Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am really getting into palm-muting (it sounds so good on my 4003) that I am considering removing the bridge pickup cover--for the first time ever! It get in the way of my right hand for p.m. style. Rather than leave a gaping hole I think it'd look better to get the Pickguardian setup on but I'm wondering, is it going to present its own problems? What are people's experiences? I have talked to Pickguardian and I'd be glad to give them my business, but I wanted to check with you all first.

One of my concerns is that you lose the big hunk of metal that acts as a ground to the pickup, but you could always shield the new surround and/or put the mini-surround on the pickup like is present on the neck one--that acts as a ground.

I am thinking also of having them make me a pickguard with "semi-vintage" spacing, 1/4'' closer to the neck, so I can avoid any dremmeling or routing of the cavity but still get a little more warmth with that pickup. For my fretless, on which warmth is a great thing, this seems appropriate. That's also "the mwah zone". Any thoughts on this?

Thanks all.

I have always had good experiences with Pickguardian and I recommend him to people.

As far as your specific needs I have no opinion but Tony is fantastic to do business with.

incubus2432 wrote:As far as your specific needs I have no opinion but Tony is fantastic to do business with.

I already gathered that. He seems like a great guy! But I was hoping someone would comment on the effects of his pickup guard & surround and any ill effects perhaps... primarily concerned with pickup height and the loss of a "big" ground.

I have no personal experience with the the Pickguardian replacement surround, however I think that since it is plastic, it can't act as an antenna for attracting and adding noise into you signal like metal can. I'd put the ground loop on the bridge pickup height adjustment screw anyway if you do go with the Pickguardian surround.

The experiences I've having with dealing with Tony from Pickguardian have also been great.

This is certainly not a scientific reply, but the one bas I added a Pickguardian too had not noticeable difference in sound to my ears. The ground wire to the bridge is still installed on the height adjustment screw like normal.

Well that answers my question about that then... I guess like so many things with ground issues it's sometimes best just not to mess with it at all, kind've like excess shielding.

What about pickup height?

cassius987 wrote:What about pickup height?

Your pickup should be 1/8" below your strings!

Garret

72rick wrote:

cassius987 wrote:What about pickup height?

Your pickup should be 1/8" below your strings!

Garret

So my question is, does the Pickguardian mod inhibit that? On the ric.com forum somebody complained about it once, but it was only that one complaint. I don't want the pickup any higher than I already have it and I figure it'll be fine, but I'm kinda' nervous about this and want to resolve it before I order.

Josh, the height screws are so long and the pickup sits up high on the mount plate, you will have more than enough room to adjust the height after the Pickguardian mod. If you are worried about losing the metal surround shielding, add copper to the back of the Pickguardian plastic.

johnallg wrote:Josh, the height screws are so long and the pickup sits up high on the mount plate, you will have more than enough room to adjust the height after the Pickguardian mod. If you are worried about losing the metal surround shielding, add copper to the back of the Pickguardian plastic.

Thank you John, the copper foil idea is one I was debating. I suppose I'll just see how it sounds first because Tony and I have sealed the deal on it and are going to proceed.

Anyone who wants pictures say "I" and I'll take and upload them.

Again, not very scientific, since I never measured that bass before letting it go. But I got the pickup pretty close to the strings as I like it and never noticed anything unusual. It was pretty comfey.

Here's a comment that isn't directly related to your questions but might be an issue.

I've got a 4003S/8, Jetglo with black trim, hardward, and binding. In fact, here's a pic:


I had the Pickguardian thing put around the bridge pickup, and the big thing is that the toaster looks weird to me with the regular high-gain at the bridge. Unfortunately I don't have pics, and to be honest it's in my east-coast collection (I live on the west coast) so I haven't had much chance to play it post-mod, but the appearance was the thing that jumped out at me.

Shallow, I know!

I can see your point, but fortunately both of my basses have matched pickups.

cassius987 wrote:I can see your point, but fortunately both of my basses have matched pickups.

Then you're in luck! I mean, it costs fifteen bucks - not a huge investment by any means - JUST DO IT!!!