Is the Rickenbacker pickup cover really that bad?

[edbass]

Only two of my basses have covers, but it doesn't bother me at all. Even when I switch to one of them mid gig between songs.

 

[Ric5]

Thats a horseshoe pickup and that has to be there, right? Not a higain like that are on most 4003's?

I took my cover off my 4003 but I "could have" played it fingerstyle with it on. It was a snap to take it off, if I could do it anyone can.

Yes you can remove the cover unless it is one of the old rare horseshoe pickups where the cover is actually part of the pickup. Here's a picture where I removed the old weak 60s pickups and put in modern 4003 high gains. Then I did not need the cover. Also as much as people rave about old 50s and 60s pickups in my opinion old pickups are weak and lame. I really prefer the new Rickenbacker pickups to the old ones.

 

[mam1862]

I don't have the pick cover on the three basses that I play. The Ric came with one, but I took it off as it is in my way. My Precision and Jazz basses never came with them as I bought them used. I would have taken them off too. I don't think the cover on or off makes a difference to the appearance of the bass.

 

[woodyng]

i leave mine on,no problems. i especially like to use it as a palm rest when i play with a pick. i have a fake jazz bass that came with both covers,but i took them off,it doesn't look as odd as the rick with the cover off. (no gaping holes,etc.)

 

[grisezd]

I didn't own one but was lent one by my band last year. It didn't have a cover or a cover-removed-cover. Just a jagged hole my thumb kept dropping into. I found, though, that what I really wanted was a thumb rest (or a Jazz neck pickup) to feel comfortable though, and I probably could have played with the cover on if I'd had one. As it was, my right hand wanted to be right in between the two pickups!

If the bass of your dreams is a Ric don't let the cover (or no cover) get in your way.

 

[ShoeManiac]

I tried out a new 4003 last week, and the pickup cover was driving me CRAZY! It totally messed up my right-hand muting technique. I loved the bass, complete with this new roasted looking fingerboard. But if I get a 4003, that pickup cover goes right away. And what's unfortunate is that it would essentially rule out a 4001 C64 for me, even though my chief inspiration for getting a Rick is Paul McCartney.

 

[BassGen]

My first Ric is a 2001 Jetglo 4003 that I bought used. The cover was off it (but included in the case) when I got it and I bought a Tube Ampology bezel to fill in the hole. A cleaner look and there is a thumb rest on the model I chose.

My newest Ric is a 2011 MapleGlo 4003 bought new. The cover was on it. I'm actually liking it so much with the cover I'm thinking about putting it back on the JG.

The important thing is that if you want a 4003, the cover is very easy to remove and there are some good options for filling in the space around the pup if you prefer it without the cover. Obviously there are differing opinions here and it really is about your preference. So no need to make it a barrier to getting a Ric.

JetGlo 4003 with TA bezel with thumb rest

MapleGlo 4003 with original pup cover

 

[Medford Bassman]

When I got my RIC I tried it with the cover on. Got in the way of finger style. Then removed it. then tried the cover again a few weeks later I thought maybe i didn't give it a fair shake. Played a long gig with the cover on. Bad experience. Not its off for good and bought a bezel for the hole

 

[msb]

embrace the hole

 

[RobJ]

Both my '72 4001 and 4001CS have the covers (not exactly a cover on the Squire) on and I took it off my '86 4003 and installed the Trebel Bezel. I actually prefer the cover off but adjust easily when I play the ones with covers.

 

[David Jayne]

embrace the hole

I don't have a Ric to look at... would someone please explain WHY there is such a large hole there? It looks to me like the pickup itself is pretty small. I don't understand.

 

[johnk_10]

years ago i heard that McCartney removed the cover (cut it with a hack saw!) on his original horse shoe pickup and it stopped working, being part of the magnet assembly. rickenbacker replaced it for him with a vintage one, but he removed it and had a hi-gain installed in the bridge so he didn't have to deal with the cover.

 

[Korladis]

It depends on how you play.

For me, the cover doesn't get in the way at all. When playing finger style, I rest my thumb on the cover, or on the pickguard, or on the edge of the body when playing the low strings.

When playing pick style, I use the cover as a hand rest.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

HOLY SMOKES!

 

[adivin]

When taking the pickup cover off, does this require re-adjusting the pickup height? Are the cover screws the same that hold the pickup in place?

 

[Jeff Scott]

When taking the pickup cover off, does this require re-adjusting the pickup height? Are the cover screws the same that hold the pickup in place?

Yes, same screws, but it is not hard to adjust the pickup height, so don't let that stop you if you want to remove the cover.

 

[relayer66]

embrace the hole

Grow up people. No fingers were ever sliced off in that hole.

 

[GtenderG]

Grow up people. No fingers were ever sliced off in that hole.

The user who posted that has aged 9 1/2 years since then. I'm he's grown up since then.

 

[ElectricBass72]

It doesn't bother me at all.

 

[relayer66]

I’m sorry I didn’t grow up. Regressed, maybe.