Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello all and thanks for letting me join in.

I've tried my first Ric 6 years ago at a recording session and I was so thrilled by the instrument that I have dreamt of owning one ever since. I've regularly and religiously been to music stores just to play one since that major event in my life. Finally, a relative of mine has agreed to offer me the bass of my dreams for two birthdays and a christmas , a stunning Midnight Blue 4003.

Being unable to find the instrument sporting the right finish in shops around where I live in Paris, I reluctantly ordered one through the biggest online store I could think of, that is the german website Thomann. It's really sad I cannot try the instrument before buying it, but Rickenbacker really has a record of producing high quality intruments so I'm sure I won't be disappointed. And I desperately want that blue finish !

My question is : how long a delay should I expect before the instrument will be shipped ? I ordered the bass in september, and despite contacting the store many times, they could not give any shipping date estimation.

Also, is there any way to bypass the store and get some information on the status of my order directly from Rickenbacker ?

Thanks by advance

Pfe

Check out my band : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_8IyOIblOI
(the bass is not mine, I don't like sunburst finishes and I don't like humbuckers, but I'm stuck with that)

Jean-Marie,

First off welcome to the RRF! You'll find this the a first class forum and full of the best knowledge of Rickenbacker instruments.

Over the past several years RIC (Rickenbacker) has been using CNC machining so your bass should feel pretty much like the one you played. Instruments being produced are still hand build but but for the most part they are very consistent. I'm pretty sure Midnight blue is a stock finish but Instruments seem to be made in batches at RIC. They'll produce a bunch of 4003's and then they will produce a bunch of guitars. RIC seems to always have no stock in the warehouse. Demand always seems to exceed supply,

Since you are located in Europe, your instrument is not covered by the factory warranty. Your distributor is responsible for any issue you may have so make sure your new bass is 100% acceptable to you. While I find vintage Rickenbacker's more attractive, RIC puts out a nice product My newest RIC bass is a 2011 and it is is a fine instrument.

If I can give you any advice, become very familiar with how your your instrument works. Get comfortable with making minor adjustments to her. You should be comfortable with things like truss rod adjustments. The members of this forum can pretty much walk you you through every thing you should be aware of.

Sepp

Pretty variable on delivery times. I recall people waiting YEARS for the 75th anniversary and Lemme 4004 models. In about 2001 I put in an order for a 650 Dakota and was told "6 to 8 months". I got a call 2 weeks later that it was at the guitar store.

As for buying sight unseen - I've done it twice - that 650 (which had some electrical issues) and a 4004 Laredo (which was, and still is, absolutely perfect). But the 650 is still a great guitar, not disappointed in it, but it didn't displace my 66 Fender Mustang as my #1 guitar, and I did have to replace a bad pickup (the other PU had been wired wrong, so for the first few years I was disappointed in the tone, but that is great now).

Is Thomann even an authorized dealer? The answer to that question is the same as to delivery- I don't know, as our international distributors decide which of their dealers get what and when.

But it's odd that you don't find them in France as for the last few years we've been shipping many, many instruments to ALGAM in France, many more than have gone to Germany.

IMO, RIC has done a great job balancing their Demand and Supply over the recent years. You can go to a number of on-line dealers and find available inventory - this was not the case a few years ago.

Now living in Germany, I took interest in the dealer you mentioned, so I had a look.

If you have some flexibility in colour, you can grab yourself a limited 4003 SnoGlo - they have one in stock ready to ship...

have to it

cheers

Sorry, only blue will do. It has the kind of oneiric vibe I need to feel with an instrument that I will keep and use very often for a very long time.

It's true that I have not searched through many online stores, but I don't know many of them. I have received private messages pointing to such websites, but none of them offered the required finish. If anyone can point out a dealer that has the instrument I want, I will gladly order from them.

I will probably end up buying one on eBay I guess...

edski wrote:YEARS

Oh my

Are you prepared to purchase from the UK?

Maybe these guys have one - at least they say 3-5 days.
http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Rickenb ... -504003MID

Alternatively, there are many other retailers, small and large, in the UK that have them advertised on their sites. Whether they have them in stock, is another matter. A possible solution, assuming your English is ok (and it looks as though it is), it to call some of the smaller music retailers that advertise. They have brick and mortar shops and you can purchase direct from them if they have it in stock. I purchased my Midnight Blue that way, unfortunately the retailer does not advertise online anymore.

pfelelep wrote:

edski wrote:YEARS

Oh my

But those were special editions. Can't recall how many 75th Anniversary 4003's were made, but it was a rather low number. I think there were only 60 4004LK's made - and RIC had an issue with the carving process IIRC (it was NOT CNC...)

As others have said, it seems there are usually some in stock lately with the authorized dealers, at least here in the USA.

edski wrote:

pfelelep wrote:

edski wrote:YEARS

Oh my

But those were special editions. Can't recall how many 75th Anniversary 4003's were made, but it was a rather low number. I think there were only 60 4004LK's made - and RIC had an issue with the carving process IIRC (it was NOT CNC...)

As others have said, it seems there are usually some in stock lately with the authorized dealers, at least here in the USA.

Fittingly, 75 of the 75th Ann. 4003 were made.

Yes, RIC had trouble with the LK, just finding someone to reproduce the design(s) within an economical period of time was spread out over at least three craftsmen and a period of at least six years.

edski wrote:Can't recall how many 75th Anniversary 4003's were made, but it was a rather low number.

IIRC, 75 of each model were offered, 60 for NA dealers and 15 for rest of world.

On a totally different note,I really enjoyed the music video you linked! Sounds like rock n roll!

woodyng wrote:On a totally different note,I really enjoyed the music video you linked! Sounds like rock n roll!

Glad you enjoyed it. Picture this played on a Ric ! I will definitely be able to fine-tune my effects so that one will be able to feel all the bass' sound quality. Fortunately the record is not under production yet so I might have a chance with re-recording the songs with the 4003.
Here's one more video (sorry the sound is totally out of sync) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqTL9pC8z3c

And a blog on which you can find 2 other songs in MP3 format. Self recorded but not really properly mixed yet. http://starvationonthebeach.wordpress.com

Fretjob wrote:Maybe these guys have one - at least they say 3-5 days.
http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Rickenb ... -504003MID

Interesting, I will inquire after them on whether they actually have it in stock or not. I tried ordering one from a UK shop 2 years ago just to be answered that the item was not in stock. They had removed the page from their website in the meanwhile. I had a refund.

Chasing after online stores, hunting on eBay... Damn, one must deserve his new instrument

johnhall wrote:But it's odd that you don't find them in France as for the last few years we've been shipping many, many instruments to ALGAM in France, many more than have gone to Germany.

This is what I get from the biggest online dealer associated with ALGAM : 4003FG, 4003JG, 4003MG, and 4003RBW. Of course MB is not even available. Doesn't seem like a very popular finish, which makes me want it even badder.

I'm getting my money back and ordering one from eBay, if the vendor has a decent rating there's not too much of a risk I guess. (Thanks user libratune for giving me an interesting eBay link)

pfelelep wrote:I'm getting my money back and ordering one from eBay, if the vendor has a decent rating there's not too much of a risk I guess. (Thanks user libratune for giving me an interesting eBay link)

Usually you'd be right but not always, as recent experience has unfortunately taught me.

On occasions, even "reputable" sellers or dealers can prove to be unreliable and untrustworthy, so make sure you ask all the relevant questions about the condition of the instrument before you commit yourself, then keep your fingers cross that when it arrives, its conditon matches what you were told or what the ad states.

Buyer beware.

Ash