Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

How easy is it to replace the standard 4003 pickups with the horseshoe/toaster variety? I am not a luthier or an electronics guy, just a player. Is it possible for someone like me to replace the pickups? Does it involve soldering wires, etc?

They drop straight in.
Yes, you would have to solder the new connections after desoldering the old ones.

This is 100% true

So how would I go about dropping them in, taking out the old ones, etc. I've never tried this on a bass, much less a Rick.

Remove the strings.
Remove the screws holding down the pickguard.
plug in a soldering iron,let it heat up first.
get some 60/40 solder at an electronics shop or Radio shack.

unsolder the leads to the volume controls.
BEFORE you do that ,as you are a rockie,make a drawing of the switch solder lugs as this is where the pickups connect.

remove the pickups from the guard and the face of the body.

install the neck pickup first.You should be using a #1phillips head screwdriver to do this .
Upon installing the new neck pickup ...DON'T torque the 2 screws down,you will crack the guard if you do.

Take the bridge pickup out and install the new one ,feed the lead thru the hole in the wall of the cavity.Screw the pickup down/remount it.

Soldering time again.

You need to let the solder flow then put the lead into the pool of solder and hold the lead in place ...do not move it around .Use a blade screwdriver to hold it if necessary.
DON'T blow on the solder when it is melted to try and cool it off ...this will cause a bad solder joint.

That is it ...need more help ? ask away

Thanks Mark, your instructions are pretty complete. I'll see if I can muster up the courage and give it a shot.