Bridge Pickup screws...OUCH!!!

[jps]

Hmmm....methinks he missed the obscure Marx Bros reference....

How about...

A duck walks into a bar and orders a beer, barkeep asks if he wants to run a tab...

...duck says "nah, put it on my bill" (groan)

That's all I got.

I got it. I guess you didn't get my Marx Bros. reference. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You can't fool me. There ain't no Sanity Clause!"

[jps]

WARNING: Thread drift!

Not around here!

[Low End Lover]

I would take some fine sandpaper to the edges of the slots.

+1

What grit and kind? That'll drift it back nicely!

[kiramdear]

I would take some fine sandpaper to the edges of the slots.

+1

What grit and kind? That'll drift it back nicely!

Anything around 325 to 400 grit will do the job, I'd guess. Wet or dry, doesn't matter; should only take you a minute - just go over the edges of the slot until the burr is removed and it feels smooth and friendly. Cheers!

[rickenbrother]

Hmmm....methinks he missed the obscure Marx Bros reference....

How about...

A duck walks into a bar and orders a beer, barkeep asks if he wants to run a tab...

...duck says "nah, put it on my bill" (groan)

That's all I got.

I got it. I guess you didn't get my Marx Bros. reference. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You can't fool me. There ain't no Sanity Clause!"

Why a duck?

[paul_yan]

Jason, I think the quickest and safest (without even sanding/filing out the chrome of the screw tops) way is to stick 2 round pieces of transparent adhesive tape, identical to the diameter of the screw heads, to their tops. You may have to "renew" them from time to time. Good luck!

[cassius987]

If he messes up the screw by over-sanding it they are easy to replace even at a hardware store (I've done it). Scott Pope typically dremels for this kind of thing; he did it for me once for the treble pickup surround and it made a world of difference without changing the look at all. You just gotta use the right tools; start with a finer grit and work your way up until you are happy.

[Tarrbot]

but is 'duck' a verb and can you get 'ducked'?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/duck

I guess spending more than a decade in the HVAC industry, I get a bit near-sighted when people refer to it as anything other than *duct* tape...

[bassduke49]

Regarding "duct" or "duck":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape

I love the Garrison Keillor use: "Duct tape is more than a miracle adhesive, it's a balm for the soul of the unprepared and inept."

[ram]

I love the Garrison Keillor use: "Duct tape is more than a miracle adhesive, it's a balm for the soul of the unprepared and inept."

Plus a couple of pieces hanging from the rear bumper is a great way to score a free road kill lunch!

[seyesbass]

I use wet and dry emery paper (very fine grade) and rub the screw heads smooth.
Then get Brasso or Duraglit or similar polish and rub like hell with a tough cotton rag to a gleaming finish.

I found that it made the modern screws look more like the vintage ones into the bargain.
While you are at it......
Another little job on the bridge/tail is to take about 1/8" off each of the allen height adjusting screws on the bridge so they dont protrude more than about a 16th" and stop them catching your hand.
Whilst the bridge is off take a look underneath with a steel ruler or similar straight edge and you might see that the underside of the outer 2 saddle "posts" are proud of the bottom curve of the chrome bridge piece.
If you need to lower the action sometimes these saddle parts are in contact with the bridge slot and you cant go down any further because of them.
I took a flat needle file to mine and checked with a steel ruler until they were level or inside the bridge unit.It doesnt affect the integrity of the saddles at all by the way.

Only takes a few minutes to do bits of jobs like these..put a DVD on...(Shawshank Redemption?) and get filing and buffing!

[rickaddict]

The issue is that the slot on the head of the screw is a bit jagged. Not sure if it was bad manufacturing or someone at the factory got too excited with their screwdriver. I suppose a gentle filing would fix it fine. Leave it to me to make a moutain out of a molehill!

Anyway, thanks for the replies,

LEL

Since you are using the word "slot," I'm wondering if a previous owner put slot head screws on your 4003 (with torn up and jagged slots). Original RIC pick up height adjustment screws for a 4003 should be Phillips head. I've never had a problem with the factory screws being jagged/burred and I've had 25 or so of these basses. I'm not saying it can't happen, but maybe if your bass has incorrect screws, try calling RIC and see if they will sell you a couple of the correct ones. They should look like these:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... ry=Pickups

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

Another option to consider is Pickguardian's Bridge Pickup Plate, which (I'm not positive) might have a lower profile to help keep that screw out of your way:

http://pickguardian.com/pickguardian/RI ... Plate.html

[jingle_jangle]

..put a DVD on...(Shawshank Redemption?) and get filing and buffing!

...or maybe, "View from a Bridge", "A Bridge Too Far", "Bridge of Sighs", or "Bridge on the River Kwai".

How about, "Mr. and Mrs. Bridges"?

[ilan]

Just install the handrest and you'll never hit those screws again.

[Low End Lover]

Since you are using the word "slot," I'm wondering if a previous owner put slot head screws on your 4003 (with torn up and jagged slots). Original RIC pick up height adjustment screws for a 4003 should be Phillips head. I've never had a problem with the factory screws being jagged/burred and I've had 25 or so of these basses. I'm not saying it can't happen, but maybe if your bass has incorrect screws, try calling RIC and see if they will sell you a couple of the correct ones.

I am the original owner and the only time I touched them was to take off the bridge pickup cover and install the Tubeamplogy treble bezel and I used a manual screwdriver and was very deliberate about it. They are Phillips head and they are burred. I tend to think the screw manufacturer is responsible as someone at Ric would have to have been WACKY to get them this burred installing them.
Hey, if this is the biggest problem the bass has, then that'll suit me fine! Sorry to get us off topic... back to the chicken/duck/bridge jokes. I love the movies with "bridge" in the title post from Paul!

Thanks for all the help/comedy relief,

LEL