Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi, just wanted to send in a "testimonial" for [email protected]. He's made 4 sets of pickguards for me and they were ALL excellent. He made them for a '60 360, 420, 381, and a 615. If you need one or some, and RIC doesn't have them, get the good DR. to make them for you!

I haven't gotten to mine yet, but I will be sending the DR a tracing of my lower one soon, so that I can have him make a replacement set for my 335.

Just a quick question... Does RIC make Gold guards, or do I have to get that made special? I'm just thinking I'd like a gold guard with something like the desertglo colouring.

The gold guards are not being made to my knowledge .

REASON? they gold powder in the spray booth and the clean up after wards ...it gets everywhere .

Don ([email protected]) does not have to worry about that ,as that is the only 'color' he sprays.

You might also tarce the top /sharkfin guard also just to make sure the holes line up .The bottoms on 360 guards were molded for years ...the tops were cut out one at a time -individually and the holes drilled by eye.There was a pattern that was layed on the plexiglass sheets and penciled in ...if the hole driller moved a hole off center it wasn't by much ,but it happened .The holes on some of the guards they get 'modified' to fit the top ....weird but true .Things have changed since those days.

Yes, Rick Does have gold guards, but you need to check with them as to just which ones they have.
I have been doing aftermarket gold guards,and they have been well received, but, after this last weekends' trip to Daves Guitar in Lacrosse,Wi., I see that Rickenbacker has changed the gold they use on the guards.I have to rethink what I'm doing, as the readily available hobby paint I have used that pretty closely approximated the Rick gold is Not close enough to the new Rick gold.The new gold looks Much more "metallic" than the previous gold,and,interestingly,looks to me to be much closer to the gold used on guards and nameplates in the 50s and early 60s.I think maybe this is not just a coincidence,as the new "C" series is coming out, and the '58 325, which has the gold
guards, Definitely benefits from this more "historically accurate" look.I may not offer gold guards anymore,at least till I can see if I can find some commercially made gold paint in spray cans that will look close.On the other hand, if someone has a Rick made between early to late 90s, that already had factory gold guards, and needs a broken one replaced, the gold I have been using Will work for that.Remember the old adage, "Specifications subject to change without notice".Had I not gone to Daves and seen all the new Ricks with the new gold,I might not have found out about this change until much later.I might as well mention here now, that likely within the next 2-3 months, I am planning a move from the mainland to Hawaii, and, as this is a Major undertaking, my shop, and therefore my availability to be making replacement guards will be put on temporary "hold".I will be taking all my tools with me, and setting up shop ASAP after I get there and get settled.I don't know exactly
how this is all coming down with the timing, but as I see it now, probably after the end of November or so, I will be packing up my stuff, and won't get reestablished till February.So, thanks for bearing with me, and thanks to all who have entrusted me to help them restore their beloved Ricks.

In my business, stonecarving, sometimes people want the lettering painted gold.. the gold paints all seem a bit too "butterscotchy" so I started using brass paint. It is as you describe, more metallic..more like gold leaf. I would try that.. I get mine from a local Tru-Value hardware store.

I buy my powder from printers supply houses

This is what Gibson and Fender used in their respective gold and or silver guitars as top or base coats