Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just curious (and I assume this has been done) - has anyone removed the foam pad? If so, how much does it affect the tone versus just having the pad set at a medium-low height?

If the foam pad is removed, your bass won't sound any different from when you don't have the foam pad touching the strings.

jingle_jangle wrote:..., backed with nylatron washers. Nylatron is graphite-impregnated nylon, so it's self-lubricating......

Are those commonly available, or a do you have to order them from someplace like Fastenall, McMaster, etc? Does the graphite work its way down into the threads themselves?

rickaddict wrote:.....I've found that getting the mute to work on my Ricks is approximately 65% about trimming and repositioning the foam pad, and 35% finding springs that allow the bolts to turn freely...

I was changing strings on my 4003, so I took off the tailpiece, removed the mute and trimmed the foam. I added a tiny bit of graphite to the threads also.

Sure works easier now.

But I still don't use it.

rickenbrother wrote:If the foam pad is removed, your bass won't sound any different from when you don't have the foam pad touching the strings.

That obviously makes sense. I suppose that was a stupid question but, for some reason, I was thinking that the pad might affect resonance either way.

NFB-418 wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:If the foam pad is removed, your bass won't sound any different from when you don't have the foam pad touching the strings.

That obviously makes sense. I suppose that was a stupid question but, for some reason, I was thinking that the pad might affect resonance either way.

Well, if you remove the foam pad and crank the metal backing plate up against the strings, I'd think it would affect the sound just a bit...

cjj wrote: Well, if you remove the foam pad and crank the metal backing plate up against the strings, I'd think it would affect the sound just a bit...

Like a honky tonk piano?

Probably more sitaresque...

cjj wrote:Probably more sitaresque...

Sitar bass? Interesting. Rickensitar!
Looks like its already been done! Illegally though.


How about a RIC - OUTLET one of! In Pink! with a Horseshoe and all cool stuff! The neck inlay could be going through the whole thing, A giant Rickenbacker nameplate inlay! And make it a lighthshow!

MiroN wrote:

aceonbass wrote:I removed the mute and made extensive modifications to this 70's 4001 tailpiece....

Dane, can you show me a photo of the bass?

Yes Mario. Here it is......

aceonbass wrote:Yes Mario. Here it is......

Is that an FretFx system on it?

aceonbass wrote: Yes Mario. Here it is......

many thanks,

It's a cool project.

cassius987 wrote:Not sure what a "quad pickup" is however.

Just noticed this... isn't that more like four small pick-ups, one for every string?

Maybe Ric should come up with a conversion kit for those who like a modernised version of their 4003?

Why doesn't Rickenbacker just offer a different bridge, without the mute? Sell it on their website. Something that looked more stock than the Hipshot. I used my mute for a couple of minutes when I first bought my 4003, and didn't care much for it. It looks cool, but it gets in my way. I used to cut my pinky finger up on the adjustment knobs while picking at shows all the time. Only mod I'd likely do to my Rick, other than removing the treble pickup cover.

cjj wrote:

NFB-418 wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:If the foam pad is removed, your bass won't sound any different from when you don't have the foam pad touching the strings.

That obviously makes sense. I suppose that was a stupid question but, for some reason, I was thinking that the pad might affect resonance either way.

Well, if you remove the foam pad and crank the metal backing plate up against the strings, I'd think it would affect the sound just a bit...

Well,I never would have thought of cranking up a foam less metal backing plate up against the strings. But I've seen people use an E string as an A string (tuned to A) because they broke their A string and had an extra E string. So what some people think of to do, really doesn't surprise me.