Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
Post Reply
User avatar
nanamour
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 791
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:22 pm
Location: Hell's Kitchen

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by nanamour » Tue Jan 24, 2017 4:40 pm

Yeah, HNB and NelsonInstruments got the idea across a bit more succinctly ;D
NelsonInstruments wrote: Also the centerline of the body looks to either a) have been incorrectly established or b) they glued the neck in at an angle.
Again, looks great though. Lovely burst!

User avatar
Whiny Minotaur
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 360
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:39 am
Location: Korea
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by Whiny Minotaur » Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:16 pm

They did the same thing with my guitar, although thankfully it's barely noticeable. I certainly haven't been thinking about it during the time I've been playing mine.
soundcloud.com/kkamaguicrow

User avatar
jakeisjake
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 6682
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jakeisjake » Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:25 am

now that i've had the guitar for some time, i thought i'd give an update.

final recommendation:

i would not recommend this manufacturer.

there are too many variables with a guitar build and, really, no great recourse if something goes wrong. it was, all told, close to $600us for this guitar...that's not a huge amount of money, but it isn't a small amount, either.

people's observations are correct, the neck is glued in on an angle. the bridge and tailpiece are also on an angle to compensate. it's kind of weird.

Image
however, it does not feel funny when you play it. if the neck stays stable, it is a very playable and a fun guitar to play.

it's also weird and bothersome that the binding is not visible looking straight at the guitar. however, on a slight angle, it really is beautiful.
Image

i replaced the tail piece with a trapeze...that looks pretty great.
Image

i contacted them about all of the problems noted here (and more...neck pickup is not flush with the body, frets were sharp, etc). they said they would give me a $30 refund and give me a "big discount on a future guitar". i asked for $50...they said ok, but nothing happened. i filed a PP dispute and they said they would give me the refund if i dropped the dispute. in the dispute i asked for a lot more. they refunded me the $50 and i dropped the dispute.

i've wrestled with it...should i have kept the dispute open...i'm pretty sure i would have won. but, in the end, i was going to keep it (as opposed topaying shipping back to china (the above mentioned "no good recourse")...so i felt like i would be just being a jerk to push for more.

i'm still looking for a set of cooker knobs that won't set me back too much...

it really is a beautiful guitar that (at this time) plays well and sounds good. it's unique...it's got that going for it.

over all, it was not a terrible experience.

but again, buyer beware.
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

User avatar
AWSchmit
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 4704
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:03 am
Location: WV - US of A
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by AWSchmit » Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:59 am

I'm so glad I make/put together my own guitars. I could not handle leaving that many things up to someone. Especially in this case that the work is being done so far away plus the added language barrier. I always seem not to mind mistakes I might make in my own guitars as much as I would mind someone else making those same mistakes.

I hope those imperfections don't bother you too much Mike and you can just enjoy playing it as is.
I finally finish building a guitar, go to play it, and then remember, "oh yeah, that's right. I suck at playing... Why did I build another guitar again?"

User avatar
hansbrinker
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 184
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2014 5:18 pm
Location: South Nasty

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by hansbrinker » Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:50 am

Here are some down 'n' dirty pics of my second Rick build. I'll have better photos and more info in the near future, but as of now, I'd say I'm pretty impressed!

(A few notes: I replaced the crappy original tone/volume knobs with real Rick period 'silver' knobs, put on the period correct tailpiece, and put on an old real Rick bridge and TRC. You'll also notice that it's strung like a traditional 12-string, not a Rick. I wanted that on purpose, since I already have a real Rick 12 and wanted to try a different sound. I can always get a new nut and bridge if I decide to go the Rick setup route).

Behold...

Image

Image

Image

Image

User avatar
jakeisjake
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 6682
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jakeisjake » Thu Mar 16, 2017 5:43 pm

looks great!
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

User avatar
hansbrinker
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 184
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2014 5:18 pm
Location: South Nasty

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by hansbrinker » Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:41 pm

Thanks!

BTW - I love the color of your Capri (it's closer to what I wanted for my first 360F)

Also: Ric has 'oven' knobs back in stock for $40.

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/KNOBS- ... p_599.html

User avatar
jakeisjake
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 6682
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jakeisjake » Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:59 pm

hansbrinker wrote:Thanks!

BTW - I love the color of your Capri (it's closer to what I wanted for my first 360F)

Also: Ric has 'oven' knobs back in stock for $40.

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/KNOBS- ... p_599.html
just ordered them from pick of the ricks.

the color is great. i often look at it and say "it's exactly what i wanted".
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

User avatar
jakeisjake
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 6682
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jakeisjake » Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:42 am

nice!

Image
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

User avatar
Fiddy
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 12391
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:38 am
Location: Canada Dry

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by Fiddy » Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:27 am

When i look at pics of your "RIC" and tilt my head and squint at the same time, I cant tell that the centerline is off. :freako:

User avatar
jakeisjake
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 6682
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jakeisjake » Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:36 am

tribi9 wrote:When i look at pics of your "RIC" and tilt my head and squint at the same time, I cant tell that the centerline is off.
well...

that's my "guitar" face...so, i'm good!
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

User avatar
jbiscuti
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 950
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:00 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jbiscuti » Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:05 am

If anybody here is interested in purchasing the Blue Boy Rick 360F, please LMK - I lack both the time and inclination to finish it right now. $475 shipped would take it.

User avatar
Fiddy
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 12391
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:38 am
Location: Canada Dry

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by Fiddy » Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:47 am

jbiscuti wrote:If anybody here is interested in purchasing the Blue Boy Rick 360F, please LMK - I lack both the time and inclination to finish it right now. $475 shipped would take it.
You've been a member here for a while.

You should know that…

There should be no selling outside of the for sale area.

User avatar
added
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 247
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:42 am

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by added » Sat Apr 29, 2017 2:50 pm

I apologize as this may have been asked, but any suggestions on shops if I am looking for a custom? I would be into making a solid body Rick style.

User avatar
jakeisjake
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 6682
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
Contact:

Re: Chinese Rick saga... join me, won't you?

Post by jakeisjake » Mon May 01, 2017 6:10 am

added wrote:I apologize as this may have been asked, but any suggestions on shops if I am looking for a custom? I would be into making a solid body Rick style.
nelson instruments used to (and i think still do) make a tulip style guitar...i have one. it's quite nice.

Image
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...

Post Reply