Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi from the UK,
I've finally got round to removing the treble pickup cover from my 4003, purely because thats exactly where I like to play. To cover up the big ugly hole I fitted a treble bezel from Tubeampology and I am impressed with the look and the fit. I would consider £45 a little expensive for a small piece of plastic (albeit chrome plated) but the Rickenbacker pickup cover is also plastic and that is on a hand assembled quality bass. Has anyone else fitted one of these and have you any positive/negative comments?

These are actually only $36.00 here in the US, so anything over that was shipping or import duties. That said, I like these, and find them well made. I have a chrome plated one on my 4004Cii Ruby custom bass.

I've ordered lots of these over the years, always with good results.

And Frank is a super-nice guy to deal with. Perhaps you can order directly from him?

Got my Deluxe Chrome bezel from POTR for US$39.

I got the chromed bezel that has the thumb piece that sticks out I think it's the deluxe but not sure what it's called. I really like it a lot and the spacing seems perfect so when you're playing on the low Estring it feels like your finger's just moving to another string after you pluck. Easy to install. But I don't know if moving the ground lug to the position the designer recommends is best. I might try it directly contacting the surround for more direct contact and see if things get quieter. I think the bass is a tiny bit noisier without the factory cover. But not noisy enough to warrant putting it back on. I really like the bezel so I'm keeping it on.

I bought a 2016 Ruby Red Metallic 4003 back in Sept. of 2016,...within a few weeks of ownership, I had a chrome treble bezel on it. I use a pick, but I got the one with a thumb rest, just in case I decide to start playing bass "properly". I tried playing it with the stock pickup cover, but I found that the ideal place for me do my picking was just in front the treble pickup, so the pickup cover had to go. I love the treble bezel, pricey for a piece of plastic, but it makes my bass look like it was born that way.

A 4003 that came with a thumb rest? I've never seen nor heard of such a thing.

Isaac wrote:A 4003 that came with a thumb rest? I've never seen nor heard of such a thing.

I probably didn't convey that properly, within a few weeks of ownership, I put a chrome treble bezel on it. It would be great to have the option of ordering a 4003 with a bezel.

So, something like this, then: http://www.tubeampology.com/2501.html

Isaac wrote:So, something like this, then: http://www.tubeampology.com/2501.html

I have one in my 4001 and love it.

Im finally getting around to ordering one of these,, do they still make the black ones? All I can find is the chrome version.