FINALLY!! 4004L BBR - Your thoughts, please

[rickenbrother]

Has anyone considered that the routes for the pickups are purposely larger to compensate for seasonal contraction/expansion of the wood?

That's an excellent conclusion you've come to Erik. If the wood expands, the finish won't marred by the pickup cover.

[tennis_nick]

Has anyone considered that the routes for the pickups are purposely larger to compensate for seasonal contraction/expansion of the wood?

That's an excellent conclusion you've come to Erik. If the wood expands, the finish won't marred by the pickup cover.

That's a good theory, anyone who ever lived in an old wooden house knows how much wood expands with the weather.

[paologregorio]

It's not censorship. We've all seen the pics and nothing is getting pulled. It's not censorship to ask us to defer discussion of a customer service issue until it's resolved, it's just the courteous thing to do

It is if smeone asked that and you were answering them because that post is now gone.

It depends on what one says when answering and more specifically how it's said; every forum has its rules, and if a post is pulled, it's because the rules were violated. We all read to and agree to the rules for posting when we join. If there's a dispute over one's post content being pulled, it should be taken up with the moderator who pulled the post in a PM.

As for the bass, I couldn't tell the rout was poking out past the foam p/u spacer, but pictures don't always show what's up. If it's a manufacturing defect, ditto what everyone else said; return it or contact RIC customer service as the first step.

[wints]

After three plus years, it's finally here. It's beautiful. But my eye continues to be drawn to the routes for the bridge pickup. I'd be curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

Here's the opening posting from Mike, asking for objective comment about the routs on his new bass. Now, does that mean only positive comments can be posted? Should a member even post a question where a perceived RIC negative could be implied? Can members even discuss a topic if RIC customer service may be involved?

If members can't post an opinion here, that is properly delivered, even if it is a perceived negative, we have to evaluate this whole forum. Open debate is essential for growth and transparency, and this forum, like any other, will be stronger for it.

[incubus2432]

I haven't seen a negative spin on any of this.....just an open discussion of a perceived problem initiated by the owner of a lovely new Laredo. JH may prefer people to contact customer service first but if the new owner of an instrument wants opinions before going that route then I think that is his right. Things do seem to be a little to "drink the Kool-Aid" around here lately (IMO). I expect my true friends to be honest with me....good or bad. We do RIC, JH and ourselves a disservice to not treat them the same.....as long as it's done with honesty and respect.

As far as the comment that the routes may be a bit oversized to allow for wood expansion/contraction......that would be fine and understandable but the routes, from the views pictured, appear to be unevenly done as well. Not to say that the bass doesn't look fantastic....it certainly does and if it were mine the "issues" wouldn't keep me from enjoying it. Nothing a little blood won't hide.

[kiramdear]

If it was me, I wouldn't worry about asking my friends here if I should send an instrument back or not. That's supported here, I believe.

From a positive viewpoint (and what's wrong with positivity; here's a gorgeous bass and no crime has been committed) I'd like to offer one small idea: I could see a little jewelry-like silver or gold frame around the lip of the cavity, fashioned from "L" stock and polished or plated, top edge just wide enough to forgive any slight variations in the routing. It would unify it visually, and needn't be irreversible.

[johnallg]

Thank you Mr. Wints and Mr. Incubus.

RIC routs the pickup openings a tad oversize to allow the pickups to be adjusted and allow them to move in the openings. My 4004C has the same look (oversized) and even then if not adjusted evenly they can become stuck in the rout. BUT, the rout should be even and straight. And the dark edge paint is an issue.

That said, it is a stunning bass with really nice maple, and if it were mine, considering I waited that long and how often they make a run of Laredos, I'd probably keep it after much internal wrestling.

Kudos Mike - enjoy it.

[nukebass]

I haven't seen a negative spin on any of this.....just an open discussion of a perceived problem initiated by the owner of a lovely new Laredo. JH may prefer people to contact customer service first but if the new owner of an instrument wants opinions before going that route then I think that is his right. Things do seem to be a little to "drink the Kool-Aid" around here lately (IMO). I expect my true friends to be honest with me....good or bad. We do RIC, JH and ourselves a disservice to not treat them the same.....as long as it's done with honesty and respect.

You've noticed that, too?

I did the same thing when I got my 650D from Musiciansfriend. That was my first new guitar and I really wasn't certain if I was being too picky about it. There were some minor scratches from one of the knobs bouncing around the case and some good advice from the forum was that I should get a perfectly new guitar. I sent it back and, because they were out of Ds, got a S from another dealer. I wanted to make sure I wasn't being too picky before bothering somebody else.

This thread has given me something to look for when I get my Cii, since I imagine the routes are the same. This "issue" only exists, I think, because RIC hasn't put the extra chrome around their pickups to cover any route variation in an effort (I would imagine) to make the front as sleek looking as possible. From any normal distance, the bass looks fantastic, even if you know the route variation. Those of us who examine our instruments to the micrometer may pick up (no pun intended) on variations, but nobody's going to notice if it isn't pointed out.

[aceonbass]

If I got a new RIC or new "whatever" I wouldn't need anyone else's opinion to sway me one way or the other as to whether I should return it or not. My eye is drawn to stuff like this, so I would come up with a fix or call customer service, but I would not go public with it. It's just not a good idea. Those of us that were here during the 4004Cii5 pickup fiasco will remember the results of that exercise in free speech. No one's been censored and I think everything that can be said about the route has been said. If I could find the "dead horse" icon, I'd use it. Do a 4003 cosmetic conversion on it like I did my Loredo and you won't be able to tell.

[incubus2432]

I got a PM from Joey explaining that there was an over the top post that I missed so I trust that he did the right thing as a moderator of a public forum. And I'll leave it at that. Cheers Joey!

Back to the original topic.....I've owned more than a few 4004's and have never found the routes to be oversized (usually quite tight actually) and checking the only two I have left ('03 LK and '05 Laredo) the routes are reasonably snug and uniform. Hmmmmm.

[jps]

Here you go, Dane. Take your pick.

[incubus2432]

Wow.....one question, some observations and opinions and we're beating a dead horse at only 4 pages?

.....back to the GN, SFN and iPhone boards.

[aceonbass]

I guess I'm one of those people who only need to hear/read something once to get the point and say "next". I still think this matter should have been taken up with RIC customer service first. I used to be into one of the GN boards, but what's SFN?

[teeder]

I see no issue with the original post. Had it been my bass I would have been curious if this was common route quality too, and this is a great source of knowledge to answer that question.

It is one of the best looking basses I've seen though!

[vito]

Well, this has been quite the interesting thread. Thanks everyone, once again, for your thoughts. I have decided on a course of action and I am currently pursuing it. It is quite apparent that I should leave it at that. Thanks.