My 4003v!!

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:46 pm

Paul Wilczynski just made me this awesome pickguard! Thanks Paul!

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:54 pm

Here is a pic of the bass with the previous pickguard that was pretty much an extended standard 4003 guard.

It did the job ok, but the new one looks much better.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:54 pm

Very nice indeed! A man of many talents (some I'm sure we'll never find out about!!).

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:01 am

Cool, John! What have we started here?

This one is a white backed lucite pickguard from Pickguardian.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:26 am

My 4003s5 started out from the factory with a mapleglo finish and black trim ... another forum member (John Ashfield) turned it into a v63/c64 style bass ... the conversion varnish was removed and an oil finish was put on and the black plastic and hardware was removed and replaced with chrome and white plastic ... it looked like this when I got it ...

but I got tired of the v63 look so I put the black trim back on ... and I refinished it with a new coat of tung oil and stained the headwings and rounded the body a little bit more ... it is very comfortable for my forearm now ...

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:03 am

I never was fond of the black on the mapleglo. That's why I changed it to a v63 look.

I also have never understood the weird gap that grew from the pickguard to the treble pickup surround in the early 70's. It always looks "wrong" to my eyes.

It's funny because when I was trying to get a pickguard done a few years ago, and I would explain that the vintage style pickguard shape was a bit biggger, no one got it until I showed them pictures! It really freaked me out to think no one noticed that design detail.

I must admit I love the fake headwings, great job Jeff!

You can say I sold it to you Jeff! No big deal! Being refered to as another "forum" is kinda weird feeling!

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:06 am

Hey Jeffrey, love that fretless!

Personally I think the vintage style guard looks way more elegant!

That is one of the great things about Rickenbackers, everyone loves different things about them!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:34 am

Sorry John ... I fixed the post ... it was a typo ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:35 am

I like the modern pickguard ... to my eyes it looks more graceful ...

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:56 am

Well, Grace certainly is in the eye of the beholder. The "modern" pickguard and it's variations since the early 70's just kill the look of the bass for me.

But the bass itself is still fabulous. So whatever, plastic for everyone in varying shapes!

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:14 am

I prefer total sleakness, no plastic... a la 4004 but..

John - very attractive 4003! Nice!

edski · Post by **edski** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:15 am

Personally I like the "no pickguard" style of my new Laredo!

Actually, both have their appeal...could live with either.

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:16 am

....Uh, Ed... great minds, within seconds of eachother.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:17 am

John, that bass looks absolutely fantastic!!! Definitely a possible for the future.....

madscotsman · Post by **madscotsman** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:37 pm

I had done this too...so here is my 4003s5v63 MG, w/factory cut pickguard.
I still need to change the nameplate to vintage, but I think you can't get vintage TRC's anymore..??, like everything else that eveyone wants but can't get anymore.