Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

title says it all. anyone know any online shops that deliver fast (to california), package well, and is overall a good company to deal with?

for price it is hard to beat the music123, ams, musicians friend stores ...

for quality and service you can go with Mike Parks or Pick of the Ricks ...

But I've never bought a new Ric ... just 20 used ones ... the nice thing about a used ric is that it already has its first dings ...

I bought a 4003 last spring from www.pickofthericks.com and the service was great, the bass got here quick and it was a good experience.

I bought a 360/12 from Ed Roman 3 years ago, and the price was really good, and I got the guitar just fine. No warrenty card though, but I assumed that since I was gonna install the 12 saddle bridge that I'd be voiding the warrenty anyway.

So, two good experiences for me.

3 if I count selling my 4003s/5 to Jeff Rath!

Get yourself to Mike Park's place:

http://www.the-music-connection.com

He's probably one of the nicest guys you could hope to do business with.

Get on his pages, spot something you like - and you'll be sure he'll work by the book and with a smile on his face. He's a good guy.

I've not bought one from Mike Park, but if I were to buy one online, it would be thru him. His prices are really good and he's a total RIC head who will for sure treat you right.

Jason

I've purchased two RICs from Chris Clayton (350v63 Monte Brown and 360 DG) at Pick of the Ricks. He is an upstanding, honest guy from whom I'll buy every time I need to get my R.A.S fix. I strongly recommend buying from him. If the "P" in BRP is purple, Chris will be getting another call from me...

Hey John ... thanks for selling me that bass ... it is a fine instrument ...

I purchased mine through Musician's Friend. Didn't really talk to anybody, but I got the bass just fine in a case with the warranty card in about 3 days.

I've bought three from e-Bay, one from Musician's Friend, and one from Dave's Guitar Shop. MF was slow with confirming e-mails, tracking numbers, etc. but were great when I had a return. Dave's was excellent to work with, gave me a good trade, set up my new 330/12, and gave me an extra set of strings.

Price wise, North Coast, Dave's, Elderly Instruments and POTR were all in the same ball park, a bit lower than the big on line folks. BUT, they may charge for shipping, and I know Dave's has a two day window for returns (some of the others may as well) which is OK during the summer but in winter you're not even supposed to open the box for two days, so I'm not sure how that would work.

Of the larger ones I've had the best luck with AMS, but they won't take returns on Rics.

I can't say enough great things about Chris Clayton at Pick of the Ricks !
www.pickofthericks.com

Hey Jwr2, what's the deal with the headwings on that 4003s/5?

Walnut? Or stained standard maple?

Have dealt with Chris @ POR, Mike @ Ric Connection, Music123, Musicians Friend, Mars, Ebay.

My V63 from MF came with smashed case courtesy of FedEx. Music123 sent wrong item.

Can't go wrong with Chris or Mike!

the headwings are stained ... I am talking to Ted about putting real walnut headwings on it so it will be a 4003s5v63 ....

How much does Chris at POR charge for say a new 4003 Fireglo? I believe Mike charges just under a grand, which is great. How much does MF or 123 charge for your "standard finish" 4003?

I love the V63's, but I think my next one will be a 4003. But I can't decide on what finish. That Midnight Blue is so cool. But then again, the Fireglo is always a "rock explosion guarantee". Tough call!

Thanks!
Jason

I "think" that a 4003 should be around $999.98 at Music123.

Of course it won't have that loving touch that Mike or Chris may impart.

Jim @ Roades set up my 4004Cii-good because I'm not so handy at intonation...