Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover removal?

monoBEAR · Post by **monoBEAR** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:57 pm

So I got my new Rickenbacker and tried to take the pickup cover off based on the instructions I read on this site. I got
The screws loosened and the pickup dropped but can't get cover off. Seems like the springs are holding it in. Am I doing
Something wrong? Seems like I am so close to getting it.

xsubs · Post by **xsubs** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 11:06 pm

From our own Joey Vasco's site...
http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick%20maint.htm#rem

antipodean · Post by **antipodean** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:45 am

Get a big, heavy hammer and start hitting the cussed thing hard until it breaks. Then hit it again a few times for good measure. After a few minutes hit it again, really hard. This will make you feel much better for a little while and help get the cover off but there may be some collateral damage to the bass.....

On second thoughts, Sean's link to Joey's well of wisdom may be more helpful....

monoBEAR · Post by **monoBEAR** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:20 am

I ended up using Joey's first method of removing the strings and whatnot and got the baby right off. The second way that Jon Hall suggests is a tad bit tricky. I couldn't get it off like that.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 11:20 am

Congratulations on taking the cover off.

Now your bass plays better, sounds better, and looks better!

jagdeluxe · Post by **jagdeluxe** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:03 pm

Evan never use a hammer to remove the pup covers, an industrial grinder with the 8-inch wheel and 13 amp motor works best.Wear goggles and place the bass in your driveway,its better on a rainy day so the fragments wont fly too far

bartyclue · Post by **bartyclue** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:22 pm

jagdeluxe wrote:Evan never use a hammer to remove the pup covers, an industrial grinder with the 8-inch wheel and 13 amp motor works best.Wear goggles and place the bass in your driveway,its better on a rainy day so the fragments wont fly too far

I can't believe you would suggest something so barbaric.. Oxyacetylene is so much more humane

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:22 pm

rickaddict wrote:Congratulations on taking the cover off.

Now your bass plays better, sounds better, and looks better!

+ 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 %

Islandboy · Post by **Islandboy** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:11 pm

I feel like I hit the motherload with this link ..... THANK YOU !!! And thanks Joey for putting it together !!
Off with the pickup cover ...................

xsubs wrote:From our own Joey Vasco's site...
http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick%20maint.htm#rem

cassius987 · Post by **cassius987** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:23 pm

rickaddict wrote:Now your bass plays better, sounds better, and looks better!

You'll have to fill me in on how this improves the sound.

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:24 pm

Islandboy wrote:I feel like I hit the motherload with this link ..... THANK YOU !!! And thanks Joey for putting it together !! Off with the pickup cover ................ ...

http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick_maint.htm#rem

There you go, Islandboy !!! Another happy bassist to discover the Magna Carta of knowledge on JBN !

analogpackrat · Post by **analogpackrat** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:04 pm

cassius987 wrote:
rickaddict wrote:Now your bass plays better, sounds better, and looks better!

You'll have to fill me in on how this improves the sound.

Well, you can now play directly over the bridge pickup which sounds different (better for some things). So the range of available tones is improved. Does that count? Also, a happy bassist is a better bassist. I (attempt to) play fingerstyle and like to be able to pluck from on top of the bridge pickup all the way up to the fretboard to get different tones. That danged cover was annoying me. Not anymore!

I also recently removed the cover on my 4003 and couldn't do it the JH way. Ended up taking the strings off and then it was easy. JBN is a great resource. Thanks, Joey!

Lefty4003S8 · Post by **Lefty4003S8** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:37 pm

jagdeluxe wrote:Evan never use a hammer to remove the pup covers, an industrial grinder with the 8-inch wheel and 13 amp motor works best.Wear goggles and place the bass in your driveway,its better on a rainy day so the fragments wont fly too far

This is an example of one of the MANY reasons why I LOVE this forum.......so many TRUE experts on these SUPERB instruments and how to properly take care of them!!!!!!!!

Lefty4003s8

Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

badeggs · Post by **badeggs** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:47 pm

jagdeluxe wrote:Wear goggles and place the bass in your driveway

Then hit it with your car...

CatHead · Post by **CatHead** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:16 pm

Ive left the cover on my 4003... reason being that my 4001 which I had for many years before the 4003 didnt come with one. So its nice to have two that look a bit different. Also (more importantly) my standard playing position with fingers is over the neck pickup, and my pick position is near the bridge (a'la Mr Squire) so it has no bearing on my playing at all - in fact its almost a handy barrier so I know where my hand is positioned. And the reason I play near the bridge pickup fingerstyle? My fingers used to get stuck in the chasm that opens up in the bridge pickup without a cover on it!

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