Headstock & Pick Guard in Clear or Tortoise

upstairsdave · Post by **upstairsdave** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:37 am

Looking for a clear or tortoise pick guard and head stock Rickenbaker Logo for a 1991 4001V63 Mapleglo. Any recommendations for a good parts source?

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:42 am

It is illegal for anyone other than Rickenbacker to make a truss cover for a Rick, and they didn't make any in tortoise. If you want a pick guard there are a lot of makers. W.D. music products is one. www.pickguards.com They have a couple different kinds of tortoise. One is 1/8 of an inch thick like a Rick guard, but when tortoise gets that thick its hard to tell if its tortoise or black. Also try the pickguardian. W.D. also has 1/8" thick in clear. If you send your original, they can custom cut one for your guitar with the correct shape and screw holes. They charge around $85.00 for this.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 6:11 am

What if the truss rod cover was blank? Is it the name or the shape?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 6:46 am

Both. It is also illegal to put a tortoise pickgaurd on a Rickenbacker!

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 6:53 am

It is illegal even if it is blank. Rickenbacker has rights to the shape! I've tried W.D. and they wouldn't touch it. I think Jeffrey Scott means that it SHOULD be illegal to put a tortoise pick guard on a Rick! I guess he is one of the many who prefer a stock Rick!

upstairsdave · Post by **upstairsdave** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:55 am

I saw a custom Rick on Ebay that has the clear truss rod cover. I'd like to get both to let the beauty of the Maple finish to show through. I guess I should contact Rickenbacker about purchasing them. The item number for the custom Rick is 3715029815.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:21 am

Oh, that one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3715029815). It's the gold TRC and guard.

First, David, you cannot purchase a gold TRC from RIC, and second, how would a gold guard "let the beauty of the maple show through"? And if you do have a custom clear guard specially cut for you, it would show the body routing, which is better left hidden under the original (and correct) white guard. Have you looked under it?

upstairsdave · Post by **upstairsdave** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 11:33 am

Good point. I guess I wasn't thinking about the pick guard as much as the truss rod cover. I guess the original setup is the best way to go anyway.
Thanks

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 11:38 am

A clear TRC would show the route and nuts for the truss rods, so that wouldn't be a great idea either. Best to be traditional.

;0)

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 11:52 am

Dave Meros did the T-Shell thing...

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:06 pm

But, does it look good?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:12 pm

Doesn't work for me,....but to each his own.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:42 pm

I'm glad I saw that shot of Dave Meros. I love p-basses with that look and had planned to do that with my project(if it ever gets going).

Doesn't work for me on a Ric

madscotsman · Post by **madscotsman** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:19 pm

" It is also illegal to put a tortoise pickgaurd on a Rickenbacker!"

"It is illegal even if it is blank. Rickenbacker has rights to the shape! I've tried W.D. and they wouldn't touch it. I think Jeffrey Scott means that it SHOULD be illegal to put a tortoise pick guard on a Rick! I guess he is one of the many who prefer a stock Rick"

As far as I see it, one should be able to do what ever they please to their guitar once they purchase it, because it is then THEIR property, and should be able to modify as they please. Now if you make parts and then try to sell them that is different. Ricenbacker, I think, should allow some licensing of some of their parts, so people can repair or modify their guitars to spec if they want, otherwise you will just have to make them on your own.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:23 pm

Illegal isn't the right word. It's trademark infringement, not a violation of a statute.

For your own non-commercial use, you could make a blank one yourself. Use it in public and you'd be straddling a fine line.