I've been seeing this in my mind for years....

[teb]

Usually, if something bugs me, I just ditch the body and build a new one, or start cutting the horns off and reshaping and refinishing it.

[iriane]

I like how you weren't afraid to drill a new hole for the bigger pickguard. Looks very well done. I don't care for the thumbrest, but I understand why you have it there. Why didn't you go all the way with a horseshoe surround? You were almost there (not that it doesn't look great as it is); it just seems that after doing all that to have it look old-school, you would have gone that extra step.

You didn't mention that I routed the body to put the toaster in the vintage location on the JG 4003.

The finger rest is for obvious reasons.

On my old 4001V63, I did not drill new holes for the new pickguard, but I did do so for the mid '60s TRC I had on it for a while (it lives on my 4004L SPC now, no new holes were required).

I did have a mid '60s horseshoe surround for a while that I (drilled new holes for) installed on my 4003FL, along with same as above regarding re-positioning the toaster (note the toaster in the bridge location, too). I drilled new pickguard screws for that bass, also.

The Hipshot bridge was installed to allow for more rearward adjustment on that bass for better intonation (yes, I do intonate my fretless basses).

As to why I didn't install the vintage HS PU surround in the JG 4003, I was thinking about 1968.

I love the fact that you aren't afraid to mod your basses. Although I do think it always looks better to have the pickguard screws in the right spots on the pickguard. Who cares if there's an extra tiny hole where no one will ever see? Well, in this day and age alot of people, but back in the day no one batted an eye.

I remember seeing this bass years ago online:


I ALWAYS loved the way the toaster looks in the bridge pickup surround. It just looks "right" like that. I've always wanted to do that to some of mine, but I don't think Rickenbacker will allow you to buy just the chrome toaster surround anymore to mod the hi-gain pickups. But, I may be wrong.

I remember also seeing that bass online with the stock bridge and pickup surround years and years ago:


But, when I saw it again with the Hipshot, I liked that too. It's the first time I actually liked the way the Hipshot looked on a Rick. Definitely works on that fretless; I think it's the extra chrome and lines of the toaster that draw attention from the fact that the bridge isn't original. And, no finish lifting is always a plus!

BTW...where did you get the new bridge pickup surround?

[doctorwho]

Although I can understand how the 'pearl' pick guard material is associated with Fender, I don't finder it "un-Rickenbacker-ish".

Original image copyright RIC. Used for educational purposes only.

Original image copyright RIC. Used for educational purposes only.

[admin]

Usually, if something bugs me, I just ditch the body and build a new one, or start cutting the horns off and reshaping and refinishing it.

I just love your work, Teb!

[radapaw]

I love that 'this is wrong' feeling you can only get when router and rickenbacker meet. Nice work folks!

[espidog]

Original image copyright RIC. Used for educational purposes only.

FOR SALE

Five guitars (various).
Some heat-warping and salt corrosion. Slight tidemarks.
Otherwise, showroom condition!

Apply, Santa Ana CA

[jps]

...where did you get the new bridge pickup surround?

I'm not certain what you are referring to with "the new bridge pickup surround". If you mean the surround with the "tail", that is a real, vintage mid 1960s surround. I bought it on ebay in 2005.

[anoukane]

Nice catch then. Would love to score one some day.