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Rickenbacker 4003 alternative pickguard design

garrett77

garrett77

Dec 12, 2009
401
592
Los Angeles, CA
#1
Hello, all. Just playing around with alternative pickguard designs for my 4003. Always tinkering. My design on the left, original on the right.

Anyone do something similar?

4003-alt-pickguard-01.jpg
 
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#2
Interesting that you enclosed the bridge pickup like that.

Is this just a concept? If not, how would you deal with the pickup screws and how it's mounted to the current housing as opposed to the plexi pickguard cover?

Just curious how this would be done.

Looks different, almost like a 4002. :)
 
#3
I plan to make the pickguard once I am fairly happy with the design. The two pickup screws remain in their original position. The two original pickup cover screws at the bridge are used for the new pickguard. The two remaining screws at the neck side are covered by the new bridge.

One minor issue is the original pickup cover has left marks in the finish - seen in dashed red line below.

4003-alt-pickguard-02.jpg
 
#5
Tarrbot said:
Also, the pickup itself sits deep and you may have clearance issues by lowering the plane the pickup sits at. That or have to replace the screws with shorter ones.
Click to expand...

The screws will need to be shorter. I plan to replace them.

The original surround is 3/8" above the surface of the body. The new pickguard is 1/8", so the drop will be 1/4". I have more than 1/4" space at the springs. I plan to replace the springs with rubber or silicone spacers to allow the pickup to be adjusted into position. Worst case, the plastic of the pickup bracket can be filed away while leaving plenty of thread.

The setup is similar to the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].
 
#6
I've never seen the pickguardian up close but I'm familiar with them.

Looking at that plate, it maintains the 3/8" height above the plane of the bass.

I'm not sure how much depth is needed for this to work correctly with the current pickup. I haven't had mine off lately and I forget how deep it is down there.

I may be just losing my mind, that's all. ;)
 
#7
garrett77 said:
I plan to make the pickguard once I am fairly happy with the design. The two pickup screws remain in their original position. The two original pickup cover screws at the bridge are used for the new pickguard. The two remaining screws at the neck side are covered by the new bridge.

One minor issue is the original pickup cover has left marks in the finish - seen in dashed red line below.

4003-alt-pickguard-02.jpg
Click to expand...

I think the curve above the bridge pickup is sort of uncharacteristically large (more of a Fender curve) and looks maybe a little out of place. Myself, I'd make that radius closer to the upper left radius of the original, just extended back. That would cover the area covered by the original bridge pickup mount. And would look better to my untrained eye.
 
#8
grisezd said:
I think the curve above the bridge pickup is sort of uncharacteristically large (more of a Fender curve) and looks maybe a little out of place. Myself, I'd make that radius closer to the upper left radius of the original, just extended back. That would cover the area covered by the original bridge pickup mount. And would look better to my untrained eye.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Good eye. I agree. I hadn't noticed it was getting too Fender-like. And now my eyes are drawn to it. Almost too generic of a design for a Rick.

I'll take another pass at it.
 
#9
garrett77 said:
Thanks. Good eye. I agree. I hadn't noticed it was getting too Fender-like. And now my eyes are drawn to it. Almost too generic of a design for a Rick.

I'll take another pass at it.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY the same thing I was thinking as I looked at it.
I'd make that curve by the bridge pickup more like the one by the neck pickup.

All in all, I like the original the most, but the design is pretty cool. Almost like a 4002. But then again not.
Interesting.
 
#14
FretlessMainly said:
I too prefer your original design. Joshua mentions that he thinks it goes better with the cresting wave; I actually think it more closely mimics the curve in the bout that goes under your right forearm.
Click to expand...

It's been a year since I first posted this design. Still haven't decided which. But after having much time away, I am starting to lean back towards the first one. The second is a bit too pointy. There may be a happy medium in there.

I'll take another look, and post again. My 4003 is JetGlo. What color should I make the guard? I am 93% sold on keeping it white, but also a little interested in alternatives. Leather was something I considered too - like the classic Wal guards.
 
#17
cassius987 said:
Hi garrett77. I have a bass with a similar pickguard design, but I like yours better and have been wanting a slightly different guard anyways. Could I trouble you for a life-sized template of your original design?
Click to expand...

Sure no problem. I uploaded the file [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

If you need to print smaller, the PDF can be cropped to ledger (11x17 in the states) or A3. I can crop and upload if there is any interest.

Be sure to compare screw holes with your current holes. Seems they vary from year to year.
 

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