Rickenbacker pickguards

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 12:44 am

Why is it that I can get different pickguards for Les Pauls and Strats, but Ric will absolutely not produce/sell different pickguards for their guitars. I called Ric yesterday requesting a gold guard and the rep told me that they are saving the parts for production runs??? Hello! It's a piece of plastic! Anyone out there know where I can get custom pickguards for Rickys?

corey · Post by **corey** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 3:58 am

Gerald,

You can check out the "Products" link
on this very site and see that you can indeed get a custom made gold pickguard. Don is currently in the middle of a move, but in a few months, I think you'll be able to place an order with him.

I agree that it's a real pain that RIC won't let you customize ANYTHING with your guitar (unless you're a famous musician) but that's just the way it goes. There is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes with taking non-RIC parts and making your guitar less "stock".

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 5:03 am

Why? I have no idea , but I do understand why they don't have a 'custom' shop .

At least part of me does ...

There is a fine line between trademark infringement and after market products .JH does not want to let his trademarks get stolen and rightfully so .

The Fender aftermarket products that we are so used to , is only due to CBS-Fender not caring or worrying about it .That changed the business .

One reason / trouble that Rick has with guards is the method of manufacturing that was used for years on the guards .

Here is how it was done ;

One of the women from the wetsanding area or from the prep sanding are would trace out (from templates) the guards onto a stack of sheets of plexiglass on a table .This sheet would then be taken over to the woodshop and the guys over there would table saw length wise and then bandsaw out each guard .
This would then be stacked and then drilled without the use of a jig , only by eye would the holes be drilled .This is why a replacement guard will not fit !
The outside edge would then be cut and then sanded on the belt sanders and the bladder sander and then taken back to the finishing building where the buffers would buff the edges .After that they went to the assembly area and got 'wired'.

As there is no parts shop /customization shop , nor 'Custom Shop' you will have to wait .

If Don is too slow getting set up after his move , and or you can't wait ...email me ..I might be able to help you out .
As Don is sort of my 'Cousin' he won't mind .
We have known each other since the day I was born .

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 5:56 am

I have a tortoise shell pickguard set for a Ric 300/600 series that I got off of eBay years ago. Some guy obviously made it in his garage. It's pretty cool...and it's 3-ply as well, so there's a wht/blk/wht border on it!

Can't you get that stuff from AllParts?

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 2:09 pm

I didn't see any Ric compatable stuff @ AllParts. Thanks for the info guys!

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 5:42 pm

All right, enough of this plastic talk!!! I am now on the islands, but without my equipment till mid-late Feb.,when the boat gets here with my stuff.I thought ahead, and bought up some extra clear and white plastic for the white and gold guards, and already have stock for black as well.
I don't recall exact number of raw pieces I have, but between blanks for basses and 360 style guards,I have enough material for almost 80 guards.I will post "official notice" here as soon as I am up and running.So sit tight, and soon, your old Rick can get a "facelift" from the good "Dr.".

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Sat Jan 26, 2002 8:18 am

Okay Ricky Dr. Thanks!

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Tue Jan 29, 2002 10:41 am

Ricky Dr.
I have a strange request. I have a Fen*** Telecaster and would like some custom guards made for it that would make it look more RIC like. Kind of like a double guard for the bottom area where the two-pot oval one is now. The telecaster is routed, so to cover that I would need a black guard custom fit to cover the whole (My body is gloss black. SO, I would have a stock black picguard instead of the white one on it now, and on that I would have a white lower picguard and then a raised upper picguard. Following me?!!! This sounds weird, but I thought it might be cool...and certainly original. If you think that it could be done I would be interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks.

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Wed Jan 30, 2002 5:10 am

Benjamin,

If Don can't or doesn't have time to do it, shoot me an email. I'm sure something can be arranged.

-Jeff
FabGear

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:50 pm

Don -- Are you up and running yet? I think I may want to order a lower guard from you ASAP. Forget about the holes, I'll have them done here. Thanks,

Jeff

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 3:33 pm

Mr. Phelps;
I am up and running enough to accommodate what you need. AND, I can do the holes as well, No Problemo. Email me privately. Thanks!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 1:21 am

Mr. Phelps he does a great job and he has a famous clients.

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 8:05 am

Your talents continue to amaze me Peter. Continue to display them and maybe someday you, too, can join the IMF! My mission is to get to the Binghamton Pete Best show and have him sign one for me. A drum head would be more "appropriate", but I'm going for something different! You mentioned that he has signed autographs in the past at his concerts? I am still tracking down the venue. Anyone here have access to backstage passes for this tour?

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 8:17 am

Thanks for the kudos, Peter.Maybe I should bring this up while the subject of autographs is at hand. Anyone that thinks they could be going to a show where their favorite Rick hero is playing and possibly doing any autographing, might consider getting an "extra" guard for their instrument, so that an original[especially if you have a clean 60s piece] isn't needlessly marked up.Seems like more Rick players that do this are typically 300 series players, and get the upper pickguard sections signed.Of course, 4001 players like signatures, too.Anyone interested in this feel free to contact me.