To open or not to open (the case)

[jingle_jangle]

Jeez, Bert, it sounds like it was a major disappointment, but also sounds like far from "unplayable". A competent repair person should be able to dial in everything but the finish. And the finish was far from perfect to begin with. Truss rod rattle is a bit of fiddling, mute is parts, pickup is not so hot but could be something as simple as a broken wire or switch that needs cleaning or a bit of a bend.

[kiramdear]

It sounds like everything except the finish can be put right without too much trouble. You just have to live with the checking, I guess. I never bought a guitar without holding and playing it, and I guess this is the reason why.
Ebay is full of stinkers.

[berth]

Jeez, Bert, it sounds like it was a major disappointment, but also sounds like far from "unplayable". A competent repair person should be able to dial in everything but the finish. And the finish was far from perfect to begin with. Truss rod rattle is a bit of fiddling, mute is parts, pickup is not so hot but could be something as simple as a broken wire or switch that needs cleaning or a bit of a bend.

Thanks for your positive remarks Paul! It was indeed a disappointment. Offcourse I hoped everything would end better than in the bad pictures..

I've been reading the Ebay site a lot today and what I can tell I could file a complaint with best posible outcome being a full refund and sending the bass back. Partial refunds is not an option I read. I guess taking my loss and make the best of it is the best option. I don't see much change of getting another MID/BT/FL any other way (Has anyone seen one before?) so sending it back for a refund is not really an option for me...... I trust my luthier with all except Rickenbacker finish jobs. So I'll take it to him. And maybe someday in the future I'll get it refinished with a MID which is nearer to the other one.

[kiramdear]

When you're ready for a refin, Paul W. is THE man to see, Bert.

[berth]

When you're ready for a refin, Paul W. is THE man to see, Bert.

I know. He makes me like colors I dont even like.

[jps]

Bert, the tailpiece lift is similar to that on my July '73 4001, which has not budged since I got it in February of '03, so don't let that bother you. It has no real affect on tone as it sounds very similar to my March '73 4001 with the old solid tailpiece; both sound awesome.

[johnallg]

Bert, for the taillift, pull the tailpiece out, take a board wide enough and about a foot long and rout a recess similar to the bass one, then bolt the tailpiece to the board through the mute adjust screw holes so the tail is a bit higher up than normal, then get a couple clamps (protect the finish!) and start slowly forcing the tail down over the course of a few days or so. Do it too fast and you will bend the sides of the tailpiece. You will be able to get it to almost flat - you need to overbend it as it will "spring" back up a bit without clamps. Then I highly recommend drilling two holes in the endplate for extra screws to eliminate taillift.

There is a thread from myself and also one from Gary Clausen on how to do this. I followed Gary's directions as he was the trailblazer on this. Message me your email and I will send Gary's written procedure, hole template, and pictures.

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks, Bert, for the nice comment!

I think that, cooler heads prevailing, you have a VERY rare bass that can be made playable without major work or expense.

Kira, I've bought MOST of my Rick collection, all of my Gretsches except two, all of my Fenders except one, and the majority of my oddball guitars, not to mention all of my keyboards and half my amps, from vendors on Ebay.

The three times I've been dissatisfied with what I was sent, I politely asked for my money back and received it.

I've been burned twice, for a total of about $600.00. And I continue to prowl the 'Bay, though not quite as aggressively as before.

[johnallg]

And I continue to prowl the 'Bay, though not quite as aggressively as before.

Not much left you need, is there?!

[jps]

And I continue to prowl the 'Bay, though not quite as aggressively as before.

Not much left you need, is there?!

What's the point of living if there is nothing left to buy?

[kiramdear]

Thanks, Bert, for the nice comment!

I think that, cooler heads prevailing, you have a VERY rare bass that can be made playable without major work or expense.

Kira, I've bought MOST of my Rick collection, all of my Gretsches except two, all of my Fenders except one, and the majority of my oddball guitars, not to mention all of my keyboards and half my amps, from vendors on Ebay.

The three times I've been dissatisfied with what I was sent, I politely asked for my money back and received it.

I've been burned twice, for a total of about $600.00. And I continue to prowl the 'Bay, though not quite as aggressively as before.

I've bought only infrequently and it was always a personal, subjective choice, kinda like falling in love. Maybe I should have been cross when Gary aced me out of a '73 4001CBFG on the bay for a grand, but I wasn't because I liked what he grandly offered me out of good will, even better when I played it. Not as desirable, maybe, but my '77 Walnut feels so right to me. I'm strictly a player. Your success rate speaks of your skill, shrewdness and experience with so many great specimens in person, and that you know what to look for in the photos and sellers.
Stinkers aside, for me it would be like ordering a mail-order bride. Maybe I played one like it but just because her sister is nice... in the end it's completely subjective for me and ebay is too abstract a tool for making an important choice like my only new guitar for the next decade. Sometimes I think it would be cool to have so many guitars but in reality I get very uncomfortable having stuff I'm not using. Not the ideal collector mindset
But, happy hunting, Paul!

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks, Bert, for the nice comment!

I think that, cooler heads prevailing, you have a VERY rare bass that can be made playable without major work or expense.

Kira, I've bought MOST of my Rick collection, all of my Gretsches except two, all of my Fenders except one, and the majority of my oddball guitars, not to mention all of my keyboards and half my amps, from vendors on Ebay.

The three times I've been dissatisfied with what I was sent, I politely asked for my money back and received it.

I've been burned twice, for a total of about $600.00. And I continue to prowl the 'Bay, though not quite as aggressively as before.

I've bought only infrequently and it was always a personal, subjective choice, kinda like falling in love. Maybe I should have been cross when Gary aced me out of a '73 4001CBFG on the bay for a grand, but I wasn't because I liked what he grandly offered me out of good will, even better when I played it. Not as desirable, maybe, but my '77 Walnut feels so right to me. I'm strictly a player. Your success rate speaks of your skill, shrewdness and experience with so many great specimens in person, and that you know what to look for in the photos and sellers.
Stinkers aside, for me it would be like ordering a mail-order bride. Maybe I played one like it but just because her sister is nice... in the end it's completely subjective for me and ebay is too abstract a tool for making an important choice like my only new guitar for the next decade. Sometimes I think it would be cool to have so many guitars but in reality I get very uncomfortable having stuff I'm not using. Not the ideal collector mindset
But, happy hunting, Paul!

And to you as well, Kira. I suppose I was being a bit too emphatic in my above post. What I meant was: Ebay can be a good experience, all in all.

I empathize with your methodology, and your personal relationship with your "children". My perceptions and way of experiencing things is odd to some. My senses (being synesthetic) overload my brain and schedule to the point that I neglect to practice my chops...People ask, "how long have you been playing?", and my pat answer is, "six days spread out over the past 45 years"...

[kiramdear]

Well, we should get together and jam then. You're missing at least half the fun of owning a Rick

[zarezare]

Open the case ASAP (moisture caused by different temperature)...

[Chris P]

Beatiful bass, Berth, but the troubles are a pity... I hope it'll be a nice bass soon.