The Changing Of The Guards

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:12 am

Lee: The last time I took my car into the body shop for repairs the guy at the desk said, "So is this personal or insurance?" To which I replied, "personal." Talking if he was just passing time about the weather he replied "Good, you just saved yourself $300."

It is almost an axiom of life that people take advantage on any situation in which they can make money. Insurance claim exploitation has caused us all dearly and to borrow from your comments "driving up the price to ridiculous levels."

I have yet to see any system that cannot be manipulated by the unscrupulous in one way or another. As you point out the situation with which Rickenbacker is faced shares common ground with any number of other products in the marketplace.

I am wondering if paying high prices for nameplates hasn't been going on before the policy adopted by RIC. Perhaps it is just more evident since we have access to systems such as eBay? Do good things in life come only to the highest bidder?

I am not sure that there is any practical way to resolve the TRC issue in the near future. I would be interested in hearing your solution. If it works, I'm betting that a similar application to the Insurance Industry will guarantee you an island of your own in the south.

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:22 am

Back to the pickguards... I agree that the TRC needs to match... Which is why I went with checkerboard. The white checks pick up the white on the lower guard and the white in the TRC. If you had a black TRC, you could fiddle with a color scheme that had black in it too. All the snakeskin prints I looked at had warm colors to them and I think you'd want a "cooler" color, if that makes any sense.

It really looks pretty cool, I'd upload a PIC but the only one I've got it too big. Howes has seen it and gigged with it and managed not to lose his stomach.

There is some cowprint material out there I'd like to do too.

As for the pearloid... (which I have on all but one of my Strato's) Two comments... First, I think the slightly yellowed stuff looks better, and second, I think it'd have to match the TRC.

I'd never do this to my 360F, but I think it is kinda fun to play with the guards on the modern/non-collectible instruments... Especially since you can switch it out without altering the guitar. Go to pickguardian's website and surf the materials.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:27 am

Jim: Email the the photo to me if you like. I would be pleased to post it on your behalf.

Your are right. The colour scheme of the TRC is a significant factor in the choice of the guard and vice versa.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:56 am

Cowprint? Uhhh.....OK.

Lee: I am not so sure I understand your criticism of the way Rick does things re: replacement TRCs. You hint at a better way.

What would be a better way, in your opinion?

I believe that the crux of the matter lies in the trademarked item (the TRC) being so easily removable and replaceable. Most other guitars have the name inlaid in a contrasting material into the headstock veneer, making it a more complicated luthier's task to modify, replace, or counterfeit same. If Rickenbacker would do the same, a good deal of the problem would go away. But we would lose the beautiful laminations on all the MGs and bursts--only the opaque colors wouldn't suffer.

That's ignoring the fact that that piece of plastic is a major piece of tradition!

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:18 am

Thanks Peter, I sent it... Along with a Bass PIC. I cannot tell you where I got the Bass PIC except to say that you may all see it soon.

JKC

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:29 am

First the two guitar photos Jim.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:40 am

Now this bass has had a checkered past.

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:50 am

Thanks, Peter.

JKC

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:14 am

I like it although I think a smaller checkered pattern would have looked good on the headstock. You could use black or white guards on this one.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:00 pm

The checkered guard on the 360 looks pretty spiffy to me. But then again, I've been told on more than one occasion that I lack taste!

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 1:20 am

Howard, I agree. Looks better in person... Plus, you can take it off and put the old one back on.

JKC

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:33 am

Hmmm...... occasion-based guards.

Checkered when you're reliving your past, deep blue when depressed (winter's coming on), autumnal browns, yellows and reds (winter's almost gone). Many possibilities..........

revolver · Post by **revolver** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 8:01 am

I just purchased a 330 jetglo and want to do the 'Paul Weller" all black tuxedo look.

The whole TRC trade deal is quite a pain for actual customers. If I ever wanted to go back to white I'd have to drop another $45 and trade in my black TRC. I'd like to always have both handy so I could swap back and forth to suit my indecision!

It's too bad I couldn't keep both and e-mail Rickenbacker a monthly pic of both my TRC's along with a copy of that day's paper! <just kidding>

So who do I turn to for the pickguard? Would everyone here recommend pickguardian?

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:22 am

Dave, I'm planning on doing the same all-black thing as soon as I find a 370.

(and I share your TRC frustration)

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:43 am

I recommend Pickguardian without reservation. I have dealt with Tony a few times and he has always been helpful and responsive. One caveat... Kenny Howes or John Hall, chip in if necessary...

The upper guard (and maybe the lower) have slightly changed over the years. I ordered a checked guard set for my early '90's 360 (see above). They are both a slightly different shape... (The teardrop is wider at the top on the Pickguardian set). The upper guard fits great but it slightly overhangs the lower guard. If I wanted to do both guards (and I don't), I'd have to fill and redrill the holes in the guitar... Which I will not do.

My understanding (and this may be wrong) is that the "... modern" 360's are slightly different. (My BurgandyGlo is shaped slightly different than my early 90's JetGlo).

The upper guard fit fine with no modification and I did not like the look of the two together so I never brought it up with Tony.

Now, that being said... I picked up a 480 and cracked the guard. I sent Tony the guard to replicate. Perfect fit.

So... I'd check with Tony, and I'd probably send my original guard sets for him to duplicate in your color of choice.

As for quality, very, very nice and right on par with original equipment Rick stuff. I'll post some close-ups of the checked guard. You may not like the color, but you can see that he pays attention to finish details.

My long winded two cents. Hope this helps.

JKC

PS As is obvious from above, I like Tony and think he does good work so feel free to take this issue up with him directly... Just be sure to tell him I wasn't slamming him for an ill-fitting guard.

PPS As for the TRC rant, I'm not trying to be a sycophant, but I think I have to side with Rick on that one. My one suggestion would be some sort of torqued down sale process where the Rick would have to be taken to dealer (or sent to the factory) and verified before ordering a duplicate that was also stamped with a serial number... And then some sort of enforcement if the serial number stamped nameplate turned up on a POS bolt-on with the infamous scissor tailpiece. (Most of you would complain about the burden and expense of that procedure too).

Here is a silver lining...

If you buy a Fender or Gibson or whatever else... You don't even have the option of switching to a gold or black TRC. You're stuck with a maple or black peghead and a decal.