Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bumped into a GREEN (almost metallic green, but not quite) '86 4003 today. All black hardware with a line of black trim on the fretboard. Played well, and looked stunning. The split pickguard was thrashed, but otherwise reasonable shape. I have a few questions for those who might know. First, was this a factory colour? Second, would a standard pickguard work as a replacement for a split pickguard? It was offered to me at a reasonable price- anyone want to hazard a guess what this might be worth? Thanks for any input.

if i ran across it somewhere, i'd offer 950-1000. give em a sob story about the trashed pickguard.

It could be an old silver finish. They have turned a green shade in the past. Pics!

It might have been probably silver given the year and the black trim. The cat varnish can yellow some or a lot depending on the environment. You can get a repro pickguard for it from Pickguardian or Don Amadek. I believe a 4003 will be close but all of the screw holes might not line up. If you are looking for a black guard and want new you have to go aftermarket anyway. Silver is a rare color although only somewhat desirable in my opinion. I'd tend to think that 950-1000 bucks might be high if it's yellowed that much and the PG is jacked. If it's not a yellow silver then it's a refin. I'd guess at more like 800-900 but ya never know.

Great minds think alike Mike. Both posting the same answer at the same time!

Isn't that a violation of the laws of space-time???

I agree that it's probably heavily aged Silver. There was a 360 Silver recently on eBay that had yellowed so much that the seller called it "gold".

Gary..you've been watching Tom Baker too much again!

I've been watching since William Hartnell !!!

It wasn't THIS shade of green, was it? This is turquoise. According to the Mike Parks website, it wasn't offered by Rickenbacker until 1991.

No, it's definitely GREEN. It doesn't look like one colour (silver) that's changed; it really is green. I guess perhaps it's a refin? I might try to stop by and get some photos if possible. Would Rick have ever produced it in this colour?

green???

Green!

is that really green ... my was a photoshop trick ...

It's really green...

Maybe its one of Ed Romans creations.