Ugly new pickguard

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 1:58 am

2mm of plastic causes a thread 30 posts and 2 pages long. Crikey.

rickinroma · Post by **rickinroma** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:19 am

yes, mark, we all need some psichotherapy

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:48 am

We just need to play some more!

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:22 am

Well now that you pointed that out Bob, I'm appalled!

lars · Post by **lars** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:21 am

In industrial design, there's always a trade off between functions and aestethics. But in this case, why change a design that was both beautyful and functional?

Now some playing, then off to the shrink

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:28 am

But in this case, why change a design that was both beautyful and functional?

lol...

We're talking about the curve of a piece of perspex.... 4003s haven't suddenly gone headless or anything, have they?

I am surprised it's bothered you all so much.

lars · Post by **lars** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:40 am

As I said Henny: I'm off to the shrink!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:17 am

So I guess we have another question to ask when buying a new 4003.

"Does it have the impregnated pickguard"

ricosound · Post by **ricosound** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:22 am

This is what happens when a design goes virtually unchanged for 40 years.

wim · Post by **wim** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:27 am

Imagine what would happen if they took 2mm off the headstock..

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:44 am

Well, in my case I never bought a 4003 for a long time because of the small headstock. I just bought a 4001cs, and later a 4004c.

Once the headstock got bigger, I just had a new pickguard made, and simple as that no hassle.

Some people notice this stuff, some don't. It is a super small detail. But, for me the Rickenbacker bass is so interesting a design, that a few extra mm of plastic look odd. Some people may love it, vive la difference, or something.

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:21 am

Well, in my case I never bought a 4003 for a long time because of the small headstock.

Seriously?! Crikey... what a shame.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:47 am

Got to say the big horns put me off later 70s and 80s 4001/4003s nowadays....I tend to think if they could just get the headstock right on the current 4003 the shape would be pretty near bang on for my taste. Then all they need to do is fit a plexi trc, a 1/2 inch toaster, and some full width inlays.....oh, and sort out that pickguard, LOL!!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:53 am

The headstock is perfect on the new 4003 matches the body....They went back to the longer headstock of the sixty's and they even incorporate wings, great design.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:09 am

to be truthful the change in the pickguard means nothing to me except I like the fact that they lined up the knobs again like it was on my '68 ...