RB-612CS Classic Series : Not a Rickenbacker, but not ?2000, either.

I've had this in my possession now for a few days. My first impression was to send it back. It arrived with a the octave G string broken, and buzzing on open strings and at the first 5 or so frets. I decided to let it settle in for a bit, before I made a final decision. After a couple of days, I checked out the neck, and, sure enough, it was bent backward, thus causing the buzzing mentioned above. So, I adjusted the neck relief, which fixed that issue. The action was then a bit higher than it was, so I adjusted that, too. Now, it plays well, with no fret buzz, but it will need a fret leveling to get it to optimal playability, but for now, it is fine.

The tuners are a bit wonky, but once they get to pitch, they hold their tuning well enough.

The biggest hassle is getting the strings into their courses. I have large fingers, and it was very fiddly getting the replacement G octave string securely into place on the tail piece.

The sound is decent, and as this is just a 'flavour' for my recordings, will be just fine. It is a bit neck heavy, as one would expect.

In conclusion, I would say I am pleased with my purchase, as there is no way I could justify a real Rickenbacker. It may cost 1/10 the price of a real Ricky, but I don't think it is 1/10th the guitar.

Now, I am going to go play some Beatles, Byrds, and Tom Petty. :-)