Making an alternative pickup cover

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 5:23 am

like a lot of ppl i cant play my rick 4003 with the treble pickup cover on.

However, without the cover the pickup seems rather exposed and slightly delicate

i was looking at www.rickbeat.com, and saw this:

http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/4001/40011976.jpg

what a good idea! has anyone else done this? I'd like to but it looks tricky to measure

banta · Post by **banta** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 6:03 am

Should be simple enough to retrofit a piece like that. I've often thought it would be nice if Rickenbacker provided as an optional accessory a factory-made surround that would be fingerstyle friendly in place of the standard surround w/cover.

banta · Post by **banta** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 6:05 am

(Although I like the cover myself and would not personally opt for a different surround.)

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 12:37 am

Owen: yes, I did that very modification to a 1982 4001 I sold about two years ago to a guy who did not care for the handrest (which I kept). The piece was made from thin (1/8") black plastic.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 1:28 am

Sergio - do you by any chance know/remember the measurements?

Any chance you could draw me up a template? (Im terrible with measuring and stuff)

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 6:36 am

Not anymore, but I can check those for you on any of my 4001s. Stay tuned.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 1:13 pm

Well, the approximate size of the alternative pickup 'cover' is:
Length: 5 1/2"
Width: 1 1/2"
The 'cover' is to be provided with a central opening for the pickup, the size of which varies slightly on 4001/4003 basses made before the 90s. It's up to you to determine this.
A non-threaded hole (about 1/4" in diameter) is to be provided on each end of the 'cover' to allow for the pickup height adjustment screws. Preferably, all four corners of the 'cover' should be rounded off. That's all.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 5:16 am

thanks!, hey my bass is a 1991 model, any difference?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 10:40 am

No. The treble pickup on your 4003 is roughly 2 3/4" long and roughly 1 1/16" wide, which is to be the approximate size of the central opening therefor on the 'cover'.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 12:13 pm

Owen:
Correction: the exact size of the current 4003 high-gain pickup (bass & treble) is 2 3/4" (length) x 15/16" (width).
I've just been given a 1992 4003 high-gain bass pickup. My, this one is hot: 13.6 K!

weemac · Post by **weemac** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 10:47 pm

I know that this is off the subject a bit!
My 92 4003 had those overwound pickups, and there was just too much mud in the sound I finally worked the courage to unwind them a bit to 8.5K I think I can now really hear what the 4003 sounds like.
It has a rather good sound now!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 11:15 pm

Hi, Eden.
Check the 'Rickenbacker Basses' Archives 2002. Click on the 38th thread therein, 'More Tips For Modifying A Rickenbacker Pickup', to find out how I've made a similar mod to a 1993 4003.