Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I could never understand why my '77 Rick 4001 was so much quieter and lifeless than my '88v63 until one day I replaced the worn out tuners for new ones that didn't need the plastic spacers under them, what a difference! Volume increased, much more 'lively' and no dead spots, just shows how important metal to wood contact is.

Stock Ric tuners had plastic bushings?

Yes the old style tuners didn't sit flat to the back of the headstock because of protruding metal tabs, in the 60s they drilled little dimples in the wood to accommodate the protrusions but in the 70s they used plastic spacer plates instead. The newer tuners are built differently and sit flat.

Another way to sharpen up the sound is to use 1MEG volume pots and toaster pick ups.