Gold guard rarity?

[1965]

I've been wondering how popular gold guards are on reissue models. I've seen some around the board, and I dug up this photo of a 360v64 from an old thread:

Did all of the guitars like this start out with white guards and get switched out, or do a few every once in a while leave the factory like this?

[wj350]

No idea what models leave the factory with gold (except the c58s), but IMO they should be on just about every Ric...I can't think of a single Ric finish that doesn't or wouldn't look great with gold trim pieces.

Bill

[jingle_jangle]

Add the two 660 models to that, Bill.

[wittyair]

Case in point, Bill
Just did this today.
Not bad, eh??

[scotty]

Craig your geetar is looking stunning i love the GD pick guard Very nice indeed!A GD truss RC would just set it off nicely

[wittyair]

Scott....believe it or not, that is a gold TRC....the glare in the pic makes it look white.
If you click on the pic to enlarge it, it comes through better.

[scotty]

I beg your pardon craig im on my 2nd bottle of Red Your guitar is perfect!Ha im ****** sorry hoho

[wj350]

Craig, think I just had a little accident here...

Beautiful guitar, and yes, it makes my point. I think Ric should make gold the standard...

Bill

[simer4001]

Here is my gold 4001V63.

[1965]

Nice guitars, but what about my question: does the factory put out runs of guitars with gold pickguards?

[jingle_jangle]

To sum up, 325C58, 660/6, 660/12.

[1965]

To sum up, 325C58, 660/6, 660/12.

Well I already knew that much, just wondering about the other random ones. Dang, that 4001v63 is quite shiny

[dustymurphy]

I'm no beacon of information, but about six years ago I looked into getting a 360/12 from Ed Roman while on vacation in Vegas, and inquired about upgrades (mostly upgrading to toasters) and at that time they offered me the chance of a gold pickguard/TRC. I wanted a FireGlo model at the time though, and they just didn't have one that clicked with me. I decided to go home and think about it and make an order over the web if I changed my mind and other things happened and I didn't end up getting one. And that could have just been his shop had a set (or possibly more?) at that time that were waiting to be used.

[wittyair]

I got the pickguard from Tony at Pickguardian and I sent him my TRC to paint to match.
Other than doing it yourself which I know some people have done, that's a pretty good way to go.

[jingle_jangle]

I'm no beacon of information, but about six years ago I looked into getting a 360/12 from Ed Roman while on vacation in Vegas, and inquired about upgrades (mostly upgrading to toasters) and at that time they offered me the chance of a gold pickguard/TRC. I wanted a FireGlo model at the time though, and they just didn't have one that clicked with me. I decided to go home and think about it and make an order over the web if I changed my mind and other things happened and I didn't end up getting one. And that could have just been his shop had a set (or possibly more?) at that time that were waiting to be used.

Ed sells gold guard, calls Tony at Pickgardian, receives gold guard, removes white guard, installs gold.

Gold guard: Tony's price, doubled.

Installation: $150/hr.

Presto, "factory option".