Metal Plate Over Rickenbacker 4003

[superdick2112]

ok hypothetical if i wanted to trade my mapleglo 4003 for another bass and wanted the same quality as my 4003 what would everyone choose? please answer

Same quality as Rickenbacker? Imho, while Sadowsky, the Fender Custom Shop, Spector, and a few other American builders can match Rickenbacker's level of build quality, no one but Rickenbacker builds basses that sound like Rickenbackers , and that is one of the prime motivators for people who choose Ric basses.
Who can match Rickenbacker's quality at the same price level? No one. Carvin would be the closest, but they aren't quite at Ric's level of build quality yet. The other builders I mentioned charge 2x - 3x what Ric does - starts to make Rickenbackers look like a bargain, no? I've always thought they were.

 

[RickenBoogie]

BIG +1 to that^.

 

[bassplayer8953]

Have a look at this:
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The cover is still on my 4001 (for 20+ years now, so it's not likely to be removed anytime soon) but if I was going to go that route (remove the cover), I'd be grabbing on of those to install immediately. Definitely better than that open p'up surround...

 

[Billy3000]

I took the cover off of my 4003. It's not that hard, somebody else posted a video about it this week, if you need instruction. I went into it blindly and didn't have a problem. Just remember to put everything back as it was when you took it off. And be careful of the wiring, especially the grounding wire around the screw. It's not hard though, and anyone can do it, no sense taking it to a shop and paying them some outrageous fee to do it for you.

I'm waiting on the Tubeampology pickup bezel to come back in stock right now. I hate the look of the pickguardian one, it takes away from that Rickenbacker look IMO. The tubeampology one just attaches to the existing chrome surround and looks much much better IMO.

 

[Ricnroll]

Is that plate necessary? It seems like it helps with the sustain but also prohibits you from slaping freely. I heard most people take it off right away. Any insight?

So that's what it is. A slap restraint!