Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

+1 Bill
I've posted before about factory finish issues. I've got several of them. Personally, it doesn't bother me all that much....the instruments are so gorgeous and wonderful.....a few blemishes doesn't hurt all that much IMHO. We're talking about human beings here, not machine made guitars so it's bound to happen.

I honestly have never seen a guitar that was flawless. They all have a little something to them that's unique. But that's something that I kind of like about them. Rics are not computers or plastic or mass produced. They're all unique in their own way. As everybody knows, you can buy ten of any guitar model, in the same finish, hardware configuration, etc., and not one of them is going to be exactly like the other. I find that particularly exciting about them. I think it's the little things that make them unique and give them personality.

However, if I bought a very expensive guitar, such as a Ric, I would be a little disappointed if there was a major flaw, but something little I could let slide. You can expect minor problems from any company, not just the ones that do all the work by hand.

I have a couple little things here and there on my basses - but they are my things... a smudg under the clear coat of some kind but it's MINE all mine!! The only real quality issue I have with my Rics is my playing of them. Not enough playing and not playing them well enough....

I've never known this board to have rules or even suggestions about not complaining about Rickenbacker guitars or RIC itself. As long as it is productive and not inappropriate, and no ill-will is intended, then everyone can learn from the discussion.

As mentioned, every company has some sort of QC issues, and I'd bet that over-all, RIC has fewer than the average guitar manufacturer, just based on the personal/hands-on approach of management. I've seen far more blemished Gibson's than I have Rickenbacker's.

I know it is a long wait to receive an ordered guitar, but I'd be reluctant to accept one that didn't meet my full expectations. If you accept it, then it's basically yours. It might be easier for the dealer to get the problem fixed before you accept the guitar than going through RIC service yourself. I would have to imagine that the dealer wouldn't be so happy with a major finish flaw, either.

Rkbsound: You are exactly right. It is all about the manner in which things are said and the spirit that lies beneath the question in the first place. We are all the better for meaningful discussion that is appropriate.

If you choose to live with the minor finish flaw, then so be it. If not, I would also strongly recommend you contact the customer service at RIC. Please let us know how your experience with this issue turns out. I would love to hear a positive outcome for you. Good luck.

I'm with Bill on this. When you wait up 25 months for a guitar(as did I)
you don't want to get one you'll have to send back and wait again for however long....
And with list prices on premium models going above and beyond $3000, this is utterly
wrong.

There is one company who is making their Historic Re-issues flawed on purpose;
to make them EXACTLY as they came of the line in 1959(or any of the other golden years)
but Rickenbacker has not made this claim.

Greg, I can see by your avatar...you've been working out.