If you want a thumb rest, google zeromod. Best money you will ever spend. Matches pickguard and uses existing screws
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Rickenbacker Snakebite
- Thread starter hubberjub
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If you want a thumb rest, google zeromod. Best money you will ever spend. Matches pickguard and uses existing screws
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Screw it, just cover the sharp things with electrical tape. Id rather have comfort than looks, which is why my rick is more a conversation piece than main instrument. But man, what a looker!
Enjoy your bass! A treble pickup bezel is always a good choice. Another one i found was to find an early 90's or 80's pickup surround it doesn't have the aggressive milling.
Enjoy your bass! A treble pickup bezel is always a good choice. Another one i found was to find an early 90's or 80's pickup surround it doesn't have the aggressive milling.
+1 million for the treble bezel. I had the pickguardian surround on my first Ric, but MUCH prefer the bezel.
why waste all that effort? I kept the cover on. zero effort. zero time spent.
I got rid of mine for two reasons.
First, I play in different spots depending on the tone I want. The cover just gets in the way of that and limits options. None of my Fenders have covers for the same reason.
Second, probably the single most disappointing aspect of finally getting my 4003 (I had wanted one for ages) was discovering the cover is a cheapo piece of faux-chrome plastic. I couldn't wait to be shot of it.
The early '60s surrounds were often curved all the way to the sides of the surround. This is a V63 surround I had for many years that I traded recently; you might want to consider doing this to yours. A Dremel and a patient hand is all that's required.
Photograph Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2017 All rights reserved.
It looks particularly nice with a horseshoe pickup, or a cover, too.
Photograph Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2012 All rights reserved.
Big agreement, there!Yes. Putting the cover back on....
I removed mine, from day one, and used it to fulfill a side fantasy portraying Cyclops, from the X-Men...
... Spidey can dream, too...
... Spidey can dream, too...
I agree. I can't believe it's just a piece of cheap plastic. I mean, how much more could a piece of steel or aluminum cost?
Precisely. Embrace it and learn to work with it on. For those Rics with a horseshoe pickup it isn't an option; you learn to work with the instrument or you move on.
The bezel is the way to go.
It solves the sharp corner issue by eliminating it, it cleans up the overall appearance (and is the best-looking option, by far), and its 100% reversible.
Congrats on the bass, btw. Jetglo is a classic look, and you cant go wrong with a 4003.
You have chosen wisely...
It solves the sharp corner issue by eliminating it, it cleans up the overall appearance (and is the best-looking option, by far), and its 100% reversible.
Congrats on the bass, btw. Jetglo is a classic look, and you cant go wrong with a 4003.
You have chosen wisely...
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The cover over the treble pickup has always been chrome-plated plastic. Metal ones would cost more. The plastic may look cheap/flimsy, but I've never seen a broken one. While it does shield the pickup a bit, it is mostly there to look like the old Horseshoe pickup. Many players like it in place as a hand rest. Many others like it removed to get access to what some call the "sweet spot" for plucking/picking. And some who remove the cover then complain that the pickup isn't installed straight (doesn't have to be, really), or that the uncovered opening is uncomfortable in some way. The Tubeampology inserts solve many of these problems except for providing a hand rest.
While you're at it you might as well get yourself one of these. Otherwise that thing will never intonate properly.
I just think it's so cool how you have to spend so much $ for an instrument and then spend more time & $ "fixing" it, don't you?
I just think it's so cool how you have to spend so much $ for an instrument and then spend more time & $ "fixing" it, don't you?
Amazing how with Rics everything is a "fix". With most other brands it would be considered a "mod"....
In my experience Rick bridges generally intonate just fine. They're a pain in the ass to adjust, but once they're set they're stable as hell. As a hipshot Rick bridge user, I can attest that they have issues of their own. Yes it's easier to adjust, but you better be prepared to Loctite those height adjustment screws, because an aggressive player will knock those things out of whack in a single set! The saddles are also prone to rocking, as they have no side walls to stabilize them, particularly with lighter guage strings. Having used the Hipshot for a couple years now, I'm seriously considering having Dane ( @Aceonbass ) mod a standard Rick tailpiece for me. Retains the look, but easier to adjust.While you're at it you might as well get yourself one of these. Otherwise that thing will never intonate properly.
I just think it's so cool how you have to spend so much $ for an instrument and then spend more time & $ "fixing" it, don't you?
LOCTITE?!? OMG! Never use Locite on an instrument. Especially those little bridge adjustment screws. I can tell you for sure - clear fingernail polish* works just fine. FWIW, I'll use it on any screw that looks like it needs some help staying attached and after 40 years I just recently had to get a new bottle.
*Got this tip from Carol Kaye if that means anything to you . . .
I have the same bass. I use a zero-mod thumb-rest and left the pickup cover on. I play over the neck pickup.
