The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
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chucksimms
- Veteran RRF member
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- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2001 1:16 pm
The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
I'm looking at one and was wondeing if you could slap on a standard pickguard?
Re: The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
When I think of how often I adjust my 4001 truss rods (same as the split guard 4003s) which is never, I wonder if the 4003 old style rods are as stable and if so would a full guard really be a hassle? Any owners with a old style rod 4003 want to weigh in?
As for holes aligning, Tony at Pickguardian could make a full guard with holes in the correct place if you sent the two halves to him.
As for holes aligning, Tony at Pickguardian could make a full guard with holes in the correct place if you sent the two halves to him.
Re: The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
Using the original as a guide, it's a simple matter to make your own for the cost of plexiglas. I used a coping saw for the basic shape, then hand sanded the edges prior to removing the protective film. A Dremel-like tool would've further simplified the process. But I had a hand-crank drill, sandpaper and a coping saw.
You decide which screw holes to use and which to cover, and the fit is perfection.
My Ric was handmade in Santa Ana, CA. but the pickguard was handmade about an hour West in Woodland Hills.
You decide which screw holes to use and which to cover, and the fit is perfection.
My Ric was handmade in Santa Ana, CA. but the pickguard was handmade about an hour West in Woodland Hills.
"We were getting quite famous—obviously once we got to America we were quite famous—and Mr. Rickenbacker kind of arrived and said, Paul, we have a bass. Oh, great! Freebie. Thank you very much."
-Paul McCartney.
-Paul McCartney.
Re: The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
i have a split pickguard and as much as i hate it, I had to do something to my neck pickup about 30 minutes ago that would have taken a lot longer to do if i had a one piece, so I'm liking the split guard big time.
Re: The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
I had a 2-pc guard 4003S back in the '80's. I just made a 1pc guard to fit. It was easy to do.chucksimms wrote:I'm looking at one and was wondeing if you could slap on a standard pickguard?
Re: The Split Pickguard on early '80s basses
I've taken my one piece off so many times that I don't see the issue with having a one piece vs a two piece.
Yeah, unscrew maybe 4 screws vs 8 screws. Pulling the pickguard out with pups still in it isn't that much of a hassle to me and neither is unscrewing the other 4 screws since I already have the screwdriver in hand.
If you like the looks of a one-piece, do it.
Once you have the one-piece like you like it, it's just a matter of shipping it to pickguardian to have them make a nice black or white pearloid pickguard if you want something pretty.
You could always download the template that pickguardian has for the 4001, print it out and see how it lines up on your bass.
Yeah, unscrew maybe 4 screws vs 8 screws. Pulling the pickguard out with pups still in it isn't that much of a hassle to me and neither is unscrewing the other 4 screws since I already have the screwdriver in hand.
If you like the looks of a one-piece, do it.
Once you have the one-piece like you like it, it's just a matter of shipping it to pickguardian to have them make a nice black or white pearloid pickguard if you want something pretty.
You could always download the template that pickguardian has for the 4001, print it out and see how it lines up on your bass.