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Weak E? Try these: [url="http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D401"]http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D401[/url]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1334858425' post='1622544'] . you know there is something wrong when they stop people doing better instead of doing better themselves. [/quote] True. But then again, RIC revamped the tailpiece unit back in, what, the early '90s? and put two extra screws at the rear to counteract tail-lift. Then, the word I heard was they rescinded this modification cos the waffen thought it sacriledge! Go figure.

Over the years, I've owned ten Rick basses in total. Three were dogs: my first (s/h) 4001, bought on impulse cos I'd always wanted one; a 4001S/8, impossible to intonate properly; a 4003S/8 with rods to the max on a weak neck I wasn't informed about. So that leaves seven. These were all good basses - praticularly the CS - but there were some issues: the BlueBoy's clicking saddles and colour-changing paint job; the 4001CS tailpiece looked like it was on the up and the lacquer on the board starting to rise. Fair enough, the CS was 8 years old by the time those issues arose, but on most of my '70s 4001s, the lacquer was fine. Then, there's the unacceptable nut on my 660DCM. I don't mind them being cut high, but to have the E string sliding off the fretboard smacks of bad QC. Why wasn't this guitar pulled at QC and the nut redone? But I'll tell you what: if RIC had been even a [i]wee[/i] bit helpful over some of the issues I've had instead of going on the defensive and had extended their 'lifetime warranty' worldwide, I have supported the brand rather than walking away from it. Here's a real [url="http://bassthatricbuilt.web.officelive.com/default.aspx"]RIC horror story[/url] from the past.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1334529955' post='1617393'] That metal is pretty funny stuff, that one was rigid, I think it just flows really slowly. Giveaway is Rickenbacker spent a while with two extra holes and screws to stop it happening, but people complained it spoiled the look in an effort to prove style over substance. [/quote] Bizarre, isn't it? I have the 7-screw bridge on the 4001 I'm punting right now, as the original had about 4mm tail-lift. Had around ten Ricks and the only on that didn't exhibit TL was a '73 4001. Even my CS was starting to exhibit it and that's one reason i got shot of!

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1334574507' post='1617745'] For me the telling thing is this. Small companies like the Birch and Prosbass get hammered because they can't afford a legal battle and stop, looking like RIC is winning the battle. BUT Bigger firms like Shine, Rockinbetter, Dillion in Canada somehow manage to carry on regardless. If JH had any real teeth how come they still continue? How come he hasn't followed through with the threats he dishes out to smaller firms and private sellers and wiped out these mass producing companies. [/quote] Maybe he's afraid of a protracted legal case? Being a small firm, who knows how deep their coffers are?

I was just about to go lurking on Castle Rickenwaffen and I mistyped the name and [url="http://www.ricresource.com/ct1/home.html"]this[/url] came up!! Got the RIC name up there, JH!! Actually, JH might do well to engage with that group......

I need to import a bass from Oz (seller wouldn't ship) and want to know if anyone can recommend a reasonably priced and efficient courier or partner-site?

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1334560089' post='1617453'] Of course he's entitled to, but he should focus his efforts on the manufacturers and importers who are profiting from it, not the little guys. [/quote] +1

Can anyone recommend a site for picking up instruments from abroad? I need to get something shipped back here from Oz.

Just ordered a jazz wiring kit but have been buying parts off them for ages. Got one of their pups in the front of one of the Teles and it's really good!