Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

You guys can spot fake stuff pretty well from what I've seen, and I'd like to ask, what are the identifying features of a real original 4001 pickguard?

For example, the one in this pic has 6 screws. Did all real 4001 guards come with 8 screws? I have even seen one with 7...

Thanks a lot for the information.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h133/THB-bassdude/1212D.jpg

Hey Mike! Just to move this along, we've already established there are holes in the maple where the other 2 screws should go, but Mike stated they don't look used. RIC Bass forum.

Hi John, sorry, but it got real slow over there. Thought I'd look here.

Other than the two missing screw holes, I think that one could pass for real. It is a very good reproduction. It could even be a real RIC one that got out of the factory without two of its screw holes, although I've never seen that before and would have doubts about it.

But to answer your question Mike...sometimes the hole for the pickup isn't cut quite right. Maybe its a little too square, or a little too big, or in the wrong location, sometimes the overall pickguard shape isn't quite right, or its the wrong shape for the year of the bass. Sometimes the material isn't quite right.

Don't forget the old masking tape behind the pots and switch! This is not a foolproof dealbreaker, but it's a good quick way to put you on alert for other odd features...

Thanks!
I was looking at pickguardian's website.
Is it correct that a real guard is somewhat transparent? As in you should be able to see slight shadows behind it.

"Don't forget the old masking tape behind the pots and switch!"
Paul, does that mean it should have tape?
This has two, 1" wide strips of old looking making tape under the switch and knobs.
The pots are all dated '73.

The tape makes it seem original to me, Mike. But like Paul said, it's not foolproof.

The tape, if old, is a good indicator that it may be original, because this type of tape takes at least a few years to fully age and yellow; few people who replace guards bother to tape under the components.

It seems there's virtually nothing else been messed with on the bass, and at the same time it seems odd that Ric would not put all the holes in a guard before delivery.

If you try and screw a pickguard screw into those 2 holes in the wood, it won't go in easily with fingers. Like there never was one in there.

Interesting.

Not so odd. Back then, the screw holes in each guard were drilled and countersunk one at a time on a drill press. Missing one or two holes must have occasionally happened; human error.

Thanks guys!
I notice the guard sits right up next to the pickup surround.
There should be a small (1/8") gap there. correct?

Not necessarily. (I think)

Thanks guys.
OK, at the risk of being wrong, I am convinced this is original. It appears to have been hand-cut. Some edges are not totally uniform as if by machine.
The tape on back is very fragile, and won't peel, it tends to rip in small parts easily.

Sounds like its probably original, Mike. And as Sean indicated, the gap between pickguard and the treble pickup surround was not there on all 4001 basses. Sometimes there was a gap, sometimes not. I don't know if it should be the same for all basses of a certain period or not.