Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I bought my Shadow in 1992. The original pickups were replaced with Bartolinis in 1995 and the original pickguard was replaced with a custom mirror pickguard and knobs were replaced with chrome ones. It was heavily played for about 13 years and has quite a few nicks and some rust around the bridge pickup. The pickguard is in ****** shape and should be replaced. What is my best course of action for maximizing the value? I don't have any of the original parts that were replaced and I realize that will affect its value. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Shag Waits wrote:I bought my Shadow in 1992. The original pickups were replaced with Bartolinis in 1995 and the original pickguard was replaced with a custom mirror pickguard and knobs were replaced with chrome ones. It was heavily played for about 13 years and has quite a few nicks and some rust around the bridge pickup. The pickguard is in ****** shape and should be replaced. What is my best course of action for maximizing the value? I don't have any of the original parts that were replaced and I realize that will affect its value. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Welcome! A good replacement pickguard can be gotten (http://www.pickguardian.com) and the style of knobs that originally came on it - black vintage style - can be bough from any major RIC dealer or from RIC directly.

Was any routing done for the pickups? Were any extra holes drilled for the replacement pickguard?

Thanks for the reply! No extra holes were drilled for the pickguard and as far as I know, no routing was done. Forgive me, I'm not very knowledgeable about the inner workings of the instrument. I paid someone to do the work for me. When I eventually post it on the Bay, I guess I should state what was done regarding the pickguard and knobs?

Shag Waits wrote:Thanks for the reply! No extra holes were drilled for the pickguard and as far as I know, no routing was done. Forgive me, I'm not very knowledgeable about the inner workings of the instrument. I paid someone to do the work for me. When I eventually post it on the Bay, I guess I should state what was done regarding the pickguard and knobs?

Well, neither is a big deal. Just state that they're replacements but are identical to stock (which they will be).

I would have reccomended that you put a set of RIC pickups in there, but finding the pickups with Black Trim might be tough. It's going to hurt the price some that it's not all original and does have some wear.

How about some photos?

I'll try to post some photos later tonight. Thanks for the advice.

Make sure you tell Tony at Pickguardian that it's for a 1986 Ric, so he can use the correct template for a perfect fit. He made one for me and it's indistinguishable from the real thing.

Vintage style knobs are not a problem. You will need Ric pickups, preferably period correct ('80's button-tops), search eBay and with some patience you'll find what you need. Then have the neck pickup powdercoated black. Do you have the black handrest? because they are very hard to find and you can't buy them from RIC.

It's good to know that it was a player bass and not a museum piece. These basses are great and should be played. Next time keep all the original parts in the case...

I hope a Forumite buys it!

send the pickguard to tony to ensure proper fitting.

I've already been in contact with Tony and I'm going to send him my pickguard. I'm not sure I have the patience to wait for the 80's Ric pickups. I don't have the handrest, unfortunately.

i'm interested. let us know when it gets listed.

Some photos:

I'm also missing one of the black strap buttons. Any suggestions given that they are no longer made?

holy thread resurection batman!


did you sell it, where did it go, and the pics are no longer there, and did you get the black strap buttons?


I have one strap button, but not the other...

I do have the black pickup handrest! so that is good.......


rokkitt

I'll post some pics this weekend, hopefully. I just polished it up real nice a couple days ago. It is still missing one black strap button and the handrest/bridge pickup cover thing. I'm totally digging the Barts, but the true test will be tomorrow's band practice.