'21 4003 top coat chipping

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LowEndOperative
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'21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by LowEndOperative »

I noticed this roughly a week ago on my 4003, the top coat is chipping off on the treble side of the neck binding; I've heard that this is a common problem and since the bass is still under warranty I'd like it repaired/replaced. Purchased from Wildwood 1/22, called them, they recommended contacting Ric; emails to Ric service are as of yet unanswered. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to how this might be resolved?
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Dirk
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by Dirk »

Spot refinishing would be the only choice I know of.

By the way, you don't by any chance wear a wedding ring on your left hand do you?

Good luck,
Dirk
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lumgimfong
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by lumgimfong »

Is this one of the new unfinished fingerboards?
LowEndOperative
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by LowEndOperative »

Dirk wrote: Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:35 am Spot refinishing would be the only choice I know of.

By the way, you don't by any chance wear a wedding ring on your left hand do you?

Good luck,
Dirk
Not at the moment.
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by LowEndOperative »

lumgimfong wrote: Sat Apr 16, 2022 10:50 am Is this one of the new unfinished fingerboards?
The fingerboard is indeed unfinshed.
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Dirk
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by Dirk »

Ah yeah I forgot about the new non coated fingerboards.

Perhaps the non coated fingerboard edge is where the chipping is starting.

Did you play it with a ring on at any point?
That would be the only thing I could think of to cause it.
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espidog
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by espidog »

I'm in the UK - the laws on returning faulty goods may be different where you live - but over here, if you buy an item from a dealer and that item develops a fault while under warranty, it's the dealer's responsibility to provide the solution, either repair, replacement or a refund. I'd say that by telling you to contact RIC directly when the item is still under warranty, Wildwood is fobbing you off.
2004 4003 JetGlo
Epiphone Jack Casady
Ovation Magnum 1
Mania VTB-4BS
Dean Stylist w/ John Birch Magnum II pups
Yamaha BB414
Trace Elliot VA350/GP11 Mk1
Peavey TB-Raxx
2 BFM Omni 10.5 crossfire cabs
Roland Bass Cube 100
teeder
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by teeder »

Dirk wrote: Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:35 am Spot refinishing would be the only choice I know of.

By the way, you don't by any chance wear a wedding ring on your left hand do you?

Good luck,
Dirk
Does wearing a ring void the warranty?
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Dirk
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by Dirk »

Not sure, but certainly it could cause it, especially with the fingerboard being uncoated.
That would make it easy to grab the edge and help chip it.

Seems to me if the place you got it from won't help, then Ric is the ultimate solution.

Good luck,
Dirk
teeder
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by teeder »

Sorry, my comment was more of a smart a$$ remark. Not really a question.

Seems to be a n awful lot of finish issues through the years.
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jdogric12
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by jdogric12 »

I'd pick up the phone and call RIC during their business hours. I imagine they get flooded with all kinds of idiotic emails and with limited staff it wouldn't be hard to get lost in all that noise. Plus, the clock is ticking, as the finish is only 1 year of warranty; the rest of the instrument is the 5 year thing.
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by LowEndOperative »

jdogric12 wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 9:09 am I'd pick up the phone and call RIC during their business hours. I imagine they get flooded with all kinds of idiotic emails and with limited staff it wouldn't be hard to get lost in all that noise. Plus, the clock is ticking, as the finish is only 1 year of warranty; the rest of the instrument is the 5 year thing.
After a second email, they finally got back to me, it's on it's way to Santa Ana. I read somewhere that instead of fixing the finish flaws that Ric transfers the electronics and hardware onto another body. I could live with that.
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jdogric12
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by jdogric12 »

Yep, definitely more efficient to do that (serious, having stripped several guitars myself - not fun)
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by LowEndOperative »

Got it back Saturday; they apparently did a whole body refinish, and I now have stickers on the pickguard too
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espidog
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Re: '21 4003 top coat chipping

Post by espidog »

Stickers on the pickguard, eh... makes me wonder if they didn't just put your serial # jackplate on a brand new bass. :wink:
2004 4003 JetGlo
Epiphone Jack Casady
Ovation Magnum 1
Mania VTB-4BS
Dean Stylist w/ John Birch Magnum II pups
Yamaha BB414
Trace Elliot VA350/GP11 Mk1
Peavey TB-Raxx
2 BFM Omni 10.5 crossfire cabs
Roland Bass Cube 100
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