The Changing Of The Guards

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:50 am

Throughout the history of Rickenbacker there have been a relatively small number of different colour pickguards,including but not limited to white, black, gold, silver and chrome.

While there have been a few more, I am wondering what new guard you would like to see as an option for Rickenbacker instruments. I realize that the sky is the limit when it comes to after-market modifications, but what would you like to see from the factory that is not currently offered? Perhaps a cream white?

Surely RIC must have experimented with this before. Would additional guard options be a factory nightmare. Mr. Hall?

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:30 am

Peter, I think you have covered it all. What else could possibly look good?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:25 am

This is getting a little exotic, but there were some pearloid materials used on acoustic guitars and clear on one of the 390 prototypes(forerunner of the Jazzbo...)

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:47 am

I don't think you will ever see it ... they don't even make the black ones any more ...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:57 am

Interesting question, Peter. And, coincidentally, I've been experimenting with different treatments on my 2 Ricks, including tortoise shell and traditional laminated pickguard materials.

I'll be posting pictures shortly.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:13 am

Chances are (not to borrow too heavily from Johnny Mathis) this will be interesting Paul. I have never seen tortoise shell or traditional laminated pickguards after they have had the gold treatment.

I love the checked binding on Rickenbackers and wonder if it would be possible to have the guards, white or black with a checkerboard type edge. I consider this would look sharp on a number of models if it could be done.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:35 am

A great idea, Peter. This is something that the factory could not do, however, because as I understand it, the checkerboard binding is the biggest factor in the price of the Deluxe models. It's a ton of handwork to apply, scrape, and finish...

Which models do you see it on?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:46 am

I like the idea of tortoise shell or silver guards. In fact, I had silver guards made for my JG 360 CW Ltd. Ed.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:48 am

It would be interesting to see a mock-up of it on a Jetglo or Midnightblue 4003 model.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:49 am

Now that is very nice John. I like the silver guards better than the white on this instrument.

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:09 am

Most of you guys will probably get sick, but I have a checkerboard upper guard on my 360 JetGlo. I have the lower guard too, but I think the split looks cool. Of course, I have not really been a stickler for originality on the high volume produced instruments. Let me see if I can upload a PIC.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:16 am

Jim, I have two words for you:

INDY 500.

patrickkelly · Post by **patrickkelly** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:50 am

Hey JW, since when did the CW's have humbuckers?

You naughty boy, you.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:23 am

I like tort on Fender jazz basses and that's about it.

Hrmm . . . pickguards. . .

Tartan??

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:10 am

Close observers of the basses will note that the Gary Lee Dewitt Limited Edition 4001(?) had a tortoiseshell guard! For more info on this elusive bass please go to The Rickenbacker Page and see it in the Rickenbacker Hall of Shame...