pickup cover on or off on a 4003 bass?

[rickaddict]

I 've played for years without the cover, then bought one and it hasn't come off since.
It's exactly what I wanted.
I rest my forearm on the body and my hand on the cover to play the strings right behind the neck pickup.
Like this I get a very sweet sound and the bass distinguishes itself more than with the more 'common' sound you get by playing over the treble pu.
Off course it looks better too.

And it's great that you get a tone that you love and have a place to rest your hand, Wim. But I can get all the way back to the tailpiece too. So I can get both the sound you like and also the "more common" sound from playing over the pickup. Or I can play over the neck pickup. Or between the pickups. Or over the fretboard...

I like versatility. And I refuse to let any "cool-looking" shiny thing limit my choices.

I don't think this ( http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg ) is ugly at all!

[cassius987]

You'd think this debate would have died by now!

It's called personal preference. Same goes for ashtrays on a vintage Fender. End of story.

[johnallg]

I took my first one off. Played it for months but never liked the look so I put it back on and never looked back. Three of my four 4001/3 basses have horseshoes.

And there we have it. I know some people actually use the pickup cover/horseshoe as a handrest, but to those who keep the thing on because they're all concerned about how the bass looks...I don't get it!

I'm more concerned with how my bass plays, and the sounds that I can get out of my bass by playing right where that cover is than how it looks with or without the cover.

I think too many people concern themselves too much with how their instrument looks.

So there you go John. Now you need to drive to Chicago and beat me up...The ball is in your court!

I get all the tonal nuances I need WITH the cover on (or shoes). The only bass that has a plastic cover is my '75 4001 and it stays. It gets great classic tones, with or without the bridge cap too.

[bosco64]

I need to get a pickup cover for my 4001S. Maybe a black one or make a chrome one black. Sort of give it a reverse Blackstar look.

Joey, I got a spare chrome pickup cover at home. Unfortunately I won't be home for another 10-14 days, but it's yours if you want it. Contact me off-forum if you wish.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

my rickenfaker buddy finally got his 2009 jetglo 4003. i was shocked how thick the neck was...in a "c" shape. he brought it over for me to pull off the rear pickup cover as his playing hand needs to be over the rear pickup area. later he will get the new plastic cavity filling bezel to fit in the rear pickup "trench" . as i curl my pinky around the bottom mute adjust screw i can play with the cover on, but he's unable to do so.