Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi there,

I'm currently restoring an early '70s 4000. The pickguard (which may or may not be original) that came with the bass is a semi-opaque acrylic, with a white backing. My question is: What is the correct trussrod cover for this bass? I've seen the covers in both solid white and clear acrylic with a decal backing...or would the material match the semi-opaque pickguard described above? If any of you have early '70s Rics, I'd love your input.

Thanks much!

I think the correct trc for that era is a clear plastic with a painted back ...

The pickguards from that era were solid white and hand made ... all a little different ...

Jeff's right, my 1973 4001 has a clear TRC, with the rick logo and white coloring painted on the back

I swear all pickguard are just solid white or black? unless of course they are gold ones

Yeah same here, see through with decal on the back, and all the Ric pickguards I've seen were solid non see through white or black. Good luck finding one, those are rare and expensive. TRC's I mean.

That isn't a decal, it's painted on.

The correct pickguard is a translucent white, which it sounds like you have.

Both my '68 4000 and Dec '73 4001 have the TRC that is reverse painted/ clear acrylic.

My 72 TRC cover is the same, I think I said decal for clarity's sake, but I didn't know that it was painted. I have three 70's 4001's, a 72, 78, and 79, and the pickguards all look like the same material to me. And the 72 is original. For all intents and purposes mine are solid, if you held one up in front of a light it would shine through I suppose. I think semi-opaque would be a good description. But mine are white material not just a white backing. But I would think that unless someone custom made a pickguard for that it would be original as I think that those were not common enough for aftermarket stuff. Did you buy that one from Ebay a few weeks ago?

Thanks much for the input, everyone...very very helpful!

And yes, I did buy the bass recently on eBay. Not my first choice for a 4000 (I would have preferred a neck-through), but for under $500 I can't complain. There are some issues--a fairly ugly rout to accomodate a Gibson-esque humbucker, plus a couple needless holes in the peghead for a string guide. But I already had the correct pickup assembly, and with a scratchbuilt pickguard and trussrod cover, the bass looks very close to stock.

I saw that bass just screaming for someone to take it and restore it, the thought crossed my mind but the daughter needs braces......anyway, good luck, with a few parts it should make a great player.

Welcome aboard, Seth.
Good luck on restoring your new baby.

Thanks so much you guys, I'll post a picture once it's done!

Best,
Seth