Rickenbacker 4003 Pickguard Removal

[Fishyfan]

I want to remove the pickguard to my Rickenbacker 4003. Is this hard? What do I need to do?

 

[EagleMoon]

Remove it for what reason? You won't be able to leave it off. The bridge pickup and controls are connected to the pickguard like Fender's are.

 

[Jaymi]

and there are plenty of routs underneath...it would not be possible to leave the p/g off...maybe another color or???

 

[Fishyfan]

Im taking it off for a concert. going to have a bassist sign it for me.

 

[Korladis]

Oh. So you're just going to stick it back on again when you get back, right?

Just unscrew the screws on there. I'd advise putting them in a jar or some other container so that they don't get lost. Pop the knobs off and undo the nuts holding the pots to it and you should be good to go. Store those in a jar as well so that you don't lose them.

 

[EagleMoon]

You just need a screwdriver and possibly some needle nose pliers for the nuts on the pots.

 

[dog1]

It's easy. Take out the 8 screws and remove the guard. The neck pup, pots and switch are attached to the guard. It'll look something like this

 

[RickenBoogie]

Wouldn't it be easier to have something like a CD insert, or a tee shirt autographed?

 

[Fishyfan]

Wouldn't it be easier to have something like a CD insert, or a tee shirt autographed?

OTT Is how I roll. besides, the man got me to start playing Ricks, of which I have 5.

 

[EagleMoon]

OTT Is how I roll. besides, the man got me to start playing Ricks, of which I have 5.

You've got 5 Rics and have never taken off the pickguard on any of them? Amazing. I can't quite imagine. I take everything I own apart and put it back together.

 

[dog1]

Yup!

 

[ProfGumby]

Why not buy another Rick pick guard and have him sign that? Then you can put it in a display case or some such thing to protect the signature.

 

[Kenton]

Id prefer to buy a new pick guard as well

 

[RickenBoogie]

Yeah, ok, that's a good plan too. Then, you could always swap it out and put it on one of your Rics, someday.

 

[BassBob185]

I've heard that getting famous or infamous autographs on an instrument may actually reduce the value.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I could be wrong, but i think he wants this bassist to sign the actual bass which will them be hidden and preserved by putting the pick gurad back in place....

or maybe i'm just a goofy bastard and my brain works backwards!?

 

[vbasscustom]

You've got 5 Rics and have never taken off the pickguard on any of them? Amazing. I can't quite imagine. I take everything I own apart and put it back together.

oh man, you too? its a curse really. i take everything apart, but not my basses or my amps. i just check and see if everything is in order. lol

 

[EagleMoon]

oh man, you too? its a curse really. i take everything apart, but not my basses or my amps. i just check and see if everything is in order. lol

Yeah, same here. I want to see what's in there or how they work, or just to make sure it's okay.

 

[Korladis]

I've heard that getting famous or infamous autographs on an instrument may actually reduce the value.

A pickguard is easy to replace.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

I take everything I own apart and put it back together.

i can't do that.whenever i do,i either 1.end up not being able to put it back together for what ever reason.or 2.end up somehow breaking it