Remove Bridge Pickup Cover: Bezel + Chrome Ring

[Jerru]

Hi all... I'm relatively new to this forum, so please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong place.

I recently took the plunge and removed the bridge pickup cover on my 4003. I thought I would share the result, because I learned a bit from this process through trial and error, and I haven't seen all of this information posted anywhere.

(A) Removing the pickup cover was easy. As many on RickResource have already done, I watched this guy's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzsM5XQufCU.

(B) I got the Treble Bezel from PickoftheRicks.com. This is a really nice product. It is flexible, and the texture has a "rubberized" feel to it that is (to me) pleasant to touch.

(C) However, after I installed the Bezel, I noticed two things:
(1) There is a large gap between the Bezel and the pickup.
(2) As many have already noted on this forum website, the pickup itself is slanted--not straight. See attached picture.

Treble Bezel installed. Note slanted pickup and gap.

(D) Even with the gap and the slanted pickup, it actually looks pretty good, and definitely plays a LOT better without that pickup cover in the way. Still, I wanted to see if I could make it look just a bit more "finished".

(E) So I went on ebay and found (for about 30 bucks) a spare chrome pickup ring, like what is on the neck pickup. I installed this directly between the Bezel and the pickup itself. I raised the pickup up to sandwich the chrome ring in there. Take a look at the result. The chrome pickup ring fills the gap, and also masks/camouflages the "slanted/crooked" pickup. (I was relieved that I didn't have to worry about remounting the pickup itself.)

Chrome/plastic pickup cover REMOVED. Treble Bezel (PickoftheRicks.com) and chrome pickup ring added.

(F) One lingering issue: The chrome pickup ring is just a few mm longer than the space/hole in the middle of the Bezel. Thus, I can't raise the pickup up so that the chrome ring protrudes all the way through the Bezel hole. And therefore, right now my bridge pickup is slightly lower than my neck pickup. It's a trade-off, I guess. Because of the flexible material of the Bezel, I can raise the bridge pickup some, which causes the Bezel to sort of "bulge" in the middle.

(G) If PickoftheRick can make a Bezel with a hole/space that is just a bit larger--just a few mm, it would make all the difference. If not, I am quite happy with the look/result I've obtained here.


Thoughts/comments?

[ken_j]

I would realign the pickup on its mounting plate. Welcome to the RRF.

[rickenbottom]

Welcome to RRF. I have exact treble bezel covers on both my rics and absolutely love them. There is a small gap but makes playability for me anyways so much better. I like that chrome surround though. Very cool. Oh nice Fireglo.

[jps]

(G) If PickoftheRick can make a Bezel with a hole/space that is just a bit larger--just a few mm, it would make all the difference. If not, I am quite happy with the look/result I've obtained here.


Thoughts/comments?

I believe Chris only sells these, he is not the manufacturer of them.

[bode]

Thanks for the quick account activation mods/ admin!

I like this pickup ring a lot as I've just purchased a treble bezel a few moments ago.

But where did you get this chrome ring? I can't see it anywhere.

Cheers

[jps]

Welcome, Gary!

But where did you get this chrome ring? I can't see it anywhere.

Cheers

I believe the chrome ring is a hi-gain pickup cover # 02082.

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

[bode]

I believe the chrome ring is a hi-gain pickup cover # 02082.

I found the #02082 cover on a UK Rickenbacker parts site, but he is saying that this cover is for the neck pickup.

Are the two pickups identical sizes, will this cover fit both of them?

I'll assume 02082 will sit with the treble bezel.

[jps]

It should fit, there is only one part made.

[bode]

(G) If PickoftheRick can make a Bezel with a hole/space that is just a bit larger--just a few mm, it would make all the difference. If not, I am quite happy with the look/result I've obtained here.


Thoughts/comments?

I liked what you have done here, but I contacted a UK seller who looked into the bezel size issue. He said that they eventually shelved the idea as the bezel would have been too thin at the sides. So I doubt there will be a fix. Is the lower treble pickup not causing volume/ balance issues?

[sunsetjunk]

Hi Jerru
I'm the designer/manufacturer of these Treble Bezels. The issue (F) that you mentioned can be avoided ordering custom machined bezel directly from my Tube Ampology website. I have custom made a bunch of these to fit customer applications of HB-1's in the treble position as well as fitting a front pickup with the chrome ring in the treble position.
If you would like your bezel to be machined to fit the chrome pickup ring I will machine it for you no charge. Just pay for the return shipping.
The reason there is a gap between the Treble Bezel and the factory treble pickup is because the pickup is sometimes mounted crooked or offset when the bass is assembled. The Treble Bezels gap needs to be there in order to allow fitment for this. You can reposition your pickup to get it more centered in the Treble Bezel opening if you like.
I personally think that having that chrome ring on the treble pickup with the Treble Bezel installed is the ultimate finished look. But if I made all the Treble Bezels to fit this custom application of the chrome ring on the treble pickup the Treble Bezel opening would end up being larger than it needs to be for it's originally intended application and 99.9% of my customers. This is why it is offered as a custom option available directly through my website.
I'm glad your happy with it. Let me know if you want yours machined or you can just exchange it (if it's not damaged) for a custom one in a couple of weeks when I CNC some more batches,I can set one aside for custom machining.

Thanks
Frank

[Colonel Sanders]

Personally, I just remove the cover and leave it at that. When I play fingerstyle, I anchor my thumb on the top of the bridge pickup while playing the E string then "float" my thumb to the other strings.

[DeRoonenator]

Wow, that's some great service offered there Frank! Amazing.
FYI: I am going to install one of your bezels this evening. Looks like a quality product to me, and with a serial #

Mike