If you are a fingerstyle player with a Rickenbacker 4001 or 4003, you know there is no really good place to
"hang your thumb" . You see many Rics with a wear spot at the corner of the pickguard, where players try to
"dig in", and many Rics with the chrome cover removed from the bridge pickup to allow finger style access.
I designed this for my own 4003 as I wanted to make it more comfortable to play and keep the "cover on"
for the classic look that is a big part of this bass for many Ric fans.
This thumb rest is made out of one quarter inch thick high quality dead clear polycarbonate,
and precision CNC made in a machine shop here in the USA.
The position and design mean NO NEW HOLES in your bass!
We include two pickguard screws that are slightly longer than the stock Ric screws to accommodate the thickness of the thumbrest,
so you do not even change your screw holes by adding this on.
It's nearly invisible on a black or white guard from a few feet away.
Pics show this clear rest on a flame 4001 and the same clear rest, against a piece of black pick guard stock, for comparison.
( Also pictured is our Frost Edition )
The "Frost Finish" edition -- Like frosted glass - it blends a bit more on white pickguards, but not so well on black.
This is for the people who were asking for a "white one," or who's vintage 4001 guard has developed imperfections over time as only a well loved and well played instrument can.
The polycarbonate we use is only available in clear -
if you have a black guard, the standard clear looks better than frost -- Or check the listings for our black acrylic version. The opaque black acrylic we use is top quality and very strong.
For a white guard, either Frost or Clear works well.
To be "clear" (pun) There is NO WHITE REST FOR A 4001 - we do not have an opaque white stock material available that matches the white patina of a 4001 guard. If you don't think the pic of the "Frost Edition" looks "white enough" it won't look any whiter on your bass. So far all but one buyer has been thrilled with it...
RIC PARTICULARS - Due to variations in models and years and the EXACT FIT these are made to, it is not possible to offer a "one size fits all" version - Believe me it would make our lives easier!
Rickenbacker manufactured model 4001 basses from 1961 thru the mid-1980's.
Rickenbacker's model 4003 began being manufactured in the early 1980's giving some overlap, but eventually it replaced the 4001.
The first 4003's (1980 to 1984 or 1985) used two-piece pickguards. Those are the only 4003's that would use a 4001 thumb rest.
All these models are very similar looking, but the screw spacing is different depending on the pickguard used. They are not quite interchangeable, and while the differences many only be a few millimeters in spacing, we make a custom version for a precision fit for most of the guards.
All models MUST use the appropriate version due to those differences in measurements - See notes below.
(We have a few 85mm 4001's out on Tokai Ric copies now and they fit well.)
The 4001 model, fits the 1975 and onward bass - As a rule not for 1974 and earlier.
The transition went across the model years -1975 through 1978 - so you need to measure.
Please check your neck pickup - if it is about an inch from the fingerboard, the 4001 unit should fit.
If your 4001 has the neck pickup close (about 1/2 inch) from the fingerboard - you will likely require our 4001vtg87 model!
Will it Fit? Best Method - measure the distance between the two screws - (screw center to screw center)
- the ones above the neck pickup that you would use to mount the thumb rest:
84mm is a classic 4003.
85mm is a newer style 4001 and takes our standard model 4001.
87mm is the older style 4001 as well as some of the custom Ric models, and needs our 4001vtg87 (87mm) model -- same price, send us a message to let us know that's the one you need!
The 4001S bass is yet again different - On more recent ones, the standard 85mm 4001 model will fit (you must measure to be sure).
Older 4001S models might require the 90mm special order version - email me about it!.
The 4001C64 edition - Special order - email for price and availability before buying!
The 4001V63 edition - Special order - email for price and availability before buying!
I may request you send a cell phone pic of your bass to verify version and fit.
Take the pic dead on - over the neck pickup - from about 2 feet away.