Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This issue is probably been discussed many times already, but I couldn't find old topics so here it comes again.
I'd like to move the neck pickup of my -03 4003 from 1" position to ½" position. I took a look under the pickguard and noticed that some wood must be removed to make room for the pickup. I know some of you guys have done this and I'd like to hear your comments. Does that make bass structurally weaker or are there any other issues why I shouldn't do that? I also would like to see some "under the bonnet" photos showing how much wood really need to go.

You just need to take a minimal amount of wood away in the two corners nearest the neck, and not too deep, either. I did this on two basses, an '04 4003FL and an '08 4003, both patients are fine.

Here is a photo during surgery on the FL. The one on the '08 4003 is smoother yet and not quite as deep as this one.

I did it to a 1993. The amount of removal was minimal, as mentioned. I believe all I used was a large brad tip drill bit and a small chisel. Safe to do on older models as the horns go way up the neck. On 2009 and newer, it could be a risky venture as the horns are now cut down much further closer to the bottom of the fretboard.

Here is the toaster cavity on my '98 4001V63 for comparison.

Thanks for the information and photos. I ordered a new pickguard with ½” pickup placement. Interesting to hear how different pickup placement affect on sound.

Modification done. It looks so much better now (at least I think so). Does it change the sound? I don't hear any significant change, but I have only tried it at home with headphones on so far. First session at rehearsal studio will tell the truth.

mikko wrote:Modification done. It looks so much better now (at least I think so). Does it change the sound? I don't hear any significant change.....

To get the "sound" you also need either the FWI kit or the Dots kit*, to add to the fingerboard.

*With the Dots kit you need to remove the binding and round off the body. The binding on the neck, too.

jps wrote:To get the "sound" you also need either the FWI kit or the Dots kit*, to add to the fingerboard.

*With the Dots kit you need to remove the binding and round off the body. The binding on the neck, too.

I thought if you made the white binding checkerboarded with a sharpie, that would also create the "sound".

Who do you order the pickguard from?

Pickguardian. http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/