Rickenbacker 4003 Neck Pickup Wiring Question

[santasurf]

Hi all. I am newbie to working with pickups so please bear with me.

I am trying to shield my Rickenbacker 4003 with copper tape because of the crazy hum and buzz.

I’ve realized that there is an unattached cable on the back of the neck pickup (on the corner). Does this look normal? Should I solder it somewhere?

 

[Gunga Din]

Is the housing grounded? Is that blob of solder under the grey cable? Can we see the other end of the cable? Also, take the can apart. We need to see where the hot and cold pickup wires are. To me, that loose, skinny wire is suspect.

 

[santasurf]

Is the housing grounded? Is that blob of solder under the grey cable? Can we see the other end of the cable? Also, take the can apart. We need to see where the hot and cold pickup wires are. To me, that loose, skinny wire is suspect.

Thanks! This is how it looks like. Are these good enough?

 

[Isaac_James]

Yes, it's disconnected. I actually had my 4003 open the other day and I got a photo. That loose wire is supposed to be connected somewhere in that thick piece of insulation. This isn't the best angle but you can see where it's supposed to go.

I am guessing it's a ground wire, and the fact that it's broken off is the reason you're getting hum.

 

[santasurf]

Yes, it's disconnected. I actually had my 4003 open the other day and I got a photo. That loose wire is supposed to be connected somewhere in that thick piece of insulation. This isn't the best angle but you can see where it's supposed to go.View attachment 7197057

I am guessing it's a ground wire, and the fact that it's broken off is the reason you're getting hum.

Thank you so much for sharing this, super helpful!

I was also planning to insulate using copper tape. Was that helpful?

 

[Isaac_James]

Thank you so much for sharing this, super helpful!

I was also planning to insulate using copper tape. Was that helpful?

It helps, just make sure that your shielding has continuity with the ground.

I'm glad my photos were helpful. I hope that's an easy thing to fix.

 

[Gunga Din]

Yes, it's disconnected. I actually had my 4003 open the other day and I got a photo. That loose wire is supposed to be connected somewhere in that thick piece of insulation. This isn't the best angle but you can see where it's supposed to go.View attachment 7197057

I am guessing it's a ground wire, and the fact that it's broken off is the reason you're getting hum.

Where's 'cold' wire (negative) from the pickup??

 

[Isaac_James]

Where's 'cold' wire (negative) from the pickup??

As far as I can tell that's what the broken wire is. Every photo I've found of the neck pickup only shows two wires, and that's also reflected in wiring diagrams.

 

[Gunga Din]

As far as I can tell that's what the broken wire is. Every photo I've found of the neck pickup only shows two wires, and that's also reflected in wiring diagrams.

That explains a lot!

 

[santasurf]

Is the housing grounded? Is that blob of solder under the grey cable? Can we see the other end of the cable? Also, take the can apart. We need to see where the hot and cold pickup wires are. To me, that loose, skinny wire is suspect.

I think I figured it out. Loose connection was the culprit.

 

[santasurf]

It helps, just make sure that your shielding has continuity with the ground.

I'm glad my photos were helpful. I hope that's an easy thing to fix.

Yes, thank you so much!!!