Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Like the majority of this forum's bassists I have been a big fan of the treble pickup bezels sold by Tubeampology, designed to fill in the "gap" after taking the cover off of a 4003's treble pickup surround. Traditionally these have been black plastic, which maintains a similar look to the gap. But I remember wondering whether it wouldn't look even better if they were chrome, and apparently Frank Pistorio had the same idea! Just the other day he messaged me to see if I'd try a couple of his new models out -- shaped the same as the old bezels, but metal plated (nickel and copper) with a top coat of chrome. I gave him my address and they arrived in a jiff.

The pics I have attached say it all. These things look super classy! If the originals were good, these are great. As you can see, I use a "neck pickup" in the bridge position (actually it's a 4002 pickup) so the fit is tighter than usual, but it works. I thought the chrome might feel slippery compared to the regular black plastic, but I don't notice a difference to the touch. The blend of the different chrome parts is really good and I think it really completes the look. It kind of reminds me of the iPhone -- I didn't know I needed one before, but now that I have one I know that I do.

I have to thank Frank for sharing these with me. They are fantastic... Furthermore, I used to shield them on the bottom, but (I will confirm this when I have access to a multimeter again) I believe these are fully shielded to begin with an will be in common ground with the 4003 circuit through the direct contact with the metal surround.

Ooh, I like those!

Those are very nice! I may have to get one,as the "metal" is starting to flake on my 4000's cover.

He's not making a whole bunch of these, limited edition, so you'd better snatch them up while you can.

cjj wrote:Ooh, I like those!

Nice, very cool!

These look awesome, any word on a run of 4001 style? My '85 4003 has the old style straight surround...

Do they work with the standard bridge pip, not the "neck" pickup you used?

Hi everyone,
These are specifically designed to work with the stock Hi-Gains. Also, they are only being made for the 4003 series, 100 for each version, Deluxe, Cove, and Standard, so 300 total.
However,they will fit on a 4001 with the straight chrome surround, the aesthetics will be a bit different because the 4003 bezel steps down in the center where the 4001 bezels follows the straight across geometry of the 4001 chrome surround.
Also, the price includes U.S. shipping via USPS Priority mail.

Looks Great! With the black pickguard, think about how that would look with a set of light gauge LaBella black tapes. Mmmm in both tone and aesthetics. But you know I am prejudiced!

Gilmourisgod wrote:Do they work with the standard bridge pip, not the "neck" pickup you used?

Yes, as I said, the neck pickup is a bit oversized for the application so it cannot go completely through like a typical bridge Hi-Gain. But it works in a pinch.

iiipopes wrote:Looks Great! With the black pickguard, think about how that would look with a set of light gauge LaBella black tapes. Mmmm in both tone and aesthetics. But you know I am prejudiced!

Ooh, that would look great! I am definitely going to try some...

Sweet georgia brown,,,I'm glad I held off on the black one. I'll need to get one for mine

DR strings has some cool colored/coated string options if you wanted black in a round wound, Black beauties. They also have red and blue versions.
I used the Black Beauties before, they're nice, similar to the High Beams but with a bit more mids and a little less highs.

http://www.drstrings.com/#!regular_coated/c1xjd

I installed one on my '09 4003 MG. I went with the standard, don't really any place for my thumb based on how I play. I did have the original black one with the thumb rest, but never rested my thumb there anyway. Really finishes the look!

Is there something different that needs to be done with the ground wire on these, or am I thinking of something else?

IIRC it still goes under the surround.