Re-installing the bridge pickup cover

[Low End Lover]

Hey All,

I know this may seem crazy to some, but I am going to re-install my bridge pickup cover on my 4003FL. I understand how to get it on and off, but I recall John Hall mentioning a trick to avoid having to loosen the strings to get it on and off. It involved putting pressure on both sides or bending it or something. I really want to do it this way, but I want to understand what to do and if there is a risk of breaking it. If anyone remembers this trick, please let me know how it's done.

Thanks,

LEL (Jason)

[NFB-418]

I recall reading about that method on the RIC forum (I'm sure if you did a search over there you could find it), but I've taken mine off and put it back on and it's way easier to do by taking off the strings. I really can't see how a person could get all the parts aligned even if you could bend the pickup cover with one hand and squeeze it in the pickup assembly which was, imo, impossible.

[Low End Lover]

Yes, it is much easier to take the strings off, but it always makes me nervous to take all the string tension off the neck.

[jps]

No problem taking all the strings off for a short time; I find it easier to just take the pickup out to put the cover back on.

[cassius987]

I was able to do it by reducing the strings tension to almost nothing (less than BEAD tension using EADG strings), unscrewing the overall surround and dissecting it "around" the strings. Actually pretty simple.

[kiramdear]

Exploded-view diagram is available at RIC corporate site if you're not sure how everything fits together.