GC Rickenbacker 4001S Special?

[jaymi]

I just checked one out at the Nashville GC store. Firstly, the 4001s is only available at the 'Platinum' GC stores.

Lightweight, and the matte finish is really nice. I was particularly impressed with the fretboard. It does sport a RIHS for those who pondered this appliance. Overall, I liked it. YMMV. I may take the posture that RIC may market a 1999, or a different 4001s variant than the GC styled reissue. But, admittedly I will have to ponder one of these, while not trying to be overly impulsive.

It is a fine and handsome instrument, and the matte finish is impressive. Again, the matte fretboard and back of the neck were quite appealing. I'd like to see the matte fretboard on any reissue of the 4001s. Some are saying 'collectors' piece, but it's definltely a player's bass.

I played this one today as well....what can I say? I was completely unimpressed. ESPECIALLY for the price tag. What Captain Bob said is correct. The only thing I will add is that the neck is incredibly large and the setup was horrid. After owning 118 Rick basses, I will continue to buy the older ones...questions? PM be glad to chat and explain

[eddied]

Well its official, Just called GC customer service, setting up return and refund for my 4001S Special. It is an embarrasment for the money and I don't really care who is offended by my comments. I could have bought 2 4003's for the price of this one gem. I'm disqusted that this bass left the factory set up in such a amaturerish way. I just want my money back and I'm done with these (Special) models. I highly suggest that no one does what I did and purchase one without trying it out. Many of the PM's to me and some of the posts support what I have told about the set up of the 4001S. A big disappointment for someone that absolutely adores Rickenbacker basses and will continue to after 40 years of owning and playing them.

[Lefty4003S8]

I have been following this thread closely and would like to say this........

While I am a HUGE fan of Rickenbacker guitars/basses...I am surprised they let this bass leave the factory in the condition outlined here!!!!
Rickenbacker has a GREAT reputation for quality and innovation. Given that, I would HOPE that they would WANT to know if/when there is
a problem and take steps to correct the situation.

Just my opinion.

Greg

[lucky]

I have been following this thread closely and would like to say this........

While I am a HUGE fan of Rickenbacker guitars/basses...I am surprised they let this bass leave the factory in the condition outlined here!!!!
Rickenbacker has a GREAT reputation for quality and innovation. Given that, I would HOPE that they would WANT to know if/when there is
a problem and take steps to correct the situation.

Just my opinion.

Greg

What happens to this bass now then? Does it go back to the factory fix what needs to be fixed, then go back to GC for sale again?

[eddied]

I'm not sure, but I made dam sure that it goes back exactly at it came. Exact packaging, no finger smudges on the chrome, tuned down a bit, and NEVER fill out that warranty card unless you are positive you are gonna keep it.
A side note here that i did not mention. When I went to GC to pick it up on Wed., I opened the box, slid it out and to my surprise, one of the latches on the grey retro case was broken. The little piece that stays in the lock on the spring part was missing, and the latch just stayed in the up position. IT WAS BROKEN. I called the salesman over and showed him He wasn't sure what to do so I told him to call the company customer service department. He did and got this reply.
"Once a customer purchases the instrument, it's their responsibility, not the company". I'm NOt making this up. I'm standing there with a $3300 bass with a very expensive retro case that has a broken latch, I haven't even opened the case to look at the bass and I'm told that it's MY responsibility. I should have just walked away then, but I didn't. My respect has turned to anger. Now that I have decided that I made a big mistake and this bass has serious flaws, please be careful if you plan on purchasing one. And right her in public I'm admitting that it was impulsive and the price tag is absolutely rediculous. As John (Lennon) once said "I should have known better". Mr Hall please investigate these basses as they start coming back to the factory. Those of us that love the product are mystified at how this got by, both price and quality wise. I got a message that another person played more than one and noticed the same flaws on each.

[geofio]

If Rickenbacker don't respond to this they will loose valuable customer's like myself and many others, this isn't good enough. i don't like this at all, i have had flaws with previous new ric basses and tended to ignore them but we shouldn't it ain't good enough, c'mon Rickenbacker start looking after your customers. Dont ever take us for granted.

[Kopfjaeger]

"Once a customer purchases the instrument, it's their responsibility, not the company".

Whoa, unacceptable! That is more like customer dis-service! What a kick to the groin that must have been!!

Sepp

[bassduke49]

Hang on a second here; is that RIC telling GC, or is that GC telling its store manager? And who is the "customer" here? If it is GC talking, the customer is you. If it is RIC talking, the customer is GC. This could be confusing.

[eddied]

It is NOT confusing. As soon as I slipped the case out of the cardboard shipping box, I noticed that the right side nap was broken, called the salesman back over showed him, told him to call Rickenbacker customer service and tell them what happened and what to do. I was standing right there!!! Customer service flat out said, it was NOT there responsibility once the customer buys it. I bought it from GC. It was shipped from WI to NH where I picked it up. Does it matterwho is considered the customer? The latch was defective, broken as well as the bass being set up horribly, as I have stated in my earlier posts. There is NO WAY to defend Rickenbacker on this one. NO WAY. they should have taken care of the problem. GC even asked if I wanted to wait while they located another bass, I said forget it, maybe i can fix the latch. Then I played it a little at the store. It seemed OK, but not a set=up that I thought a $3300 bas should have had. When I got it home, I began to notice all the other flaws and realized the defects that existed. This is the truth. These basses left the factory with many flaws. Check around and ask even some of these forum members.

[Cnote5280]

That sounds like a really bad experience. I got mine last week and it was in great shape. I did do a set-up when I changed the strings over to some TI's. I felt the fit and finish was on par with my 4003 JG and FG. I love the finish, as it does not show all the finger prints like a glow does.

[bassduke49]

Ease up, Ed. I just wanted to find out WHICH customer service you were talking about: GC's or RIC's. That's all.

[eddied]

Sorry Paul It's just that I'm so overwhelmed with the whole purchase situation that I keep feeling that I have to defend myself when this is clearly a retail, wholesale, or whatever blunder and customer service at the factory actually washed their hands and the bass hadn't even been played yet. Didn't mean to offend you, just stating the facts. To me it sounded like your post suggested defending our beloved company. In this case, I assure you, they can't be defended. go try one ou tPaul, you'll see for yourself. BTW I was a pre-order customer of your book and of course LOVE IT. On a lighter note, I have never seen a irst run V63 (84') FG like mine anywhere. The Fireglo is totally different from any other V63's from that early era. I believe I got the first batch sent out and it was purchaed in Salem Ma.

[sloop_john_b]

On a lighter note, I have never seen a irst run V63 (84') FG like mine anywhere. The Fireglo is totally different from any other V63's from that early era. I believe I got the first batch sent out and it was purchaed in Salem Ma.

pics?

[johnhall]

Customer service flat out said, it was NOT there responsibility once the customer buys it.

That's total baloney. Either you or GC can/could have returned this under the terms of the warranty- you said you have the warranty card and what it says there in black and white refutes your statement. Apparently you didn't hear whatever phone conversation there was yourself, which might have been useful.

Obviously we'd like to inspect this and compare our perceptions to yours on this and no doubt we'll have that opportunity soon.

[rickybla]

I purchased this bass (i will be returning it). Looks to me like the problem with the alignment of the strings and the wacky bridge saddle grooves is because the neck pickup was installed off-center (more towards the g string). I've looked at a number of the basses on the GC site and it seems like almost all have the same problem. Can anyone confirm?
Thx.