Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

There is a WD 4003 split PG on ebay at the moment. Are they very close to the real thing? I really need a replacement PG for my 4003, but would rather have the real deal, unless the WD ones are exactly the same.

the spacing on the screwholes varied a bit from bass to bass. unless you are buying it for next to nothing, you're better off sending your current pickguard to pickguardian to have an accurate replacement.

WD stands for Wrong Dimensions. Wrong material (vinyl instead of Plexi), beveled edges, too thin, screw holes that don't line up, post-74 neck pickup spacing with pre-74 knobs layout, anything that could be wrong, IS wrong. In short: stay away. I'd recommend Tony Dudzik (Pickguardian) and Don Adamek.

Thanks, i will stay well clear...!

Who's Don Adamek?
Does he have a web site?

I believe he is a forum member.

Another satisfied Pickguardian customer here.

Don Adamek posts occasionally, I'm not sure that he has time to make pickguards anymore.

"post-74 neck pickup spacing with pre-74 knobs layout"

Ilan, slightly off topic- you mentioned the knob layout also changed with the pickup spacing change circa ~1974. In what way were did the layout change? I'm curious because my 1975's pickguard has the 1 inch spacing but I have been told it has the "old" knob layout. I appreciate it, I can provide a good picture if it will help.

Thanks

Another vote for Tony @ Pickguardian!

I bought a pickguard from Tony for my 4003, and I would buy from again if he had more of a selection of colors.
I'm thinking of having one in this color made for my natural 75 RI J bass. I think this color would look great on a mapleglow too.

I will also put in a good word for Tony Dudzik @ PickGuardian.... Very proffesional!!! He is a perfectionist!!!! He takes the time to talk with you and go over excactly what you want...
My dealing with WD have always wound up not good..I waited 3 months for a second P-bass pickguard that STILL did not line up to my tracings!!!

Best Regards
Chris

Dave: the "old" layout has the 4 knobs forming a parallelogram. Look at any v63 or c64 and it will become clear. Post-75 guards have the neck pickup volume knob moved slightly upwards, so that the bridge volume, neck volume and the switch almost form a straight line. In the last few years the knobs are again forming a parallelogram, but the guards have now developed a "hump" below the switch.

I've seen 75's (including yours, Dave) that have the parallel knobs and 1" pickup spacing.

I have had pickguards made by Don Adamek (for my Shadow) and Tony Dudzik (for my white 73) and they are both very accurate. I sent the old pickguard to Don for him to replicate, but with Tony I didn't send anything, not even a tracing, and I got the pickguard and the screw holes lined perfectly. Maybe it was luck, maybe he just had an original '73 guard to copy.

I've bought only one pickguard from WD --a red tort SR5 -- and it fit exactly. Maybe I was lucky.

"a red tort SR5 -- and it fit exactly"

MM's and Fenders are easy. With Ric pickguards you have a different material, and a shape that varies a little almost every year

Since you mentioned tort, my sources tell me that Pickguardian has the best tort material right now, the closest to the "real thing" that Fender used in the mid-60's.

In that case, I'd definitely go with a company that'll do one from a tracing.