Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I bought my 360-12-TU sight unseen from a dealer in Ohio that had an ad in Vintage Guitar magazine. I had them replace the pick ups with toasters and to install a 12 saddle bridge. I swear that a guy I knew in a local band in the '70's had a Ric bass in turquoise, about the color of a BOSS CE-2 chorus pedal. That was the color I was expecting.
I'd corresponded with a customer service guy at RIC before I bought it and was assured that it was indeed "turquoise." I was real surprised when I unpacked it to see that it was a darker metallic color. More of a metallic aqua marine. I was kind of disapointed, but when I started showing the guitar around, everyone who saw it said, "That's the prettiest guitar I've ever seen." So, it grew on me. One thing that was wrong was that the dealer installed the bridge backwards with the adjustment screws facing forward rather then to the rear. Since the saddles were notched for that direction, I couldn't just flip the bridge. When I had my local luthier set it up for me, I had to buy another 12 saddle bridge because buying the saddles alone was nearly as expensive as the bridge. But overall, I really love this guitar. My suggestion to anyone buying online or from a dealer in another state or country, is to communicate. Get pictures ask a lot of questions. But I think you'll end up happy.

I've only been burned once with a sight unseen Ric, it was from Rockblock Guitars in Tenn.They had a low sn 4001CS for a very reasonable price, they forgot to mention that the neck was so bowed it couldn't be played. But other than that I've never had a problem with any Ric and I've owned quite a few of them for over 20 yrs.

I have to say that I've never tried out any of my thirty six guitars. I've never even test driven any of the cars I've ever bought. Women are a different story.

Where do you buy your women, Joe?
-wink- Noel

Yeah, Joe, Where?

Well, I just tried out a 1992 620/12 at Voltage Guitars in Hollywood, and got a parking ticket in the process. Very small neck. I can't figure why they're made so small. Body size was nice. But I couldn't play the neck. The owner of the shop said I should try a Fender 12 string. I told him no, I won't. Any one know of a store with a 660/12 I could try out in the So.Cal area?

3 Rics (2 ordered from the factory, 1 bought off the wall and over the phone) and I have never been mislead or disappointed.

Well, If San Francisco is worth the trip, Haight Ashbury Music Center had a 660/12 as of 10 days ago. Unfortunately I had to run before I had the chance to plug it in

Wormdiet,
Thanks. But dang, that's a drive!!! Uh, do you know their number?

Jerry, on the plus side, HAM is a great store, biggest in Bay Area outside of GC.

Haight-Ashburry Music
1540 Haight St.
San Francisco CA 94117
415-863-7327

What he said. . . .

I live in NOrth Carolina, so your drive might be a little shorter than mine

I bought my 4003 Sea Green over the phone from The Guitar Hanger. Totally satisfied with my purchase, after a setup it plays like butter. My luthier told me it was his experience that some 4003s are really great players and easy to setup, and others are difficult to play and setup. He said I got a good one, that he considered it a "don't ever sell" bass. I agree. I got lucky I guess.

My experience is similar to that of Mr. Green. The tech who set up my (second) 2002 turquoise 4003 told me the same. He photographed it because it was the only Ric bass he'd ever worked on which was intonated properly out of the box.

One afternoon my wife and I were in the car driving along when, out of my eye, I caught sight of a new music store. I knew I had to go in there and investigate. On the wall was a beautiful jetglo 360/12. After playing it for a while, my wife and I left. I couldn't get it out of my mind. It felt and played beautifully. After a while my wife said, "Why don't you just go get it?" I didn't have to ask her to repeat it. I bought it new for $900 (including tax).

Another time, I was picking up some music for one of my guitar students, when I spotted that shiny, new jetglo 4003 on the wall. I loved it at first play. I asked if they'd sell it, along with the case for $800, including tax? When the salesperson said, "Okay", I couldn't pass it up. It's my main bass.

My 325V63 was special ordered. I'd never seen or played one before. It took less than two weeks. Turns out, the local Ric sales rep had a brand new one in his possession. I purchased it for $1400 (includin tax). The short scale definately throws me off, but I mainly bought it for that "Lennon" vibe.

Buying without trying.. I got a very nice 4003JG with black trim, hardware from www.The-Music-Connection.com after reading of positive experiences with him/them (Mike Parks, I believe the name is). I called, asked about the 4003 that I liked from the website.. was given a very accurate description. He shipped it quickly and now it is one of my two most favourite Ricks of the two that I own. Would definitely do it again! I hope I do so soon! But, please don't buy the one I want.