Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello, Friends -

New to the site so I wanted to say hello, but also ask a few questions. In browsing the site, it looks like this is an awesome community and resource for RIC owners.

I have a newer 4003 and was thinking about doing a few modifications. I wanted to get some expert opinions before going forward. Most of these mods would be for the overall appearance of the bass - to give it a vintage look - except for the toaster mod which would be for aesthetics but also for sound quality.

1. I'd like to replace the hi-gain neck pickup with a toaster. (I realize they're unavailable at RIC right now, but I'm keeping my eyes on the boutique daily.) Can you guys speak to the pros/cons? Is this a relatively easy modification? Could a person with no soldering experience (but who is fairly handy with tools) have no trouble? The reason I was thinking of doing this is that I don't really like the hi-gain's tone. It's muddy with very little nuance, imo. What I've been reading about toasters is that they are more subtle.

2. I was thinking of trading in my TRC for the plexi/acrylic one. I've read there is a fee for this and I need to obviously send my TRC back to RIC. I've also read (probably on the RIC forum) that I will need to drill a hole in the headstock to accomodate the "vintage" TRC. Has anyone had experience with this? And, how long does it usually take RIC to send back your new cover?

3. I was going to pick up some vintage-style volume and tone knobs. Again, the RIC boutique is out of the bass kind, but has the ones for guitar (including that fifth knob). Will those vintage guitar knobs fit like the bass knobs would?

4. Last mod - replacing the strap bolts with the damper mute kind.

I truly appreciate any and all responses and opinions. Thanks!

jbrando wrote:Hello, Friends -

New to the site so I wanted to say hello, but also ask a few questions. In browsing the site, it looks like this is an awesome community and resource for RIC owners.

I have a newer 4003 and was thinking about doing a few modifications. I wanted to get some expert opinions before going forward. Most of these mods would be for the overall appearance of the bass - to give it a vintage look - except for the toaster mod which would be for aesthetics but also for sound quality.

1. I'd like to replace the hi-gain neck pickup with a toaster. (I realize they're unavailable at RIC right now, but I'm keeping my eyes on the boutique daily.) Can you guys speak to the pros/cons? Is this a relatively easy modification? Could a person with no soldering experience (but who is fairly handy with tools) have no trouble? The reason I was thinking of doing this is that I don't really like the hi-gain's tone. It's muddy with very little nuance, imo. What I've been reading about toasters is that they are more subtle.

2. I was thinking of trading in my TRC for the plexi/acrylic one. I've read there is a fee for this and I need to obviously send my TRC back to RIC. I've also read (probably on the RIC forum) that I will need to drill a hole in the headstock to accomodate the "vintage" TRC. Has anyone had experience with this? And, how long does it usually take RIC to send back your new cover?

3. I was going to pick up some vintage-style volume and tone knobs. Again, the RIC boutique is out of the bass kind, but has the ones for guitar (including that fifth knob). Will those vintage guitar knobs fit like the bass knobs would?

4. Last mod - replacing the strap bolts with the damper mute kind.

I truly appreciate any and all responses and opinions. Thanks!

Welcome, John.

All the mods you describe are easy ones. To swap pickups, you do need to solder 2 joimnts--you need to de-solder the two leads (hot and ground) from the hi-gain and solder the two from the toaster in the same spots--one to the selector switch and one to the switch frame or pot case for ground.

The TRC exchange requires a call to Kenny or Richard at RIC Customer Service (X 232) for an RA number. They can clue you in on the fee, too. You will have to drill a new hole 1/16" X 1/4" deep for the 3rd screw, as it's in a different location on the plexi TRCs.

The knobs are the same; the guitar set merely has the blend knob added.

The strap bolts are a simple swap, too.

Hello John, welcome to the forum!

Depending on where you live, I'm sure there is a forumite who would be willing to help with installing/soldering in a toaster pickup.

I would buy a set of Schaller strap locks to use with the buttons that are factory installed. To me, it's worth the piece of mind not having my Rick come off the strap while playing.

Edited since Paul beat me to the first answer as I typed !

Wow! You guys are fast! Thanks so much for the replies.

Any opinion on hi-gain vs. toaster? Which do you prefer, etc.?

I would also caution about using the old style strap bolts. Too easy to drop off.

Welcome aboard this bus. You will like the sound of the toaster if you think the higains are muddy without nuance. OR you could unwind the higain to around 7.5-8k ohms to sound like a 70s higain, which is quite similar in sound to a toaster. Current toasters are wound at the factory to 7.4k ohms.

G'day John, and welcome!

You've been given lots of good advice, so no need to put in my 2 cents. You'll find that there is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom in the RRF community (though at times this may be deeply buried), as well as some fun and frivolity.

All the best with the mods!

As far as I know, RIC doesn't swap regular TRC's for vintage plexi TRC's.

Yeah, you may not have any luck with the truss rod cover from RIC. You can get the knobs from Tony @ pickguardian or perhaps Pick of the Ricks. Ordinarily, I'd say get 'em from RIC, but they're out of stock and they probably wouldn't mind $20 or so going elsewhere.

86kubicki wrote:As far as I know, RIC doesn't swap regular TRC's for vintage plexi TRC's.

FYI, I checked with RIC and they will make the exchange for a $50 fee, plus the return of your old TRC and $8 shipping/handling.

Welcome, John!

Listen to Joey and use the Schaller straplocks. They might not look as classy as the vintage style bolts, but sure can give you peace of mind.

jbrando wrote:

86kubicki wrote:As far as I know, RIC doesn't swap regular TRC's for vintage plexi TRC's.

FYI, I checked with RIC and they will make the exchange for a $50 fee, plus the return of your old TRC and $8 shipping/handling.

That's the best route. They will swap color for color, just not across color (i.e., white for gold).

jingle_jangle wrote: You will have to drill a new hole 1/16" X 1/4" deep for the 3rd screw, as it's in a different location on the plexi TRCs.

Jingle Jangle -

Are you certain it's 1/16"? In preparation for this modification, I was going through my tool kit looking for the proper bit and located the 1/16". Unless I have the wrong bit, it looks way too small. Perhaps it's 1/8"? Or is the 3rd screw hole smaller than the other two on a plexi? I can't imagine it is, but I guess it's possible. (By the way, I don't have the plexi one yet in case you were wondering.)

Thanks,
John

jbrando wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote: You will have to drill a new hole 1/16" X 1/4" deep for the 3rd screw, as it's in a different location on the plexi TRCs.

Jingle Jangle -

Are you certain it's 1/16"? In preparation for this modification, I was going through my tool kit looking for the proper bit and located the 1/16". Unless I have the wrong bit, it looks way too small. Perhaps it's 1/8"? Or is the 3rd screw hole smaller than the other two on a plexi? I can't imagine it is, but I guess it's possible. (By the way, I don't have the plexi one yet in case you were wondering.)

Thanks,
John

It is most definitely a 1/16" bit...I've done the same mod

The 1/16" bit is for drilling the wood, not the plexi. You want a tiny void of wood when you put the screw in the first time; it will create threads in the wood on the way in. If you drill too big a hole, the hole will strip the first few times you put the screw in.

Oh, yeah, definitely know that I'm drilling the wood, not the plexi. Not trying to belabor the point, but as you can see from this pic, the TRC mounting screw is 3/8". Is the plexi TRC hole at the tip smaller or something? Sorry to doubt you guys, but 1/16" seems way too small to accomodate the existing mounting screw.