4003 Bridge Pickup Cover Removal

[Fret_Spider]

Hello. 

I realize that to some, what I'm about to ask may very well be a defilement of an incredible instrument.  So I apologize in advance...

Any of you know anyone that would do a decent job of removing the bridge pickup cover and mounting the pickup assembly to the body?  The cover just happens to be where my hand feels most comfortable plucking those strings.  I reside in the Chicago area and finding someone local would be great.

Thanks!

[chromium]

Have you seen these?

http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/RICBridgePUPlate.html


Looks pretty simple to retrofit, and could be reverted back if you ever needed to.

oh - and welcome btw!

[Fret_Spider]

Thanks Joe, this was exactly what I have been looking for.  Mark

[hieronymous]

Removing the cover on a Ric is standard practice - the pickguardian cover is pretty cool:



But you can also take it off and leave it as-is:



I can't stand the pickup cover myself - it gets in the way of my picking hand, even though I don't pick directly over the pickup.

There are instructions someplace - apparently you can take it off without unscrewing anything, but I've never tried it. Check this out: Joey's Bass Notes (go to "bass guitar maintenance" and select Rickenbacker). Good luck and welcome aboard!!!

[ramone57]

I ran across this at TB today.  looks better than the pickguardian plate, imo.   

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=2ed13d56e453209a42599bb2b8530e1c&t=625211

[ilan]

Wow. That's a really cool product. Maybe I can install it on my Ric with the handrest/cover, to prevent dust from settling in the cavity.

[Fret_Spider]

Thanks everyone for their input.  I thought I'd just share which solution I ended up with.... as I tried both.

I ordered the pickguardian first, while the two holes on pickup assembly for the screws near the bridge fit just fine, the two facing the neck were off, slightly.  But off just enough that I was unable to put those screws in.  Maybe I got the wrong size?

The gentlemen from TalkBass forum had one of the inserts for sale on eBay and I tried that one and it worked out much better.  It looks exactly as it does in the photo.  The design also retains the ability to adjust the height of the pickup with no problem.  This one's a keeper.

[Dave W]

I like the looks of that one better. Glad it worked out for you.

[uwe]

That is cool. First esthetic solution I've seen. I only keep the cover on my Rics because I can't stand the cavernous surroundings of the bridge pup. It's a real turn-off for me. What is the contact of the seller?

[patman]

The bridge pup is a very comfortable place to rest your thumb.  It actually allows your thumb to be approximately even with the level of the E String, maybe a little lower.  It's a little weird at first, but once you get used to it, it sounds great, and it economizes finger movement.

[ilan]

Uwe: Mail@tubeampology.com