Pickguards from the "Ric" Boutique

[aceonbass]

And I don't know why the difference matters to some people.

One is smooth and cohesive with the body line of the lower edge of the bass, and the other one is not. Rickenbacker returned to the previous design in early 2014 for a reason. I've done several custom mods to Rickenbacker basses, many for customers, and having an eye for detail and design is a good thing to have.

[bassduke49]

And I don't know why the difference matters to some people.

One is smooth and cohesive with the body line of the lower edge of the bass, and the other one is not. Rickenbacker returned to the previous design in early 2014 for a reason. I've done several custom mods to Rickenbacker basses, many for customers, and having an eye for detail and design is a good thing to have.

And still

[Korladis]

Here are both guards side by side. I don't know how it's possible that some can't tell the difference.

Ditto. But I was an artist long before I was a musician. It still amazes me when people watch tv in the wrong aspect and can’t tell.

What?

[callofcthulhu]

And I don't know why the difference matters to some people.

One is smooth and cohesive with the body line of the lower edge of the bass, and the other one is not. Rickenbacker returned to the previous design in early 2014 for a reason. I've done several custom mods to Rickenbacker basses, many for customers, and having an eye for detail and design is a good thing to have.

Or, to put it another way, one is boring and uniform, the other stimulates the eye by simulating concentric motion.

Rickenbacker also started making the top horn skinnier around that time, looks kind of awkward and anemic to me.

I'm not a fan of either change, but it's just a matter of personal preference, neither is "right" or "wrong."

[gt40graham]

I too hadn't noticed this change in pick guard shape. If it were mine I would just sand the edge down to get rid of the bump, far easier and cheaper than replacing it.

Regards,


Graham.

[admin]

Another anomaly for the Rickenbacker history books. An interesting observation and a feature that if not noted might be otherwise be interpreted as an error, one off or a fake.

[aceonbass]

I too hadn't noticed this change in pick guard shape. If it were mine I would just sand the edge down to get rid of the bump, far easier and cheaper than replacing it. Regards, Graham.

You'll spend a long time sanding. There's over 1/8" of material in some places that needs to be removed.

[cjj]

Unless you've got a belt sander/linisher...

[rickbass]

I actually like the look of the fatter pickguard...to me it looks more like a vintage style....

[rickbass]

[lumgimfong]

I have a white 2016 4003 guard in pretty new shape I dont use. Took it off mine after I bought the bass new. PM me if interested.