Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's a thread where comments about Ric the company can be made. Usually, purchases go through a dealer, but most of us have dealt directly with Rickenbacker in some way, whether for parts or simply a phone call or two.

My intent for this thread is not to create a suck-up "Ric is so awsome" thread, nor is it to create a "Bash Ric" thread. Hopefully the comments (both positive and possibly critical) on this thread will aid Mr Hall and Ric Inc in creating an even better company.

I believe Ric Build quality is fantastic.

Some guy in a Shop in Scotland said it was poor and for the same money u could get a PRS. 1St of all that's bologna about the price and quality. 2nd i'd rather have a Ric.

I walked out.

But yeah, Build quality is superb. I'm tempted to buy a new ric everytime i see one. The only thing i dislike is the time it takes to get one if u order, but its understandable

I think we all agree that Ric guitars are great (or we probably wouldn't hang out here)... but do you have any experience dealing with the company itself?

Well they are great when i inquire via e-mail for technical questions, like about the new headstock or tuning or a lot of other stuff.

I've dealt personally with Rickenbacker and that Kenny Howes is a real jerk...

heeere we go.....

RIC internal ***** session alert!!!

I had some warranty work done on my 4003MID (sold) and customer service, turnaround and actual work performed was top notch.

I also had some dealings with several of the peeps at Ric when I found out I was getting my LK in time for the Columbus Confluence in May and must say that they went out of their way to help make sure I got it in time. I wish it didn't take so long for me to get it (there were legit production issues due to the carvings) but the way I was treated around delivery time more than makes up for any annoyance I had for waiting so long......and so does actually having it in my grubby mitts .

JH personally took care of an issue that I had awhile back. In manufacturing there is always going to be issues. The key to excellent customer service is all about recovery. The CEO of RIC personally resolving my issue – priceless…

How many CEOs regularly post on equivalent web sites ? None - thats how many !!
JH regularly contributes to this site, & also to the spangly new Ric site. I've had couple of queries which JH has answered promptly. This is a company that genuinely cares about its customer base !

For what its worth,I emailed ric about a rare spare part and they got back to me a week or so later with a helpful reply.

I've made inquiries directly to John Hall & had an answer that same day. Of the six basses I own, three of them are Ricks. There's just something special about them.

PS I've known Kenny Howes for almost 10 years & yes....he is a jerk.


But he has cool hair.






and the ladies dig him.




He likes good guitars too.





But a major jerk.

I once had a 4004CII where the neck warped. Ric sent me a new one 3 weeks later.

Anytime I had a question about a Ric guitar restoration that I was starting, or a general question about a pre-1970’s bass, JH took the time to get back to me, personally. Who else would do that????

The man, and the company, to me, appear to be extremely passionate about the art form of guitar building. I believe, to the point of sacrificing larger profit.

Yeah Kenny's a Jerk, but he works for RIC.

You know, I just picked up a Fodera bass and it's great but I pick up my Cii after playing it and it feels like home.

If you bass guys haven't gotten a Cii yet your missing something big

cheers from HK

Who's Kenny?