New look for a 4003

[jps]

I think TV-knobs rule, but only on 4-control (or 2-control) guitars...

I don't think they look that good on 2 knob basses.......

[finlover]

Not sure about the pickguard on that one either. Hmmm...

[jps]

That bass belongs to Tom Petersson.

[finlover]

That definitely ups the cool factor!!

[woodyng]

I think TV-knobs rule, but only on 4-control (or 2-control) guitars...

I don't think they look that good on 2 knob basses.......

Well,in this case,no. That pg shape is just.....bad. He used this bass in a mariachi-band video of "surrender",so i guess he was going for a "mexican pawnshop" look,lol....
Sorry,Tom!

[JackTheRipper]

I completely agree--the white is a little jarring next to the walnut, it kind of draws the eye away from the nice woodgrain. I wonder if a multi-ply black pg and matching trc might look nice on walnut, 4002-style!

I put a black pickguard and TRC on my 4003W. It looks good, but I think it would look better on a 4003SW without the binding.

--jack

[nov_1981]

I completely agree--the white is a little jarring next to the walnut, it kind of draws the eye away from the nice woodgrain. I wonder if a multi-ply black pg and matching trc might look nice on walnut, 4002-style!

I put a black pickguard and TRC on my 4003W. It looks good, but I think it would look better on a 4003SW without the binding.



--jack

I had the same idea Jack.. I think the Walnuts look so much better with black trim..

[finlover]

The black looks great on both of those! Gives them a more upscale look IMO.

[cjj]

I've always thought black looked better than white on almost all Ricks...

[woodyng]

I like the black plastic much better than the white on the walnut bodies,but think gold would look better still.

[squirebass]

I'd like to see what a tortoise shell pickguard would look like on a 4003sw. I'd bet that's a nice look too...

[jdogric12]

Black is a definite improvement, despite looking 70's-ish. Gold would be even better!

[finlover]

Yeah, I'm kinda surprised you don't see gold pg's on Ricks more often. I even like them on Fireglo!

[aceonbass]

Yeah, I'm kinda surprised you don't see gold pg's on Ricks more often.

Gold guards are harder to make. You start with clear acrylic, which is more prone to cracking over time. Then you have to spray paint the back, then hope over time that the paint doesn't react with the finish, or peel off in spots...just like the factory gold guards.

[stevebasshead]

Or...avoid issues with finish reacting, peeling off etc. by starting with a clear acrylic guard, trace out the guard shape on your choice of paper (shiny wrapping paper / old poster / LP album cover / large photos / whatever) and stick it behind the clear guard, held securely in place by the guard screws. I've got mine done with plain white paper and it's indistinguishable from paint from anything other than close up.

Bored with the colour/pattern? Simple and cheap to replace.

The thicker the paper the better of course but it's another option to consider.