Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'd like to figure out a way to make a pickguard for my 4004. It would have to snap on over the pickups or something as I'm not willing to screw holes in it. At the same time, I don't want to scratch it.

Hmm...I'll bet you'd like that in gold too Marc. The nuts that hold the pots in could hold the guard on at the bottom. Do those pickups sit flush with the basses top or above? If flush, they could poke through the guard with their heighth adjustment screws holding the guard down. A clear guard would also be cool.

Either you want the pickguard for cosmetic reasons, or if your like me, when you play funk, (Slap,pop), there's just a little to much gap between the strings and body, and you tend to take to much of a bite with your fingers right???

In the Smith book is a photo of a "prototype" Jetglo 4001 with two toasters that has to be where the inspiration for the 4004 came from. The pickguard on that bass looks like that from a 4005; the whole package looks great. I am glad that John Hall chose to use a modern, more compact bridge on the 4004, as the 4001 style bridge looks too bulky on the "prototype" with the toaster near it.

I actually was thinking of getting a 4004 and trying to make it like the "prototype 4001s" in the smith book.

I'd change the bridge though to the usual style rick bridge. I could be wrong but I think the big bridge has something to do with the sound.

I'd leave the pickups where they are on the 4004 though.

A fully-reversable pickguard, cool! Especially in Gold... Mmm.

Just so long as you don't ruin that beaut, the only BB Cii we're ever likely to see... wow.

Give it a good coat of carnuba wax then affix a small, thin piece of plexi (colored and shaped as you like) with some low-tac 3M spray adhesive. Apply the adhesive only to the back of the guard and it will be kinda like a Post-It Note. You can put it on or leave it off as often as you like.

isn't the whole point of getting a 4004 is to not have a pickguard??? and to not have a 4000 tailpiece???

otherwise just get a 4001/4003 and round the edges of the bass ... like that mustard one on ebay ...

The bass in the picture in the smith book looks really cool. Have you seen it?

To me part of the charm of a 4004Cii is the gorgeous natural woods used. Why paint over it, get a Laredo if you want a solid color!

If I ever did do it, it would be a 4004L, I like jetglo!

Are there any other pictures of the prototype 4001 besides the one in the Smith book?

"To me part of the charm of a 4004Cii is the gorgeous natural woods used. Why paint over it, get a Laredo if you want a solid color!"

I agree, Jeff.

Marc,
Forgive me if this question of mine is too direct: Do you somehow regret ordering your Cii in the Blue Boy finish so that now you're trying to make it look a bit different?

Hmmm! I think a white pickguard could actually enhance the blue. It is an interesting idea.