Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Are each of the pickup pole pieces adjustable, or can only the whole pickup be raised or lowered? I just put lighter roundwounds on my new old '79 4001, and, while the playability and action are perfect, I'm now getting a very clicky sound on the A and D strings even with the slightest of attack.

I could probably answer this myself with a little experimentation, but as I just got a mint condition '79, I don't want to mess around with it.

Thanks

THe polepieces of the bass pickups are NOT adjustable .
You need about 3/32" to 3/16" of clearance on the treble side ,between the strings and the top of the polepieces when you press down the strings at the last fret.
If you have that ,then you need to lower the pickups further.
If you have this and you have already lowered the pickups ...you have a different problem.

What effect does the strings touching the polepieces have on the pickups internally (I mean besides grinding them down)? I often use this to get that classic Rick 'growl' when I'm playing thru a DI.

It won't hurt the pickup if thats what you mean

A pickup is a frame that holds the polepieces that "see" the string,then wire is wrapped around that and a hot and a ground/earth wire are connected.

Thats it .Not a rocket science thing .

If you reverse the leads at the controls ,the polepieces could be connected to the beginning of the coil and that would give you snap ,crackle/popping noises...but that is it .

And lastly ...that woman in the front row may find you annoying with your growling noise ...but that is about it .