Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello everyone. First, I'd like to send everyone a warm greeting as it's my first post on the forum.

Second, I'd like to ask about obtaining a replacement trussrod cover for my 2012 Ric 330. I had a bit of a mishap whilst changing the strings and cleaning the guitar. I attempted to clean off some residue that was on the headstock with a rag that contained some Contact Cleaner, and ended up stripping some of the black print off of the trussrod cover. I saw on Rickenbacker's website that I'd have to send in the damaged one (which I'm prepared to do), but there's no mention of the cost for a replacement. Yesterday I called Rickenbacker directly, but couldn't get anyone live. Has anyone gone through the process of obtaining a replacement trussrod cover from Rickenbacker?

Just repaint the raised letters with a black touch up paint pen like you'd find in an auto parts store. Anything that would strip black paint can't be good for a Rick finish. To obtain a new TRC, you'll need to call RIC, give them your guitars serial number, get a return authorization number, pay them $50+shipping, and send them your old TRC.

aceonbass wrote:Just repaint the raised letters with a black touch up paint pen like you'd find in an auto parts store.

In fact I did just such a repair several years ago, I used a black enamel paint pen. Eventually I bought a Plexi TRC on eBay but the original has held up ever since.

Thanks guys. I hadn't thought of repainting the letters. Funny thing is I have one of Testors enamel paint markers. I did contact Rickenbacker's customer service to get a return authorisation number. However, instead of $50 they want $110.

$110??? WTF?!! Nothin' like taking care of your customers!

aceonbass wrote:$110??? WTF?!! Nothin' like taking care of your customers!

Just wanted to update this thread. I was initially quoted the wrong amount, but they did get back with me to correct it. It's $110 for a tailpiece, and $60 for a truss rod cover.

Still too much for a truss rod cover. I make my own now if I need one.

Someone school me on the back story with TRC availability. Why would they not sell them & more importantly, why not black ones?

Rickenbacker will only swap a TRC with the same kind you send them. You can't buy them, except from places like ebay.

They used to let customers send then a TRC and some money and get any type of TRC you wanted, but that stopped fairly long ago.

Whipsnade wrote:Someone school me on the back story with TRC availability. Why would they not sell them & more importantly, why not black ones?

Mainly because they don't have any more black ones... They have not made them since the 90s.

The last few black TRCs have sometimes shown up on a few of the "one off" instruments RIC sells over Ebay. (Have not seen any of those for a while - the last few of these seem to have been sold through their dealers).

The reason TRCs are now so hard to come by is because too many were being bought only to put on fake instruments. By keeping them relatively rare (and hence expensive), this in theory cuts down on the problem. RIC replaces them for much less (if you have a broken one to exchange) then it will cost to buy one off of Ebay.

Got my replacement in about a week. The top hole on the TRC didn't exactly align, so I filled in the hole in the headstock and drilled in a new one. $60 (includes return shipping) plus the damaged TRC to get a new one. Pricey for a piece of plastic, but it beats paying up to $150 for a used one on Reverb or Ebay. At least I've got my 330 looking proper again.

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:

Whipsnade wrote:Someone school me on the back story with TRC availability. Why would they not sell them & more importantly, why not black ones?

Mainly because they don't have any more black ones... They have not made them since the 90s.

The last few black TRCs have sometimes shown up on a few of the "one off" instruments RIC sells over Ebay. (Have not seen any of those for a while - the last few of these seem to have been sold through their dealers).

Seems like a perfectly good reason to make some more. It's my guitar, BS that I cant customize it to be like I want it without original parts or some threatened lawsuit. I hated the mint PG on my Tele, I changed it. I hated the MinETune & TRC on my SG, I bought Gibson tuners and new Gibson TRC to replace it. Would be nice if I could by a legit item that they've made before & could easily make again.

Second Mapleglo Ric, and I want black PGs & TRC. LAME

It's my guitar, BS that I cant customize it to be like I want it without original parts or some threatened lawsuit. I hated the mint PG on my Tele, I changed it. I hated the MinETune & TRC on my SG, I bought Gibson tuners and new Gibson TRC to replace it. Would be nice if I could by a legit item that they've made before & could easily make again.

Couldn't agree more.

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:

Whipsnade wrote:Someone school me on the back story with TRC availability. Why would they not sell them & more importantly, why not black ones?

Mainly because they don't have any more black ones... They have not made them since the 90s.

I don't think so... 4004 basses show black TRC, so they do produce them!

marcinkus wrote:

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:

Whipsnade wrote:Someone school me on the back story with TRC availability. Why would they not sell them & more importantly, why not black ones?

Mainly because they don't have any more black ones... They have not made them since the 90s.

I don't think so... 4004 basses show black TRC, so they do produce them!

Those are black with silver lettering, not white. Of course, if one got ahold of one the tops of the lettering (except the Made In USA, of course) could be sanded and repainted, if desired.