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73' Rick, what to do.
- Thread starter Reptileroundabo
- Start date
I'd do the same.
Nothing wrong with the BadAss, perfectly good bridge, I'd leave that.
The cap can be bypassed (if it hasn't already been done) by using a short solid core jumper wire and either twisting or soldering the ends over the leads to the cap.
Easily reversible and simple to do.
I wouldn't bother restoring to original, but the mods he did look bad. I'd get black plexi and replace the sheet metal he used for the surround and the bridge area and call it a day. I used red plexi for my surround back in 92, before Pickguardian was basically doing the same thing. They make a mirrored surround that I guess is supposed to mimic the chrome look.
Rickenbacker RPUP Bridge Pickup Plate | Pickguardian
PS - I would NOT bypass the cap. If you look closely at mine (1985 4003), you can see a mini toggle (looks like a screw in this picture, in the space between the nobs and the output jack) because I ADDED the cap (it went away in the early 80s) when I learned about it on this forum. I use it IN 90% of the time, I think it makes a Rick a Rick, but I have it switchable for flexibility.
Rickenbacker RPUP Bridge Pickup Plate | Pickguardian
PS - I would NOT bypass the cap. If you look closely at mine (1985 4003), you can see a mini toggle (looks like a screw in this picture, in the space between the nobs and the output jack) because I ADDED the cap (it went away in the early 80s) when I learned about it on this forum. I use it IN 90% of the time, I think it makes a Rick a Rick, but I have it switchable for flexibility.
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Replace that pickup surround. It looks horrible.
Don't put an original Ric bridge...they suck and are one of the main problems with Rics.
I wouldn't put a cover or horseshoe on the bridge pickup either. Those are a pain and limit where you can use your right hand.
Don't put an original Ric bridge...they suck and are one of the main problems with Rics.
I wouldn't put a cover or horseshoe on the bridge pickup either. Those are a pain and limit where you can use your right hand.
I concede with the statement to keep the bridge but swap out that rear pickup cover. And that one vintage pot cap isn't matching the 70s ones, so...
Question is why you're running it through a Valvetronix? Watch out for the speaker, 4001's are low heavy with the bridge pup @ full
Question is why you're running it through a Valvetronix? Watch out for the speaker, 4001's are low heavy with the bridge pup @ full
If you have fallen in love with it as is, then tread carefully with changing anything. Who knows which of those parts or what combination of them is giving the bass its magic? Go ahead and try to swap one thing out at a time, and see if you still love it or not. Personally, I love leave it as is and play the heck out of it. It does look mean and unique, why blend in with what all the others look like?
I might replace the one knob, but that's it. I agree that the pu surround makes it stand out from the crowd. I wouldn't change anything, except maybe to make the knobs all match.
Man, I wouldn't change a thing on that monster.
You said you love the way it plays, so DEFINITELY don't change the bridge. I could be wrong, but I don't think Badass made a true Rick style bridge, which means a previous owner went through the trouble of making that tailpiece to fit around it. Awesome.
And that pickup cover is super unique - I spend a lot of time drooling over Ricks and I've never seen one like it. I agree it matches the bridge and looks great.
I wouldn't even replace the knob - just let it be it's old gritty self.
You said you love the way it plays, so DEFINITELY don't change the bridge. I could be wrong, but I don't think Badass made a true Rick style bridge, which means a previous owner went through the trouble of making that tailpiece to fit around it. Awesome.
And that pickup cover is super unique - I spend a lot of time drooling over Ricks and I've never seen one like it. I agree it matches the bridge and looks great.
I wouldn't even replace the knob - just let it be it's old gritty self.
Wouldn't change a thing.
Well, maybe get that metal cover professionally buffed up so it shines like an Airstream trailer in the sun.
Well, maybe get that metal cover professionally buffed up so it shines like an Airstream trailer in the sun.
Ended up in a similar situation, got my first rick earlier this year - a 77 4001. Has a toaster in the neck instead of the high gain but I haven't really gigged anything else since I got it. Plays beautifully. I've been looking for an original vintage neck pickup so I can bring it back to stock, but I'm happy with how it sounds as is so I haven't realllly been looking if you know what I mean.
I would make a decision about whether I want use it as a player...or optimize its value as a showpiece, collector's item, or trade bait. And I would recognize that the answer to this second question would automatically determine the best possible response to the first question.
MM
That's a good question. Seller said it was a new toaster, so I assumed it's the modern scatterwound style. Looks like the modern pickups (has the circles on the plastic like this). I didn't know they had a higher impedance version in the 90s.
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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THIS!
Just change the bridge pickup surround and leave the rest alone.
The stock rick tailpiece is lame. You don't really want to go there.
