Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When I purchased my '74 4001 in '75, I removed the pickup cover and mute assembly, both of which are long gone. Yesterday, I replaced the pickup cover with a new one and am considering getting a new mute assembly. Unfortunately, I don't exactly remember how the mute works, so I don't know if I want to install one. I assume that in the lowest position, it doesn't touch the strings at all. Is that correct? I would like to be able to mute the strings on occasion but I don't want to lose the full sustain.

On another note, way back when, I used RotoSound Super Bass strings that had an adjustable nut with Allen screws, which I really liked. I believe the RotoSound Piano String 99 has replaced the Super Bass strings, but the method of installation is different. Has anyone here used both strings and how do they compare?

Bernie

When the mute is all the way down, it does not touch the strings (at least it shouldn't it installed properly)...

I have a complete mute assembly if you need one...

cjj wrote:When the mute is all the way down, it does not touch the strings (at least it shouldn't it installed properly)...

Thanks, CJ, then I will go for one. I see there is a ground wire on the assembly. Does it attach directly to the tailpiece?

jaymi wrote:I have a complete mute assembly if you need one...

PM sent.

Tronman wrote:

cjj wrote:When the mute is all the way down, it does not touch the strings (at least it shouldn't it installed properly)...

Thanks, CJ, then I will go for one. I see there is a ground wire on the assembly. Does it attach directly to the tailpiece?

It's been a while since I looked at how things are connected, but I think the ground wire attached to the mute is the way the ground is usually attached to the whole tailpiece assembly. The ground should go from the mute to the rest of the ground on the pots, etc.

If you removed the mute assembly, there's most likely still a ground wire somehow connected to the tailpiece (otherwise you'd get hum). This can be connected back to the mute assembly...

cjj wrote:

Tronman wrote:

cjj wrote:When the mute is all the way down, it does not touch the strings (at least it shouldn't it installed properly)...

Thanks, CJ, then I will go for one. I see there is a ground wire on the assembly. Does it attach directly to the tailpiece?

It's been a while since I looked at how things are connected, but I think the ground wire attached to the mute is the way the ground is usually attached to the whole tailpiece assembly. The ground should go from the mute to the rest of the ground on the pots, etc.

If you removed the mute assembly, there's most likely still a ground wire somehow connected to the tailpiece (otherwise you'd get hum). This can be connected back to the mute assembly...

CJ,

You are correct sir. The ground wire is soldered to the mute bar which then grounds the tailpiece via the mute adjustment screws. Important to note if you have an intermittent grounding issue with the tail piece, especially when jumping around, check the tightness of the mute screws. One of my screws had backed out and was no longer making contact with the mute bar. Lucky I did not lose the screw.

So for everyone that has removed the mute assembly, how do you ground the tail piece? Just pinch the wire between the body and tail piece??

Sepp

Kopfjaeger wrote:So for everyone that has removed the mute assembly, how do you ground the tail piece? Just pinch the wire between the body and tail piece??

Sepp

Yes. Although I have not removed any mute assemblies except to adjust the shape of the mute bar, that is how it would be done.