4003 s/8 redneck

[loulou]

No strap lock button yet, just the mute-adjuster-looking button, same size and everything. What's bothering me is that it looks more like a bolt than a regular screw for wood. Strap locks buttons I've seen so far were all looking like those regular screws. I guess I'll wait until the Rick store reopens.
Thanks again for your quick answers!

[cjj]

It is a regular bolt. RIC uses a bolt (10-24 size) actually threaded into the wood instead of a wood screw. The standard Schaller strap locks come with a wood screw, which doesn't really work for a Rick. RIC has these specially made with the bold thread on them.

Now, you can actually modify the standard Schallers by getting a 10-24 flat head bolt and turning down the head, then drilling out the hole in the standard Schaller button.

Here's a thread with some info on doing this:
http://rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic ... ks#p583644

[johnallg]

Or just order the RIC ones (05904) from the Boutique when it reopens. Paul is right, they fit the Schaller locks that go on your strap.

[cjj]

Definitely easier, unless you don't happen to live in North America...

[loulou]

I'm in Paris, France...
Don't tell me they don't ship overseas...
Guess I'm in for a little construction work...

[ram]

You might try and email to Chris at Pick of the Ricks. I can't recall if they ship overseas or not - he might be able to help or suggest another solution. http://www.pickofthericks.com

or you might try to see if any of your forum mates here would be able to act as a middle man... there are some very nice folks here - we try to help.

Good luck with it... any pictures of your bass?

[rickaddict]

I don't know how picky you are Lou, but I can think of a few benefits to getting the bolts/non-RIC strap locks and turning down the heads yourself: 1) You can get them in black to match the rest of your guitar's hardware, 2) (I have both the RIC strap lock bolts and my own turned-down head screws/non-RIC strap locks so I speak from experience!) The bolts will have a screw head so you can use a screw driver to install them, and 3) having a separate bolt and lock drum makes the turned-down head /non-RIC version less likely to loosen up.

Not a HUGE difference, but I do slightly prefer my own modified strap locks to the RIC ones.

Musician's Friend has them, in black and ready for you to modify:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=360389

[loulou]

OK, you convinced me. I'll have to find the right bolts at work when I get back. I need black buttons anyway! I just hope it's not too hard to do.

I'll post pictures this week, don't worry. I've tried and take some, but I definitely need a stand to take GOOD pictures.

[cjj]

It's not hard. The hardest part might be finding flat head (counter sink type) 10-24 machine screws in France as they aren't metric. You can probably get by with another head type (non-counter sunk), but it may not fit as well.

The next hard thing is that the diameter of the head will be too large to fit the strap button, but with a file and a drill, you can shave it down fairly easily. A lathe is the best way if you have access to one.

Then you have to drill out the hole in the strap button a bit (or file with a round needle file). This can be a bit difficult since the part is small. A drill press is best, but a hand drill can work too. Clamp the strap button using a couple of wood blocks to avoid scratching it.

[paul_yan]

Congratulations on the score, Lou! Bien-venue a la famille!

Before you get/mod the Schaller 1446 (black) strap locks and bolts, you can make 2 DIY strap locks that work with the vintage style Rickenbacker bolt/mute screws to prevent accidents. Just punch/drill a hole in the middle of a used pick (preferably medium or heavy thickness), enlarge the hole a little with a round file, and cut a line between the hole and the tip. Takes about 5 minutes to make 2. I use these on my '72 4001 FL.



To avoid filling up the holes in the bass' body to acommodate the normal pointy Schaller wood screws, I recommend getting a pair of the modern RIC machine screw bolts, have them powder-coated in black, and then use the locking caps only of the Schaller 1446 system (http://schaller-guitarparts.de/hp135050 ... y-Lock.htm). I did this to my 4003 Shadow. I can rest assured that I won't have to deal with filled holes if I want to come back to the Shadow's original vintage style bolts someday.

[loulou]

Good idea the pick thing!
I'll just do that, and when I have enough time at work, try and modify the Schaller strap lock buttons. My friends can do entire theater sets, they should be able to help me with this.
Thanks again for your help. I'll come back later with the pictures!!

[johnallg]

Lou, others report the rubber gasket that comes with a Grolsch beer bottle works great too. And you get to drink the beers.

[windchimp]

Lou, others report the rubber gasket that comes with a Grolsch beer bottle works great too. And you get to drink the beers.

...yet another reason to add to the fleet!

[loulou]

Voilà!

http://luciez.free.fr/rick/

Hope you like them.

[rickenbrother]

Very nice Lou, enjoy it!
Give her the Scratch-X & Zymol treatment when you get a chance!