Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My first Rickenbacker Bass- please advise, thanks-

I was curious to see the adjustment offered in the pole pieces of the bass pup-
The manual states that thye are easily adjustable with the supplied 3/32 Allen-
After I found my wrench!-
I found it does NOT fit the pole pieces-too small.
Further, the manual goes on to state that it is unadvisable to attempt to adjust the older pups, as harm could be done-

So- Is it possible given that the supplied wrench does not fit, my Bass, with a mfr. Date of Late 2008, could have been fitted with an older version of the high-gain pickup? I know that in mfg'ing this is done, not a problem to me.
If so, fine- If NOT, why will the wrench not adjust the pole pieces?

I noticed that the two center pole pieces are raised, while the ends are flush, similar to the bridge pup- leaving me to think it is a "fixed" adjustment.

I hopefully assume that simply by TRYING the allen wrench to no effect in the pole pieces I could not have done any harm- Certainly the bass plays well of course!

Also, having even broached looking at the pup, I see that it is moveable, shift-able ever so slightly within the chrome frame-
I'm assuming that this is normal, just the installation of the plastic pickup itself within the chrome frame, and that a rigid tight fit is not standard or necessary- It's not moving about freely, it's just move-able. Standard??

Hope I'm good with everything, but I am very curious as to why supplied wrench would not adjust pole pieces as stated..

Please excuse the novice nature of this question/concern-
I'm a total novice-- as owner- NOT player!

And thanks!

If the pole pieces have allen key slots they are adjustable, you might just have to get a wrench that fits properly. I found with mine that I had to raise the E and lower the G to get a nice balance.

Re: the moving pickup, that is normal as it is suspended with spring loaded bolts so it will move a bit. Not to worry.

Thanks Jeffrey, I figured that about the movement in the frame---

Haven't gauged the allen wrench that was provided (I have a screw gauge around here somewhere...)

WHY would RIc send the wrong wrench?

It seems that the pole pieces are allen-keyed, just a larger size than they shipped.

Does anyone think they would have installed an older-model hi-gain pup??
Guess it's a non-issue as the balance is fine to my ears.

I simply seek perfection!

Well, I've never owned a Ric bass, but all the Ric guitars I own came with TWO Allen wrenches - one long and thin and the other shorter and thicker.

Spoke w/ Factory-
Older high-gain pups had solid pole peices, so these are new-
Said probably got wrong size wrench w/ bass; sending new one...
I wait with baited breath to find out.........

Elnjaybass wrote:I wait with baited breath to find out.........

Minnow on your tongue?

jps wrote:

Elnjaybass wrote:I wait with baited breath to find out.........

Minnow on your tongue?

Nah, he's out there in California. They use anchovies there...

LOL, and SQUID!
Candy Bait!
I wait for my "officially designated 3/32" Allen Wrench as provided by Rickenbacker who I hope gets it right this time, ad more importantly, I HOPE it turns the pole pieces in the bass pup....or else..
I will be stressed"

Hmm, maybe you got the new European Standard pickups, you know, where the allen keys have to be metric!

I will feel deprived, and CHEATED and life will not be worth living if I am not able to turn the pole pieces with the Allen wrench that I await.

Why OH WHY did they/would they send me the wrong size? Screw gauge tells me nothing about the wrench...
I have to wait...worry.
WHAT IF the pole pieces do NOT adjust with this allegedly correct size?
HOW did the wrong size get in there? They (Rickenbacker) are not supposed to make mistakes. Not with MY new Bass.

IF the pole pieces turn, all will be well with the World.
The Economy, the Middle East, Global Warming....
Meh! No worries... It's all good, we're all at one with-
But if those &&*(^%& pole pieces won't turn when I get the designated wrench...

Deep breaths, slow release, Larry.

...It is safe to come out of your shelters, now.
All is right with the World; the sun shines, the birds sing, young Maidens are laughing....

I received the CORRECT size 3/32 Allen Wrench, and I can now raise or lower the pole pieces on my bass pickup
AT WILL!

Almost a month after I placed my order at the Ric "Boutique" I received my set of strings (for which I paid a premium price because Sammy Ash & I have issues.. and an Allen Wrench for the bridge on my 4003, which I did not need, it was hidden in the "KEYS" bag, a full-line catalogue ($2 down the drain, there was one in my 4003 when it arrived), a...
STICKER! YES! and.... added on, verbally-
A 3/32 wrench that properly allows me to be well-adjusted.

Now then-
WHO put the wrong wrench in my KEY bag?? Nobody leaves the plant 'til they confess!

WHy did they withold shipping my "Boutique" Order- they did not have the CVC code of my CC, and they "thought" they contacted me about it... Nope.

It was only after and BECAUSE I called them that we got this mess straightened out.

SO-
Wanna see a thread deleted? Read quickly!

"I think that because of their egregious errors, Rickenbacker Corporation should send me at no charge, several Cheyenne Basses and a JetGlo 4003".

Did ya get that? Hurry!

Here:

Here's space for admonishment, post your indignation at this statement below, while/IF you have time.

I'm going to raise and lower my bass pickup now...

Oh btw- That "Basses" forum is REALLY boring, if ya get my drift...

Larry,

It's OK. We got it.

If you don't need new bass player or for that matter new guitar player friends then that's fine. Hang out where ever you please.

Larry your last post was probably one of your last mate.

So long Larry!

This family doesn't need you anymore, sorry.