Wiring question

[bassduke49]

Guys, I need advice. I just got the new style Hipshot bridge and am ready to install it on my 2004 Monte 4003. I removed the standard Rick tailpiece, bridge, and mute. My question is the little wire that is soldered to the mute plate. What is its purpose? Should I re-solder it to the new Hipshot unit? What would happen if I don't?

Next question. I'm replacing the treble (bridge) pickup surround with the plexi cover I got from Pickguardian. I've reassembled the pickup mount, but wonder about the wire that was soldered to a small lockring/connector that had one of the large height adjuster screws going through it. Again, what is the purpose of this wire? Before, it was touching the original metal pickup surround and the adjustment screw, but now it will be touching the plexi plate and the adjustment screw. Will this be a problem?

Electronically challenged in Wisconsin

[lowendbob]

Paul,I didn't have any problems with your second question. I have the same setup on my monty brown, and it didn't make any difference.

I would be curious to know about the first question, I have seen that wire and was wondering the same thing.

[bob_the_bass]

Paul ... my guess is that its the ground link. Link for the schematic for a 4003 :-

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdf/19507.pdf

[scottpro1969]

It is a ground.

[jwr2]

I always remove the evil mute from my 4003 basses ... so I wire the ground wire to a flat washer and then I run one of the attachment screws through the center of the washer hole ... the wire grounds the electronics to the birdge and strings ... this quiets the bass ... most guitars and basses run a ground wire to the bridge ...

[jnbass]

ground

[kojakcurtis]

I agree with Jeff. If you don't solder the main ground wire to a washer or something, it's going to be very noisey.