will happen, it sounds like the rods bent where the threaded part is, unless you screwed up the plate where they rest against, this is not a serious problem, just bend them back down with your nut driver.
I have seen Rics sit for a long time and gradually develop bows in their necks, I bought one a few years ago and gradually straightened it out.
I have become something of a tinkerer with Rics because of making mistakes (adjusting the neck too quickly, for example) just like you did, and have learned a lot about them in the process. I would get some light tension strings, put them on, and the neck might backbow, then you can loosen the truss rod nuts.
I've had that happen with 4001's and just bent them back, it is from too much tension too quickly, and even on 4003's I always release then tension by pulling the neck back as I adjust them, it just makes sense, the rods work much less when the tension is off them as you tighten them.
It doesn't sound like a hopeless situation to me, don't be afraid to experiment, just never force anything, and if you think it would be stupid to do it, it probably would be, so don't do it.
strings of the same gauge can vary widely in tension on the neck, it sounds to me that the new strings you put on were of a much higher tension than the RIC strings. Original equipment RIC strings are pretty low tension. Also if a neck bows you need to turn the truss rod nuts until they are tight and then let it sit for a while, then tighten again, etc. If you force the truss rods this will happen, it sounds like the rods bent where the threaded part is, unless you screwed up the plate where they rest against, this is not a serious problem, just bend them back down with your nut driver.
I have seen Rics sit for a long time and gradually develop bows in their necks, I bought one a few years ago and gradually straightened it out.
I have become something of a tinkerer with Rics because of making mistakes (adjusting the neck too quickly, for example) just like you did, and have learned a lot about them in the process. I would get some light tension strings, put them on, and the neck might backbow, then you can loosen the truss rod nuts.
I've had that happen with 4001's and just bent them back, it is from too much tension too quickly, and even on 4003's I always release then tension by pulling the neck back as I adjust them, it just makes sense, the rods work much less when the tension is off them as you tighten them.
It doesn't sound like a hopeless situation to me, don't be afraid to experiment, just never force anything, and if you think it would be stupid to do it, it probably would be, so don't do it.