Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've just had my original pickup for my '72 4001 fixed; the magnet was pretty much dead so have had extra magnets added to bring it up to spec. I've now replaced the pickup I had in there in the meantime and have realised that there was no earth lead (the lead with the round metal connectors at both ends which attach to both the bridge pickup itself and to the surround). Unfortunately the surround is now buzzing like crazy everytime I touch it (I don't know why it didn't do it with the replacement pickup in; I certainly didn't notice it). Does anyone have one of these I can purchase or have any idea where I can get one? The last time I contacted Rosetti (I'm in the UK) about getting hold of something to do with the bridge pickup they told me I'd have to buy the whole unit. I'll add that I can solder but am otherwise fairly useless when it comes to electrics. Of course I'm making the assumption that that's what it is; if anyone knows differently I'd be grateful for advice.

If it's the eyelets that you need, an electronics parts supplier should have them as well as insulated wire. Do you have a Radio Shack or similar store in your area?

Hi Joey, thanks for the reply.

Sadly no; I'm in the UK and we don't have any so far as I'm aware (well, not the ones you have anyway). What exactly would I be looking for in terms of a description, and is the wire simply soldered onto the eyelets?

the eyelet was spliced in with the negative lead for the coil and was attached to one of the screws holding the pickup to the aluminum mounting plate...(loved those) the plastic mounting plates were not grounded so this eyelet went to one of the height adjusting screws and spring...at least in the post '73 basses i had including the vintage horse shoe assy i got from RIC in '85. you can find the eyelets at hardware stores or radio shack or any electronic supply stores.

I'm trying desperately to remember whether there was ever one of these attached to my pickup (it's been off a few years now). Mine is a screw top with the aluminium baseplate. So it's not as easy as fastening one end to one of the screws at the bass of the pickup and the other to the surround?

If anyone could actually post a photo of what the aluminium-baseplated pickup should look like with the lead in place I'd be most grateful; it may help a great deal. Many thanks.

Check this page out- it will give you an idea of what you need to do.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=388236

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/bpickups.pdf

Thanks for the post. Unfortunately it's not clear quite what the connection should be like like on the aluminium baseplate or whether (as with the plastic baseplates) the other end should attach to the pickup surround.

I've also been Googling like mad re the connectors and can't find anything that resembles what I need; I guess I need to know what they're actually called first (and bear in mind I'm in the UK).

Solder lugs.

that's part of jeff's improvized checker game !

Thanks Jeff.

Can anyone clarify what (if any) is the difference between the attachments on an aluminium baseplate and a plastic one, e.g. do they both attach to the surround?

EDIT - just had an email from Sergio which hopefully will clarify things. Many thanks and a Merry Christmas to all!

I thought I'd just add to the previous; Sergio confirmed the aluminium baseplates don't need a separate ground lead to run to the pickup mounting ring. Following that and by a process of trial and error I worked out that I had 2 contacts the wrong way round (doh! )and everything is fine now. Big thanks Sergio and to everyone else who chipped in.

Great to hear that, Shaun.

Thanks Jeff, your input was much appreciated. Now does anyone do an "understanding Rick wiring for idiots" course? Because I'm the idiot that needs it!