Treble Pickup Cover Fitting Problems

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:06 pm

I thought I'd introduce myself to the rest of the guys before I begin - I've just recently become a Rickaholick after 20 years of playing and I am amazed at how quick it happened. I've tried all manner of basses before coming across my 74 4001 which makes me grin every time I open the case, let alone play it.

Anyway, my problem is that I have decided to replace the missing treble pickup cover but have noticed that the pickup is too close to the cover to let the strings pass through comfortably. I found a diagram on the rick website. http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/bpickups.pdf

The part I am missing looks like it part of the pickup base but is missing from my pickup.

My question to the guys in the forum is - is this part available and if not, what are the dimensions so that I can find something else to increase the distance between the pickup and the cover?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:11 pm

On older treble high gains there are two plastic spacers that hold the cover above the bobbin top. The newer design has the spacers built into the base plate. I will look around in my parts box to see if I have some. I will get you a measurement of the thickness. You can probably find a suitable replacement at your local hardware store. BTW welcome to the forum!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:33 pm

Also the older pickup covers were shorter.The one in the diagram may be for the taller one.

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:08 pm

This is definitely a tall one - I originally got the order of the pickup/spring/cover wrong and the cover was sitting really high over the strings, I then changed it so that the screw went throgh the surround/spring/cover/pickup and that was the mirror opposite with their being no gap betwen the pickup and the cover so I need to find out the distance between the pickup and the cover

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 4:19 pm

I can't find a loose one so I attempted to measure one in place. It looks like 3/16th tall will do it for you. Most hardware stores sell nylon/plastic spacers and washers. You could even cut it from a section of thick walled plastic tubing. Take the adjuster screw to the store with you to test the inner diameter fit.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 4:56 pm

I tried to replace the p/u cover in my '74 with a new one & it didn't work at all. I had to send it back.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:36 pm

ACE has aluminium (UK spelling) spacers, polish them to look cool.

lars · Post by **lars** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:59 pm

I had the same problem (spacers missing). I just cut 1 cm lengths of a ballpoint pen housing, and put between the base plate of the PU and the cover/springs. Works fine! When I adjust the PU height, the cover follows up and down. You may also put the spacers between the PU surround and springs for a fixed cover height.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:35 am

dont know if this helps - but my old 73 that i sold had an aluminium baseplate under the pickup, and a very short cover that was installed ABOVE the springs - and sit flush with the metal surround. It was in a fixed position (the right position i might add) and didnt move up and down when pickup height was adjusted

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:56 am

Thanks guys - I'll have play around with it today to see how I get on.

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:19 am

I found a couple of stubby strap buttons that seemed to do the trick.

I was wondering how close the bridge cover normally sits to the strings?

I've never played a Rick with the cover intact so I have no previous experience. I bought this one to put my Ric back to original specs.