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Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover

dustinfennessey

dustinfennessey

Sep 29, 2011
814
3
WI
#1
Hey guys,
Just got a Rickenbacer 4003 and its gorgeous, sounds great, and I love the sound. Being brand new to Rics I just have a question regarding he pickup cover. I play finger style and it hasn't gotten in the way yet, but you never know if I'll want to remove it someday.

My question is does the pickup cover actually serve a purpose other than look it looks cool?

Thanks,
Dustin
 
#7
The origin of the Rickenbacker pickup cover goes back to the horseshoe pickup.

Rimg1288.jpg


Rimg1297.jpg


The horseshoe pickup was the first electric pickup for an electric guitar or electric bass. This pickup was invented in the 1930s. Late 1968 Rickenbacker upgraded the 4001 basses with a high gain pickup. The old horseshoe pickups were weak and prone to degaussing because it had magnetized steel shoes. Steel does not make a good magnet. The carbon content is too high. So the high gain pickup got a cover that resembled the shoes of the horseshoe pickup.

Most players remove the cover. A few players use it as a hand rest.
 
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#8
How can I remove the treble pickup cover from my 4003?
It is possible to remove the treble pickup cover without too much trouble.

You will first need to remove the strings from your instrument. Next you can unscrew the four mounting screws that hold the pickup in place. You will then be able to pull the entire assembly out of its cavity.

You may wish to note at this time how the parts are arranged so that you will be able to put them back together with a minimal amount of trouble. Unscrew and remove the two height adjustment screws (the springs may spring loose, so make sure you don't lose track of them), take out the cover, and reassemble the pickup.

After removing the cover, you may notice some additional hum, as the cover does provide extra shielding.

Taken from: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

So per the factory, it would appear it is not in fact 'just for looks'. Everyone talks about the fact that it is plastic. It is, but it is also copper/chrome plated so it is conductive and thus can in fact function as a shield.

Just sayin'.

:)
 
#9
Greg Jones said:
How can I remove the treble pickup cover from my 4003?
It is possible to remove the treble pickup cover without too much trouble.

You will first need to remove the strings from your instrument. Next you can unscrew the four mounting screws that hold the pickup in place. You will then be able to pull the entire assembly out of its cavity.

You may wish to note at this time how the parts are arranged so that you will be able to put them back together with a minimal amount of trouble. Unscrew and remove the two height adjustment screws (the springs may spring loose, so make sure you don't lose track of them), take out the cover, and reassemble the pickup.

After removing the cover, you may notice some additional hum, as the cover does provide extra shielding.

Taken from: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

So per the factory, it would appear it is not in fact 'just for looks'. Everyone talks about the fact that it is plastic. It is, but it is also copper/chrome plated so it is conductive and thus can in fact function as a shield.

Just sayin'.

:)
Click to expand...


Huh? ALL the pickup covers on my Rics have been nothing more than plastic - I have removed them all and had no hum whatsoever.

Removing the pickup cover is no big deal, but it is a little involved. For the life of me I can't remember the guy's name, but he has a series of YouTube videos that will walk you step by step in taking it off.

Then - I would highly recommend the pick guardian cover :

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

or any of the other "treble bezel" covers:

http://www.pickofthericks.com/products/Treble-Bezel-for-Rickenbacker-4003.html


Congratulations on your Ric!!!
 
#10
Buster Brown said:
Huh? ALL the pickup covers on my Rics have been nothing more than plastic - I have removed them all and had no hum whatsoever.

Removing the pickup cover is no big deal, but it is a little involved. For the life of me I can't remember the guy's name, but he has a series of YouTube videos that will walk you step by step in taking it off.

Then - I would highly recommend the pick guardian cover :

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

or any of the other "treble bezel" covers:

http://www.pickofthericks.com/products/Treble-Bezel-for-Rickenbacker-4003.html


Congratulations on your Ric!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Yeah, I'm not arguing the ease of removing the cover. It's silly easy.

The first part of my last post was taken directly from the Rickenbacker website, so if they say you may experience more hum, than I would say you may. :)

I know most that remove do not experience noise. I've read of one owner that did, but was able to fix it.

My main point is this bogus point that it is for looks only. The factory deems it a shield.

My 2011 4003 that I just got last week is plastic coated with chrome. Per the factory there is a layer of copper under the chrome. <shrug> Ohm it out. Put an ohm meter between the cover and the pup surround. I bet it shows ZERO ohms.

Actually don't, yours is removed so you can't do that. :)
 
#11
John Hall claims they shield the pickups from hum because they are coated with something. Of course that's complete BS.

To remove them is easy. These covers can be gently squeezed together and taken out of the hole. Putting them back on is a bit harder, but why would you put them back on?
 
#14
Greg Jones said:
Thanks!

Yeah, I'm not arguing the ease of removing the cover. It's silly easy.

The first part of my last post was taken directly from the Rickenbacker website, so if they say you may experience more hum, than I would say you may. :)

I know most that remove do not experience noise. I've read of one owner that did, but was able to fix it.

My main point is this bogus point that it is for looks only. The factory deems it a shield.

My 2011 4003 that I just got last week is plastic coated with chrome. Per the factory there is a layer of copper under the chrome. <shrug> Ohm it out. Put an ohm meter between the cover and the pup surround. I bet it shows ZERO ohms.

Actually don't, yours is removed so you can't do that. :)
Click to expand...

Yep! I had left the cover on my 4003 back in the 80s for years and years. I got rid of my Rics for about 5 years and then started buying again and this time began removing the cover.

Hell, I can't say with any certainty that it actually makes playing that much easier (for me), but it helps a little.

Cheers!!
 
#16
Definitely try removing the covers and playing over the pickup. I was really unsatisfied with my Ric tone until I did that. Maybe you'll find a tone you like too. I've been lazy and haven't gotten a bezel though. I wish they made them in chrome.
 
#19
Yeah, I'm a huge fan of the Tube Ampology bezels sold on PotR. I have one one all but one of my Rickenbackers. The last one has an original horseshoe pup so no need for the bezel there!

Dustin, your new 4003, does it have the hex socket pole pieces in both pups? if so. BONUS!!! All the pole pieces are adjustable to dial in each string separately as needed!!

I love my Rickenbackers!! :hyper:

Sepp
 
#20
Kopfjaeger said:
Yeah, I'm a huge fan of the Tube Ampology bezels sold on PotR. I have one one all but one of my Rickenbackers. The last one has an original horseshoe pup so no need for the bezel there!

Dustin, your new 4003, does it have the hex socket pole pieces in both pups? if so. BONUS!!! All the pole pieces are adjustable to dial in each string separately as needed!!

I love my Rickenbackers!! :hyper:

Sepp
Click to expand...

I just got my 2011 (July) 4003 last Wednesday. It has the hex socket pole pieces on both pups!

BTW, I saw your youtube vid where you compared the 4003/4004. Good stuff! :cool:
 

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