And so it begins...

[Maccaguy]

I do think the guard needs a little massaging to remove the double hump, but that's nothing a little time and piece of sandpaper can't fix. Other than that, I'm ecstatic that I'll finally have my holy grail bass!

[aceonbass]

Smoothing out the double humps will require a lot of time if you're using sandpaper. I use a Dremmel with a sanding drum on it. The original guard on this bass actually had the proper contours. I don't know why Pickguardian made a vintage guard with that shape.

[Maccaguy]

I ordered two from Tony labeled 'Rickenbacker 4003 Vintage Conversion Bass Guard'. I guess it's a hybrid of the double hump control section with the wider neck-to-treble surround section. I put one on my Mapleglo 4003S and sent the other to Larry for this conversion. I really didn't notice the double humps before sending this bass to Larry, and then taking another look at my MG bass, it jumped out at me.

I used my Dremel, some sandpaper, and a model car polishing kit to smooth out the double hump. Here's the before and after:


So maybe a little work on the guard on the Fireglo will be a nice finishing touch.

[Captain Bob]

Robert...Was that my old 4001S that Larry originally restored for a customer in Australia?

Yes sir...thats the one. I bought it from Jeff in Oz, last March.

[aceonbass]

I thought I recognized that bass! Besides building the wiring (with original early-'64 dated pots and Ajax caps) I also made the pickguard, and cut the bridge pickup surround from an original stamped brass lapsteel, and had it triple plated. i also had to work some casting flaws out of the tailpiece asting before having it plated as well.

[Captain Bob]

It sounds great and plays well, Dane. I soldered a (non axial) turquoise .0047 cap I picked up from you into the harness. You either left it out or Jeff removed it. For me, it's the Crisp 'O Cap. Other than that, a Pickguardian tug bar has been added.

[thx1955]

That is some truly lovely Fireglo, congratulations.

Now go play the frets off of her.

[aceonbass]

As I remember, that bass was only a few serial #'s away from Chris Squire's RM1999. After I'd finally gotten all the parts together, I couldn't afford to finish her. Damn recession..

[Maccaguy]

Ok, final update as I've had the guitar since late last week. It's all I can do to put it down long enough to take a photo.

Larry had his photographer take some studio shots of it. They washed out a bit in his photos.






And finally, a before and after comparison (with my Wings Ric for company). This shows the color in a bit more natural setting:


Now to find a silver case for it! Overall, I love it!

[Lefty4003S8]

BEAUTIFUL family you have there!!!!! I LOVES me some Lefties!!!!!!!

[Wiker]

[Lefty4001]

Looks great, Brian. I hope this project worked out like you imagined.