Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi All,

I recently purchased a 2004 4003 Bass and I'm really pleased with it - however I do have one teeny glitch with it, when I got the bass I found, whilst the action was high, I kept hitting the bridge pick up pole pieces with the E string when "digging in", resulting in quite a loud popping noise through the speakers of my cab.

I had a look at "Joey's Rickenbacker Set Up pages" http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick_maint.htm#rem as recommended on another forum (Basschat) as I was struggling with understanding how to set up the intonation - I usually set up my Fenders etc with no worries and having checked out Joeys pages I feel confident in having set up the Rickenbacker quite sweetly now (at least how I like it).

The only thing is now whilst I don't get any fouling of the pole pieces there's definitely a minor loss in volume when switching to the bridge pickup, which leads me to thinking that I could really do with adjusting the bridge pup a little nearer the string - it seems worse when playing the E string but as I said it is only minor loss in volume (but definitely noticeable), is there any easy fixes or perhaps something I may have overlooked? I'm really pleased with how the bass is now playing/set up but in an ideal world it would be cool to have consistency between neck & bridge pick ups.

Would anyone know if/what the nominal height should be between pole piece and string?

Many thanks in anticipation,
Pete

Hello Peter, there is really no exact to polepiece to bottom of string measurement. It's usually up to the playing style and preference of the player. However 5/32" is a good starting reference point, which I'm pretty sure I'd mentioned on that JBN Rickenbacker maintenance page.

Hi Joey,

Thanks for the response - have just re-read the maintenance pages and sure enough you had mentioned the spec - that's what happens when I speed read!

I think I may have to change my playing style a bit and not hit the strings quite so hard - I always play fingerstyle and only seem to contact the polepiece when getting excited (playing punk/rock).

Great website btw - really helpful - thanks.

All the best,
Pete.

Peter, please keep in mind that it's okay for one pickup to be quieter, or both, to facilitate a clean useable signal. The only thing you have to be worried about adjusting the pickup, IMO, are striking changes in timbre, not output. You could back off the neck pickup to match the bridge pickup at this point, etc. It won't decrease SNR radically, so you will just bump up the signal at your preamp stage with no ill effects.

Hi Joshua,

Thanks for that - I hadn't considered adjusting the neck pick up!?

I guess with all the learning I'm doing it's all too easy to get focussed with one key area rather than think laterally!

BTW - for reference, and to ensure I don't screw up the adjusting screws, what size Allen key is required for the bridge height screws? I managed to find something that would suffice but it's not quite the right size.

Cheers again,
Pete

On the corporate web site:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/manual.pdf

"Using the 3/32” hex
wrench included with your instrument,
gently turn the individual
polepiece to raise or lower it."

I'm a pretty aggressive player and I also like the tone from closer pickups. What I've done on my basses is put some 5 minute epoxy over the pole pieces so they don't get metal on metal contact. YMMV

s4001 wrote:I'm a pretty aggressive player and I also like the tone from closer pickups. What I've done on my basses is put some 5 minute epoxy over the pole pieces so they don't get metal on metal contact. YMMV

Hmm, interesting idea. I have the same issue. I play over or just to the rear of the treble pup and really dig and I find myself having to back the pup down a bit until it's out of reach of my assault. On my 4001 it's not so much the pole pieces getting battered but I find the strings contacting the treble pup surround. I was thinking of taking two thin strips of packing tape and lining the edge with a strip to keep the string from contacting the metal. Either that or swapping it out for a 4003 surround.

Sepp

Cheers for the responses guys, I'll keep you posted how I get on - at the moment I'm playing it with the treble cover installed and am finding if I play between cover and bridge I don't seem to have the problem, however I naturally want to play right over the pick up.

I've ordered a surround from Pickguardian so the cover will definitely be coming off soon.

Thanks again

ram wrote:On the corporate web site:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/manual.pdf

"Using the 3/32” hex
wrench included with your instrument,
gently turn the individual
polepiece to raise or lower it."

Now bookmarked! Cheers

thor wrote:Cheers for the responses guys, I'll keep you posted how I get on - at the moment I'm playing it with the treble cover installed and am finding if I play between cover and bridge I don't seem to have the problem, however I naturally want to play right over the pick up.

I've ordered a surround from Pickguardian so the cover will definitely be coming off soon.

Thanks again

Thor,

Four of the 5 Ric's I own all have the Tube Ampology treble fill in. http://tubeampology.com/2501.html POTR sells them as well as as direct from the maker. If the Pickgardian does not scratch your itch, I'd suggest looking at the Tube Ampology offering. I have the deluxe models.

Sepp

Kopfjaeger wrote:

thor wrote:Cheers for the responses guys, I'll keep you posted how I get on - at the moment I'm playing it with the treble cover installed and am finding if I play between cover and bridge I don't seem to have the problem, however I naturally want to play right over the pick up.

I've ordered a surround from Pickguardian so the cover will definitely be coming off soon.

Thanks again

Thor,

Four of the 5 Ric's I own all have the Tube Ampology treble fill in. http://tubeampology.com/2501.html POTR sells them as well as as direct from the maker. If the Pickgardian does not scratch your itch, I'd suggest looking at the Tube Ampology offering. I have the deluxe models.

Sepp

Hmm, this'll be why it's always best to do the research before getting wallet out - I really like the thought of the integrated thumb rest! Just received e-mail confirming dispatch of the goods from Pickguardian...will see how it works but have to say I prefer the aesthetics of the Tube Ampology - it doesn't seem half as bulky as the PG.

Thor,

I have no stake in the Tube Ampology product but I was leaning toward the Pickgardian option until I found the other. Either product is quality but I liked that the RIC components were able to be kept intact. You hardly notice the treble bezel insert and I was looking for an anchor point closer to the strings than the top of the factory surround.

The only bass I don't have one on is Snow White, a V63 with original "67" magnetic horse shoes. There is no way I'm taking them off!! I'll "settle" for a further anchor point on that bass.

Sepp

So the Tube Ampology product arrived this morning and was duly fitted - wow, what a difference! I now have found my natural playing position to be right on the bridge pickup (slightly nearer to the bridge if anything) and am really pleased with not just the aesthetics of the bezel but the integrated thumb rest is great too - also I reckon because I'm playing in my "natural position" that I'm tending to achieve a better "Ric" tone - I mostly always play fingerstyle now (despite learning with a pick all those years ago) and was finding I wasn't quite getting the sound I was after, now is much better!! (Probably because I've been faffing around trying to get the pick up height in its optimal position).

Just need to force myself to play somethings with a pick again now - more learning....

Have a great weekend everyone - and Happy New Year!!

NICE! I'm glad it worked out. Yup, I too was hooked by the Tube Ampology design and its function. I too learned with a pick many many years ago and in my early days, I was "pick primary". My first puick was selected by a music teacher and I remember it as looking and feeling like a thick piece of stiffened felt.

I try to use a pick now and it it just feels awkward. Yes, more sharp but awkward. Perhaps practice will smooth that out but right now I'm not finding the need to add it.

Sepp