Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I removed the bridge damper screws many years ago on my 4001 and wondered how to go about re-attaching them. I've tried just screwing them in but can't get them to locate the threads in the damper plate. Is some dis-assembly required? Cheers.

Hi Stan,

Welcome to the Forum. Unfortunately, you will have to remove the tailpiece from the bass (and therefore at least loosen the strings) so you can manipulate the mute plate from beneath. The grounding wire is also soldered to the back side of the plate, and the plate's contact with the screws grounds the tailpiece and bridge. You may find once reconnected that you'll have less hum as well. Once you have the thumb screws rethreaded, you can put the tailpiece back on the bass. There are usually five mounting screws, and three of them are under the bridge assembly. Good luck!

Thanks Paul for the detailed instructions and the welcome - much appreciated. Anything that might reduce the mains hum is welcome!

stanno wrote:Thanks Paul for the detailed instructions and the welcome - much appreciated. Anything that might reduce the mains hum is welcome!

Welcome Stan! If you've been having a lot of hum, that's the reason, the bridge and strings not being grounded.

Thanks John! Yes, the mains hum has been an intermittent problem. It's actually been into the Bass Centre (London) to try and reduce the problem a few years ago (on the insistence of our sound engineer!), which I think helped a bit, but it's always been a rather noisy beast.