Different pickguard for 650D?

kenf · Post by **kenf** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 5:26 am

After years of wanting one, I finally have a 650D on order - it'll be nice to have a second Ric in the house (joining my '80 Azureglo 4001 - I'm a bass player).

The only thing that bugs me about the Dakota is the chrome plated pickguard. Is anyone aware of a replacement two piece or one piece drilled to fit? I didn't have any luck in the archives.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Sun Apr 25, 2004 5:58 pm

I ordered a black upper and lower (designed to fit a 320/350) from RIC and put it on my 650D. I use the 5th knob as a master volume.

Yes, the hole-pattern is quite different.

profjeff · Post by **profjeff** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 6:37 pm

Am I the only one who likes the chrome scratchplate?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:32 am

Being metal, the plate lends itself nicely to being replated or powder-coated in just about any finish you'd like, probably for less than what anyone would charge you to make a new one.

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:50 am

There was an earlier thread on the 650 that I posted photos of mine with a black pickguard made by Don Adamek. I had 2 problems with the chrome pickguard. It was extremely wavy, the reflections were very distorted, and it was not tight to the body. It is held at the ends only by 2 screws and when you used the knobs (especially the toggle), the panel moved. I added a 3rd screw aligned with the bridge pickup to prevent this. I'll try to post them here again.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:54 am

Nice looking combination Bruce. I will expect to see your comments under the lefty thread at some point.

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 7:30 am

Peter - What lefty thread? Are you starting one?

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 8:01 am

Bruce - not to get off topic, but is that a clear gloss finish ovre walnut on your guitar?

squid · Post by **squid** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:42 am

No, I think that's a Maple-Glo 650C. They're available in all Ric colours now. Looks good doesn't it?

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:01 am

Looks great

So I guess the actual wood is maple, not walnut? I can;t really tell but it definitely looks darker than the maple on my 330. Probably the lighting and my POS school-system monitor.

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:17 am

All maple, but the body wood and neck is definitely a different color than the fretboard. The fretboard has a yellowish tint to it. Different tree, I guess. The black pickguard goes well with the black TRC.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Mon Apr 26, 2004 1:00 pm

"The black pickguard goes well with the black TRC."

That's why I went with black, too.

Also, I went with the two-tiered pickguard for "logistical" reasons. I can play with my thumb, hold onto the vibrato bar with a couple of my fingers, and rest my other fingers on the upper pickguard. It works for me...

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:58 am

That is a glorious guitar! They come in all standard colors? I suppose that doesn't include the clear colors available on the CI's? Ya know, if it came without a pickguard, ala the CII bass, it would look awesomely modern, not that it doesn't now.

skidmark · Post by **skidmark** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:02 am

pickguards.com (aka WD music products) will make
any shape you give them. Just trace your pickguard
on a piece of thick paper and give it to 'em. I
believe it's fairly cheap too.

skidmark · Post by **skidmark** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:25 pm

Here's a picture of a black matte pickguard.
After reading this thread, I decided to make one.