Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Is it made of metal or plastic?

The pickup cover is metal the pickguard is plastic.

Then I have bought a fake pickup cover in plastic then? ............. Damn! Anyone have a metal one to sell me? Does it have any effect on the sound? Or what is it's effect? Protection?

Not so fast.
That pickup cover is plastic. I'm told that the very first treble p.u. covers made after the horseshoe p.u. was discontinued (late 60's) were indeed made out of metal. It's very unlikely that you'll come across one of these now, though.
Does it affect the sound of the pickup? No. It's provided mainly for resting your right hand on. It also assists in shielding the pickup against noise. And yes, it also protects the pickup, obviously.

OK, then it's cool. Thanks man!

it is a hand rest and an ash tray ... and they made a few out of metal ... but that was over 30 years ago ...

It is THE single most changed part on a Ric ... pretty much every player removes the damn thing ...

When I got my '74 4001 it didn't have one (natch). When I bought my new 4003 I was worried about it...I wasn't sure if it would get in my way. But as a pick player it's perfect! Gives me a great, comfortable place to rest my hand.
Plus, they just look cooler with them on!

When I got my 4001 it didn't have one and I wanted to get one cos I loved the look of it, but didn't know where to get one...this was about 18 years ago before the power of the internet!

I just got a 4003 and thought ...finally got a Ricky with a nice shiny pickup cover ...looks great.......within a week the pickup cover is off and put away for safekeeping!

Having played for so long without one I've never had the need to use it as a rest and although it does look rather cool, I sometimes like to play right over the treble pickup, so it had to go.

I took my on yesterday, so I haven't played with it yet. But I have there only because of the looks!

When I got my '73 4001 the cover was missing. I have played it that way for almost a year, but thanks to Bob Young my 4001 is complete now. Thanks again Bob!

Also I made a new pickgaurd with a VVT arrangement and a switch to select between the .0047 cap or a piece of wire. After using this setup for a few months I decided I like the sound better without the cap so yesterday I put the old pickgaurd with the original electronics back on and shunted the cap with a piece of wire. This way if I want to go back to the capped sound I just have to remove the wire and not have to resolder the cap back in.

Does anyone find that the spacing between the treble pick up and the guard too little ?

I felt I had to add washers just to getthat extra bit space between strings and pick up, without hitting the cover.

there should be 2 spacers where the height adjustment screws attach to the base. in some bases there is a raised boss. same function. check for these.

Both my 4003's have neither , just the cover straight onto the PU.

This doesn't sound right. Go to the Rick website and find the schematic for the pickup. Is it possible that your pickup is not stock?

Yeah the cover is supposed to go between the springs and the spacers and move up and down with the pickup. I think the newer ones all have the little raised boss.
Your welcome Jeffrey, I forgot who I sent it to, haha! Another one will be heading to Portugal next week.