pickup cover on or off on a 4003 bass?

[jps]

From the looks of it though, the original owner of the 4005WB had a Gibson EB cover on it at one time.

[hieronymous]

I'm impressed - this thread could easily have gotten mean, but honestly it hasn't. I usually don't like it when people state their opinions as fact, like "x color trim with y color finish is just wrong," but I think I was the only one to make that kind of statement in this thread!

And as cool as they look, when I found out that they are plastic any coolness factor wore off. (YMMV of course)

Not bustin' on you, Harry but you make an interesting point. What is it about plastic that so many of us don't like?! Plastic pickup covers are inferior to the "real" metal RI horseshoes? Metal toaster pickups are generally preferred to plastic hi-gain pickups? 70's tuners with the plastic tuner bushings are generally the least desirable RIC tuner.(Much less desirable than the self-exploding Wavy Grovers anyway!)

What's so wrong with plastic?!

Thread hijack alert. Thread hijack alert.

That's a really good question. There isn't anything inherently wrong with plastic. I think it's because my first Ric was a '76 and didn't come with the cover. In my head I thought that the cover would be metal, and I thought they looked really cool. But when I finally got a bass with a cover, I realized that, not only did it interfere with my playing style, but it wasn't metal after all! So technique-wise it had to come off, but the fact that it wasn't what it seemed to be cinched the deal.

I guess that's what got me - it looks like metal, but it isn't. It's actually really impressive how much like metal they look.

[woodyng]

ON! i play both pick and fingerstyle,and found the mute area of the bridge to be more of a hindrance than the pickup cover, replacing that with a hipshot bridge cured that. i also think the bass just looks naked without that cover.

[rickaddict]

I guess that's what got me - it looks like metal, but it isn't. It's actually really impressive how much like metal they look.

It does really look like metal. And I think its actually kind of cool for those who prefer it on because: A) It looks like metal but is about .7 lbs lighter than RI horseshoes, and B) Its never cold like a horseshoe (but then again, a cold horseshoe might be seen as a good thing. Like when you're playing in a really hot room... That cold horseshoe is like a nice, tall, cold glass of beer. Mmmm...Beer!)

I also think the bass just looks naked without that cover.

But a 4004 doesn't look naked without any pickup cover? Or how about without a pick guard?

[brianeharmonjr]

I definitely like mine on, so if there are any "off" guys with a 4003 BT that want to unload their cover, I'll gladly take it off of your hands. The chrome just doesn't quite cut it, looks wise, on my 4003 White BT.

[lucky]

Mine is on, as it was when i was bought it.But if i ever get another 4003 that has the cover missing i would'nt replace it, the pic of the AFG 4003 with the missing pickup cover looked good.

[rickfan60]

For the last 30 years the first thing I do when I get a "new" Rickenbacker bass is remove the cover ( I now have a boatload of them in my parts bin). There have only been a few execptions. My two VRI horseshoes sill have their covers and I left my 4003 Redneck intact. I took the cover off my DCM the day the bass arrived. So I guess my vote is OFF.

[gray]

On. They don't bother me, and it's easier than taking them off. Besides, it's interesting to see who out there even knows what it is.

[johnallg]

Well, I like it on, but if it interferes with where you play, take the thing off!

+1 I had mine off until I got the RIHS and got used to playing around the show so I now have the covers on all my Ricks.

Main function now is as a hum shield, and to also look retro.

[beacon]

Must be OFF...no, must be ON....no, must be one of EACH

[alanz]

SnotGlo = OFF

BronzeGlo Abomination = Custom OFF

[Droog61]

On... It actually attracts hot airline stewardesses and international top models!

[johnallg]

On... It actually attracts hot airline stewardesses and international top models!

Okay, we want the story!

[2112]

Off.

[Droog61]

On... It actually attracts hot airline stewardesses and international top models!

Okay, we want the story!

I'll post it under the Rickensmut section