Typical Warranty Turnaround Time

[superdick2112]

Has anyone here ever had to send their bass back to Ric for warranty issues? If so, what is the typical turnaround time? I have a 4004Cii MG on layaway at Wildwood Guitars that was sent back (by Wildwood, who failed to get a return authorization code before sending it - Doh!) for a neck/truss rod issue, and supposedly it was repaired within 2 weeks, and has been sitting at the factory for a month now, waiting for Ric to be satisfied that the neck won't shift again. This seems unusual to me, and I am beginning to suspect that Ric was a bit peeved at Wildwood that the bass was returned without a return authorization. I emailed customer service to get an estimated completion date, and I recieved an email stating that customer service would answer my question within 24 hours - that was a month ago, and I have not heard anything yet. Any advice?

[windchimp]

Hmmm....the plot thickens

My recently acquired 4004Cii also came from Wildwood. It had to go back to the factory for "neck issues" as you put it - it was suffering from an underbow. I believe Wildwood sent all (or most) of their 4004's back to RIC at the time which was back in late March for this condition.

Fast forward to mid-May, when I received the word that mine was shipping. It seemed fine when I first got it, but darned if it doesn't seem to be going back to it's old ways. I am giving it some time to settle in before I decide what to do. If I have time this weekend I may throw a set of Rotos on there to see if the higher tension strings helps the neck flatten out.

Anyway, RIC may very well be holding on to this batch (which apparently yours is a part of) until they can safely determine whether the issue is fixed. I strongly doubt they are holding them hostage!

[superdick2112]

Thank you! I was not going to mention the batch issue on the public forums, but at least now I know I'm not alone. Sorry for your troubles - I very much empathize with you. Wildwood has a 4004Cii FG in stock (a repaired & returned one - the one Cassius reviewed) which they are holding for me in the event mine isn't up to par when it arrives, but I want my natural one! It played & sounded so good when I tried it out that I put money down within 10 minutes of playing it. It was on layaway for 3 months, and the day I went to pick it up was the day Wildwood discovered the entire batch (about a dozen)all had the same issue. I planned a vacation around playing my new bass on my birthday, but instead spent it (too late to cancel the vacation time with work) doing home improvement tasks - needless to say this was very dissappointing. I've owned over a dozen Rics over the years, and this is the first time I've ever had any kind of problem. Please keep me posted with how your bass is responding to neck adjustments. Thanks again, Super-D.

[cjj]

Hmmm, when were your 4004Cii's made? I bought a 4004Cii from Wildwood back in Feb., mine was made in Nov. 2008. So far I can't say I've had any neck problems, but I haven't even had time to look at it for the last 2 months or so. Maybe I should go check it...

[superdick2112]

CJ, as near as I can tell, they were made in late '08 or early '09. Wierdest thing I've ever seen - the necks were back-bowed, and remained that way even when the truss rods were completely loosened.

[windchimp]

Mine was born Nov (wk 46) '08. Truss rod nuts completely loose.

[cjj]

Interesting, mine's an 0846 too. I haven't checked the truss rods, but the neck seems nice & straight.

[windchimp]

Did you check it with a straight edge CJ?

[cjj]

Yes. There is a tiny amount of forward bow. With an 18 inch straight edge, it doesn't rub on the frets between the two ends, but you can't really tell that there's any space under it either.

Edit: I got curious and pulled the TRC. The nuts are nice and tight, maybe just a bit too tight given the tiny forward bow...

[superdick2112]

Cjj, glad to hear your neck is holding true - this gives me hope that the neck on mine can be repaired. I have to believe that Ric is just making sure the problem is resolved before they ship my bass - after all, Rickenbacker has a great reputation for quality control and customer service. Still, my faith in this particular bass has been shaken, and I may try and hunt down another 4004Cii. This is a difficult choice - my layaway MapleGlo has a stunning top, and I really just want it to be HERE and O.K. as soon as possible. Also, I got a really good price on mine (I have bought my fair share of basses and guitars from Wildwood), and I doubt another dealer could match the deal I got. Garrrgh!!!

[rickenbrother]

Richard, I'm sure is just as you have stated in your post that they are just making sure at RIC that they have resolved the problem with your Cii. If you got that nice of a deal on it, just be patient and when you get it back, you'll be satisfied and it will have been worth the wait.
If there is an issue of your bass not getting back fast enough because your dealer forgot about getting the RA first, I'm sure that will be resolved as well. I hope you get your Cii back soon.
I love the Cii basses and it seems they are finally getting into the hands of more players that would like to try something different. It will be nice to see more discussions about them on the forum as more people have them.

[superdick2112]

Joey, thanks for the kind words. I think your right - I did some soul-searching last night, and I have decided to wait for my Mapleglo. I have wanted a 4004Cii MG for a few years now, and I believe Ric can and will resolve any issues with my bass. Besides, I played about eight of them at Wildwood, and that one was "the one". If it takes a bit longer to get her, then so be it.

[rickenbrother]

Good decision, Richard!

[cassius987]

Most any warranty experience I had with RIC meant a two week turn around, tops.

The 4004Cii FG at Wildwood played and sounded as good as any other bass I've ever touched... nothing wrong with it but the slightest fret buzz. I hear worse fret buzz on basically EVERY Fender bass I ever play test, and those are gold standards right?? (Depends on who you ask but still.) So if nothing else THAT particular bass should get a gold stamp of approval.

[dcr]

I too have dealt with warranty, & the turnaround time was good. I suspect, with the others, that the factory is keeping an eye on these basses to be sure.

Otherwise, though, my experience is similar to the OP's in two ways. One, I too once emailed customer service about a defect, got the same automated reply, and never heard from them again. Fortunately my dealer also offered a warranty & issued me a refund, as the bass was defective. And two, I have had three 4004 basses--two from late '08 & one from early '09--and all 3 had issues. Two of them were neck issues, one with too much relief with rods maxed out & one with too little relief with rods all the way loose. (The remaining bass was part of the Great Pickup Cavity Fiasco of '08.)

I no longer own a 4004 bass.