Loose neck pickup...HELP!!

brentsimons · Post by **brentsimons** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:26 am

Hi fellas,
After hearing an annoying crackle I realized that my neck pickup is sliding back and forth just a little under it's chrome cover.Can I tighten something to stop it's movement.Help!!
Brent

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 9:17 am

should be able to - the pickup is (i think) attached to irs cover with 4 small screws

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 9:47 am

Brent,
Owen is right. Here's a link to RIC's pickup schematic:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdf/gpickups.pdf

You'll need a very small wrench to hold the nut while tightening the screw with a small-blade screwdriver. Of course, be careful not to strip the head or the threads of the screw, or that will be an additional headache!

Let us know how it turns out.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 9:58 am

You can substitute the small wrench with your thumb and index finger holding the nut while fastening if you can't find one in the house.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 6:41 pm

You'll need to remove the pickup from the pick guard first with the two screws on either side of the pickup. Then you'll see the four screws the others are talking about. This seems obvious, but just in case you are dense like I am sometimes, I figured I'd throw that part in.

brentsimons · Post by **brentsimons** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 2:59 am

The four screws are nice and tight.It seems like the cover isn't coming down tight on the pickup.i noticed that there are two rubber gaskets maybe those are too thick preventing contact?

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 3:38 am

Brent,
So the neck pickup's guts are secure and snug in its chrome/nickel plated casing? And the whole pickup "shakes" a little under the pickguard?
Are the rubber grommets (gaskets, donuts) sandwitched tight between the pickguard and the bottom edges of the pickup? If not, you can raise the pickup a little (don't over raise it as you don't wanna crack the pickguard) and see what happens. If the rattling stops then, you're done. But adjust the height of the treble pickup accordingly as the volume of the neck pickup has been raised.

A little foam pad adhered between the guard and the pickup's bottom edges hepls too.

brentsimons · Post by **brentsimons** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 4:03 am

Hi Paul,
Yes the rubber donuts are sandwiched quite tight and it's still loose.Im not sure I understand how to raise the pickup.Pretend Im a 4 year old...
Brent

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 7:09 am

If the grommets are tight then the pickup is probably up all the way all ready, but To raise the bass pickup: tighten each of the two screws on either side of the pickup, these will be on the pickguard, you wil not have to remove the pickguard to see these, but do not overtighten these or as Paul said you can crack the pickguard itself. The rubber grommets are there to enable the bass pickup to be raised and lowered a little according to each players tastes.
If I understand correctly though your problem is not the whole pickup in the case, but the pickups' guts inside the chrome case, correct? If you have tightened the four screws down all the way and it still moves a little if you are handy with electronics, (and it's construction is very simple), take the four screws out and take the pickup out of the chrome case (make a little diagram of everything) and wedge a little piece of paper or something like that between the bottom of the pickup (black inside part) and the bottom of the case (chrome part)taking care so that the pickup is level, and put it back together again, if it still rattles try it again with a something a little thicker, if you cannot solve the problem, either take it to someone who knows Rics or send it back to Ric. If you do it yourself, from my own experience push the black part toward the E string side so the E will have as much volume as the other three. This is known as mickey mousing and you may not want to do this, but with it apart you may notice something else causing the problem also.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 7:11 am

The grommets are supposed to be on top of the case by the way, between the pick guard and the cover.

philco · Post by **philco** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 1:14 pm

Sportsman's Goop works for me. Not quite as permanent and irreversible as going the JB Weld route. More secure and strong than the RTV route. A few dollops between the chrome cover and wayward sliding pickup in strategic locations should secure things just fine. Once the pickup is adjusted to taste, it shouldn't need changing. Sportsman's Goop has a long cure period, unlike JB Weld. You can squeeze some out in an old bottle cap or something and let it semi harden before using in order to prevent running while drying. Also works great for securing large components on circuit boards to prevent stress on the electrical contacts. Loudspeaker manufacturers use it to hold large inductors and capacitors in place on crossover boards. Available at all good field sporting goods outlets and real hardware stores. Also fixes your inflatable raft and camping tent. Eclectic Products Inc., Carson, CA. Money Back Guaranteed. There are about 9 different varieties of this stuff, from Shoe Goo to Ding Goop (for surfboards).