Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

beatbyrd wrote:

cjj wrote:Well, it's MF's going rate. There are dealers who will actually deal and may sell you one for less than MF. It pays to check around and ask for a deal...

Hi, My two best recent guitar deals have been from MF (a Rick 360/12 FG and a Taylor solid body custom - walnut). Both guitars were priced way lower than anyplace else I could find. Both guitars look and play beautifully. MF customer service has been great, also. YMMV. Tom

That's good to know. I don't want the small Dealer to nick me. In the same respect- I understand he needs to make a profit. If he's willing to take care of me. I don't mind him being a tad higher. If they aren't going to do anything but ship it to me. I might as well save the money and buy from MF.

Why not skip the drama and do your own setup?

Clint,

More power to you for having the balls to do your own setups. I have plenty of friends who do the same. But my philosophy is to make music and leave the headache of setups to a trusted guitar tech. Because Ricks are such a time investment to restring, I even have my tech change strings on my 330/12. I do business with a local mom and pop store who always undercharge me for setups. To each his own!

Robert

Folkie wrote:Clint,

More power to you for having the balls to do your own setups. I have plenty of friends who do the same. But my philosophy is to make music and leave the headache of setups to a trusted guitar tech.

While I have set up many a Rick myself it's more convenient to have a Dealer do it. Not to mention if it's the right Dealer their price is better than Musiciansfriend. MF IMO is somewhat like a Walmart. I wouldn't be surprised that with the buying power they have they beat the Manufacturer up on costs.

Because Ricks are such a time investment to restring

Clint or anyone else reading this. Ricks are a breeze to restring if you use a capo around the 12th fret or so. Pull a string through -make sure to keep the bridge level. Attach a capo to hold the string down. Now you have 2 hands free the tailpiece stays in place as well. I normally do the outer strings first. If you use this method you'll never dread a Rick string replacement again. I can restring a Rick just as quickly as any fix bridge guitar. In fact the capo helps there as well. Try it you'll like it.

Bruce,

Thanks for the advice. Even Roger McGuinn says it takes him a full hour to restring, but your method sounds like it saves a lot of time. I believe you're the first to mention this method on the Forum (although I've only been on for about a year). Thanks again!

Robert

MyBBruce wrote: Clint or anyone else reading this. Ricks are a breeze to restring if you use a capo around the 12th fret or so. Pull a string through -make sure to keep the bridge level. Attach a capo to hold the string down. Now you have 2 hands free the tailpiece stays in place as well. I normally do the outer strings first. If you use this method you'll never dread a Rick string replacement again. I can restring a Rick just as quickly as any fix bridge guitar. In fact the capo helps there as well. Try it you'll like it.

Well...thanks, an easier way for me is to stuff a cotton cloth between the R tailpiece and the guitar's top. This holds the string in place and I don't have to keep fiddling with the capo.

Folkie wrote:Clint,

More power to you for having the balls to do your own setups. I have plenty of friends who do the same. But my philosophy is to make music and leave the headache of setups to a trusted guitar tech. Because Ricks are such a time investment to restring, I even have my tech change strings on my 330/12. I do business with a local mom and pop store who always undercharge me for setups. To each his own!

Robert

+1

I can add Old Boise Guitar Shop to the list of good RIC dealers.

I bought my c63 from them, came set up perfectly and the price was good, too.

I also use a capo when I re-string.

beatlefreak wrote:You can't go wrong with Pick of the Ricks.

I recieved a used 4003 that needed a neck adjustment before I could play it.It was,however, easy to do.
I
Edit:it had non factory flats on it and the neck had back bowed.

One mans setup is another mans disaster.

The best piece of advice I can offer is to learn to do your own set-ups. Its time well spent and you will save a fortune over the years.

cheyenne wrote:....The best piece of advice I can offer is to learn to do your own set-ups. Its time well spent and you will save a fortune over the years.

what Scott says! Plus you can get the instrument zeroed into how you play... Also if you need a tweek or two just before a gig - no problem!

eljayski wrote:willcutts is good, too. two purchases, two great experiences.

Willcutts pricing was better than MF's plus they know how to work with Rics..