Correct Bass hardware

[Gilmourisgod]

Is there a particular size pickguard screw that's correct for a 4001/4003 bass, or will standard fender size fit? How about Strap buttons? They look like Schaller strap lock type in current production.

[farace]

I can't speak to the size of the pickguard screws (my local Ric dealer is getting ahold of some Ric pickguard screws for me, so I haven't bothered looking into any difference), but the straplock buttons are indeed made for Ric by Schaller. However, they're bolts, not screws, even though they're screwing into wood.

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/BOLT-S ... p_648.html

http://www.pickofthericks.com/rickenbac ... olt-05904/

[Gilmourisgod]

Thanks for the lead on the strap bolts! That's odd, becuase Schaller also makes something that looks nearly identical, but it has a wood screw like this:
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/stra ... haller.htm

Chrome pickup screws seem to come in a few standard sizes, but they usually don't list head diameter. Anybody out there know the correct size to fit standard Ric pickguards?

[cjj]

Thanks for the lead on the strap bolts! That's odd, becuase Schaller also makes something that looks nearly identical, but it has a wood screw like this:
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/stra ... haller.htm

Yes, the standard Schaller strap pegs come with a wood screw. RIC gets custom made ones with a bolt thread.

I make my own by drilling out the standard Schaller ones and turning down the head of a 10-24 flat head machine screw...

[Gilmourisgod]

Whats the advantage of a machine bolt thread into wood? I would have thought the standard wood screw thread would hold better unless you used a wood cutting tap to thread the hole? In either case these will work with standard Schaller strap lock hardware?

Found the pickguard screws here:
http://www.pickofthericks.com/rickenbac ... rew-05202/
$.75 each plus shipping seems a little steep, maybe I can find these elsewhere #4x38 oval head phillips head.

[aceonbass]

There is no advantage to the machine thread Schaller strap lock other than its interchangeability with the vintage Rick strap button. They're a pain in the arse when they unscrew in the middle of a gig. I do the same thing CJ does. We need a like button here.

[farace]

Yes, the Ric strap locks connect up with the standard Schaller strap end hardware. (I wish Ric supplied a pair of those with a new bass.)

I just discovered that the pickguard screws that Ric supplies now are about half the length of the screws that were in my '83 4003. (And also that the four screws now used for mounting the chrome surround for the treble pickup are a bit larger. I spent part of this evening replacing rusty hardware.) The current pickup screws work fine to replace the old ones, they're just shorter.

[stevebasshead]

...They're a pain in the arse when they unscrew in the middle of a gig. I do the same thing CJ does. We need a like button here.

I fixed this on mine by putting plumbers tape (PTFE tape) around the thread and then screwing it back in, it adds enough extra friction to stop the involuntary unscrewing.

[Thornton_Davis]

They're a pain in the arse when they unscrew in the middle of a gig.

I put a a couple of dabs of lock tight on the stem of the posts when I install them. They won't come out.

TD

[superheavydeathmetal]

Found the pickguard screws here:
http://www.pickofthericks.com/rickenbac ... rew-05202/

I would actually like to find some incorrect black pickguard screws. I think it would look much better against black pickguards and hardware than the regular screws.