Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all,
I noticed that my A string is a little too close to this horseshoe piece that goes over the pickup. Question: Is there an easy fix? Is this piece necessary to give it the best and fullest sound? I notice several have taken theirs off.
Thanks in advance
Jack

You won't hear any difference in sound if you remove the pickup cover. The pickup cover does help shield the pickup from noise to some degree.
If you don't feel the cover is in you way and you like the looks of it, just raise the pickup a little by turning the large screws on both sides of the pickup, clockwise. This will raise the whole internal assembly and then there will be more clearance between the string and the cover. You can raise the pickup to a height that's just before the point that you hear unwanted distortion or clicking noises when playing through an amp. You'll also get the most output from the pickup that way.

rickenbrother wrote:You won't hear any difference in sound if you remove the pickup cover. The pickup cover does help shield the pickup from noise to some degree.
If you don't feel the cover is in you way and you like the looks of it, just raise the pickup a little by turning the large screws on both sides of the pickup, clockwise. This will raise the whole internal assembly and then there will be more clearance between the string and the cover. You can raise the pickup to a height that's just before the point that you hear unwanted distortion or clicking noises when playing through an amp. You'll also get the most output from the pickup that way.

Thanks! I just figured it out and it works great!

rickenbrother wrote:The pickup cover does help shield the pickup from noise to some degree.

Really? Even if it's plastic?

The cover is copper plated with the chrome on top of that, so yes, it does provide some shielding.

I just checked mine, and it is indeed electrically conductive (on the surface)! I didn't realize it was coated. Neat!

So...Why doesn't the neck pickup have a cover over it then?

The coil is shielded by the chrome casing on the neck hi-gain.

Hmmmm...So if I put a chrome neck surround on my bridge hi-gain, my Rick would be more quiet?

That's food for thought! I could have it powder coated black...