New method for removing bridge cover from 4003?

simpytime · #1 09-01-2011, 07:51 AM

I want to remove the bridge pickup cover from my new 4003. I know how to do it by taking the entire assembly apart, but I came upon this interesting suggestion at joeysbassnotes.com:

The other way to remove the cover is quicker and was suggested on the Rickenbacker Forum by John Hall (CEO of RIC). You don't have to loosen the strings at all. Just loosen the two pickup height adjustment screws (the large ones at the sides of the assembly, but DON'T pull them out or up at all. When you are finished loosening the screws all the way, let the pickup drop to the inside of the body. Still do not remove the height adjustment screws. Squeeze the sides of the pickup cover until you can get it out from the under the surround plate. It won't break. You can even push one side into the opposite inner wall of the pickup cavity to squeeze it enough to come out. Be careful since you don't want the springs and ground wire to come off the screws, which is why you shouldn't remove them. When you get the cover out, hold the pickup assembly up a bit so that the screws go in the holes at the sides of the pickup mounting plate. Adjust the pickup height to the specs I mention above.

Has anyone tried this method? Any advice? I want to try it, but I don't want to bend the cover in the process.

Also, I read somewhere that the pickup cover provides a bit of shielding and the uncovered pickup may hum once it's removed. Anyone had this problem?

Thanks, everyone!

John

Ric5 · #2 09-01-2011, 04:12 PM

The best time to do it is when you change strings.

Brian_L · #3 09-01-2011, 05:20 PM

FWIW, I tried that short cut when I got my Ric last October, and I could not get the cover to flex enough to get it out. Clearly, I was missing a bit of the technique required to get it out, and just ended up doing it the hard way.

BTW, the cover is plastic, so you can not really bend it, although I suppose it could break. I never even plugged in before removing it, so if it provided any hum rejection, I did not hear it. Then again, I don't seem to hear any hum as it is now w/o the cover.

Brian

MisterWraith · #4 09-01-2011, 05:43 PM

When I did mine back in 1987 or so, I was a Gung Ho Teenager.. I undid both pickup screws too far ( Judging by this method) all strings were on the bass, but ohh boy, I had springs and little washers etc. go SPROING to later be sorted out.. I got the useless plastic bridge pickup cover out just fine without taking the strings off, then I spent a good 20 minutes+ re-assembling all the afformentioned springs, washers etc. and getting my bridge pickup properly back in place.. It turned out just fine in the end.

simpytime · #5 09-02-2011, 09:27 AM

Thanks, guys. I'm closing my laptop and going in! I'll post how it goes.

simpytime · #6 09-02-2011, 11:00 AM

Alright, that method sucked. It flat out didn't work, so I had to take the whole assembly apart. Looking at the structure of the parts, I don't see how this method could possibly work. Anyway, I did it the "old-fashioned" way no problem. Managed to get through it all without scratching the finish, which was the only thing I was worried about.