Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm not exactly sure you can rest your thumb on it. A: there's not a lot of surface area there and B: the angle is all wrong. You have to have something to rest your thumb on top off, like the E string or the top of the pickup itself. Basically there's nothing to push down on if you put your thumb on the bezel. To rest your thumb on the surround you'd have to push in not down. That's why the dimple idea is a good one. I mentioned that to the guy when I bought mine but he didn't say anything back. It seems like it would be an easy deal if your allready using a cnc mill to make it in the first place but I don't know.

Glen,

These certainly look great but a small question sprang to mind. After installing it, does it affect the tone of your bass in any way? I would imagine that if it does that it would be almost imperceptible.

winston wrote:These certainly look great but a small question sprang to mind. After installing it, does it affect the tone of your bass in any way? I would imagine that if it does that it would be almost imperceptible.

I don't see how it could relative to an already shieldless bass provided the ground was hooked back up to the screw/spring. You could shield the bottom of the bezel and have a slightly similar thing to the stock shield going though.

The reason I asked is that a few years back I changed the pickguard on one of my Strats to a gold anodized Fender Custom Shop guard and the sound of the Strat became let's say became "tinny" for want of a better description unless I rolled the treble control back a smidgen. I have noticed all sorts of small changes that can reshape the sound of these guitars. Even changes to tuners. That's why the thought came to mind and that's why I am curious if it does alter the sound in any way.

could probably dremel a dimple into it for a thumb rest...don't know how thick it is. is it solid abs or hollow ? i like the black/chrome effect with the surround which mimics the darkness of the cavity.

can someone post a pic of the backside ?

It's solid, and thick enough to where you could make a divit with a dremel tool and you'd be good. I don't think it changes the sound in any way. If it does it's because I can finally pick right over the top of the bridge pickup and that changes the sound in and of itself. On a side note I just put on a new set of DR high beams (took off a fairly fresh set of roto 66's) and they sound oh so nice. Very smooth feel and nice tension.

Today I received my bezel. Thanks again to Jeff who kindly forwarded it to Germany.
The bezel is nicely made from good quality plastic. Installing the item was no big deal.
Although my bezel doesn't fit 100 percent (as you can see in the pictures) it still looks nice.
I couldn't hear a difference in the sound while playing through an amp or a soundcard.
I can't really tell if it affects the sound playing unamplified cause I put on a new set of chromes after installing the bezel.
To me it's a great alternative to the chrome pickup which got in my way while playing.
Maybe Rickenbacker should think about adding the bezel to their case candy

Hornbrille wrote: Maybe Rickenbacker should think about adding the bezel to their case candy

+1!

aceonbass wrote:Actually the bezel does fit 100%. The pickup is slightly crooked on it's mounting plate. I would think this could be corrected by loosening it's mounting screws, moving it, and then re-tightening them.

Dane, you are right.
I had to disassemble the whole thing again but now it fits almost 99,99 %
Thank you for your advice!

I'd like to see a toaster in that bezel.

you've got one in that there mapleglo...hint...hint !

I don't have that FL anymore.

OK, anyone who has a toaster pickup lying around, send it to me, I'll buy a bezel and take a picture... I promise!