Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have just purchased a second hand Rickenbacker 4003 jetglo bass.
The instrument has a black hardware except for the trussrod cover which is white.
As I have read is it possible to obtain a replacement (I need a black one) through the factory
I have sent a message to customers service. by the web syte, but no answer.
Is Someone able to let me know the correct procedure to follow since?

I don't know if the procedure is the same being in Italy. Ric customer service would have to address that. But the two times I swapped TRCs all I had to do was send the original and payment ($50 U.S. plush shipping, if my feeble memory serves), then they sent the replacement upon receipt of the original.

Mario, another way is to spray the TRC black then sand the lettering down to the white plastic to have white lettering.

John,I don't think is a good work.
I can make another TRC, whit carved letters in a Black Blank 3 Ply B/W/B.

But I prefere the original!

Search eBay, black TRC's are not that rare. But I'd still consider spraying a white TRC black, like John suggested.

eBay sellers want more or less 200$.
I think it is not good business for me!

I've thought about the refinish idea on the TRC's before, but what about the "made in USA"? Does this hurt the value?

only way that I can think is vintage mode,
a trasparent plexiglass whit a sticker behind.

You don't want to do that...it looks bad, and you'll in essence be creating a counterfeit TRC. The idea of spraying it black and scraping or sanding off the letters is a good one, or you can spray it black and paint the tops of the raised letters white.

Yes, the "MADE IN USA" will be obscured, but there are compromises everywhere.

As far as I know, even if you were in the USA, RIC would not do a white-for-black swap.

This "refinishing" of a TRC brings up an interesting question. It seems it's perfectly OK to remove the entire finish on a RIC guitar then paint it again with a different color, add different binding, etc., etc. So, what about an old plexi TRC? If one were to remove the old paint and then repaint it, including the "Rickenbacker" lettering, would this then be considered a counterfeit TRC, or just a refin?

jingle_jangle wrote:As far as I know, even if you were in the USA, RIC would not do a white-for-black swap.

I've done it twice since 2005, the most recent my '08 Jetglo last Spring.

I have a hard time getting too worked up about the idea of an individual making their own TRC for personal use, although I take strong issue with one being sold or transferred to someone else. In my book, "counterfeit" implies the intent to deceive a buyer.

cjj wrote:This "refinishing" of a TRC brings up an interesting question. It seems it's perfectly OK to remove the entire finish on a RIC guitar then paint it again with a different color, add different binding, etc., etc. So, what about an old plexi TRC? If one were to remove the old paint and then repaint it, including the "Rickenbacker" lettering, would this then be considered a counterfeit TRC, or just a refin?

Regarding the white for black swap, great! I guess this policy has changed, so mazel tov.

Re: the repainting of a plexi TRC, I've been removing the paint but not the lettering (a tricky and tedious process...) when refinishing these. Here's the reasoning: The TRC shape is trade-dress protected. The Rickenbacker script is, as well. So, leaving both and changing or renewing the background color, is OK.

Ken, I agree that "counterfeit (as a term) implies intent to deceive. And, to make a "lookalike" for one's own use with no profit motive is within the letter of the law (at least as far as I can see). It's if and when the instrument passes out of the hands of the person who made the lookalike part, that trouble begins.

jingle_jangle wrote:As far as I know, even if you were in the USA, RIC would not do a white-for-black swap.

I have a black TRC with a crack at the top hole. When I talked to Kenny a year or so ago about a replacement, his reply was there weren't any to be had.

Paul, I don't wanna ruin an original part!