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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:53 am
by rictified
I think that mod is almost as ugly as the Seymore Duncans that will come off my 4003 within one minute after I get it (if it ever comes that is)
I never knew Rics came with the covers the first few years I knew about them as every one I ever saw (70's) had the covers off. I like the look of the open area, it just looks correct to me, and sets these basses apart from all the rest of them. And plus it is a hell of a lot easier to play with out them unless you've made that part of your style as some players here have. My new 71 P bass, my 68 P and also my new 77 4001 also came with covers which I promptly took off as did every one else I knew. I think they look cool though, I just can't play with them on, same with horseshoes, sound great, can't play with them. I have about 6 of them at home right now.

And I have also read that the C64 represents McCartneys' bass as it is today, that the high gain was replaced with a new horseshoe.

To take off the cover: as per JH (it is in an old post somewhere here in the archives, from this year I think). unscrew both bolts all the way and let the cover and pickup fall inside, the bend the cover slightly, just enough so that you can get it out, then put the bolts back in the holes making sure the springs and ground wire (and spacers if it is a 4001, or old 4003) are still on and screw the pickup back up, saves a lot of time. Check where it was relative to the strings before you loosen it if you are not real handy, if you are, just re-position it by ear, usually equal volume or a little louder in relation to the bass pickup, what ever you prefer. This is much easier with a newer 4003 with the one piece mounting plate, one less piece to worry about falling off the bolts into no mans land.

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:55 pm
by m_cuffa
Well it's off. And I have to say.. I'm constantly worrying some flying piece of crud will fly into that hole. It's really strange to look at.. boy it's going to take some getting used to.

Aside from that it's a lot more comfortable to play for a finger-plucker like myself, although I noticed the pickup is a teensy weensy eensy bit crooked. It's not quite parallel to the bass pickup by about a degree or so. Looks like it was glued on that way. Nothing to worry about, I hope?

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 5:16 am
by big_g
I've noticed that some people will get one of those little chrome trim rings from the front pickup to cover the taped area on the sides of the bobbin, when they pull the back cover off.
I guess, for just a little extra dust and crud protection, as far as the pickup being just a little crooked to your eye, think of it this way, it was like that before you pulled the cover off, you just couldn't see it.
As long as it sounds good, don't sweat it, just looks funny at first.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:32 am
by rob
Sometimes I go through phases. When I had the original Hi-Gain treble PU, I purchased a cover just for the looks. When I switched to the re-issue Horseshoe, I left the shoes on for a year and a half. Now, they're off. So, my point is that I never had any trouble with or without the cover. I just switch on and off for my personal visual preference.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:30 am
by rictified
Some of my treble pickups are crooked too, no big deal, and I have six covers, not six horseshoes, sorry if I confused anyone.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:35 am
by m_cuffa
thanks for the help everyone. BTW, has anybody else noticed that the rickenbacker website has been down all day?