Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anyone experienced any difference in sound
when removing the bridge pickupcover?
I am aware that the new ricks have plastic pickupcovers instead of metal ones.
I am just curious if rickenbacker installes these for any other reason than cosmetics,

Thanks,

Marcus.

It may be worth trying it both ways 'cause you cant play directly over the pickup to get whatever tonal quality is there while it's attatched. The cover is still on my '79 4001 but there are a lot of players who have removed it out of personal preference or they bought their basses with the covers removed already....

I think they sound best when played directly above the treble pickup. I have also found that the later ('80s and beyond?) models have a rather uncomfortable pointy bit on the surround, just above the E-string. My fingers usually gravitate toward a position that results in their hitting this bit when they come off the E string. Anybody else have this trouble? Just curious.

I still have the pickup cover on my 72 4001. I also have a 88 4001v63 that i've left the horseshoe pickup cover on as well. I do not play with a pick, just my fingers. I've never had a problem anchoring my right hand somewhere along the body or neck to get good playing action. I tend to play with my thumb anchored against the side of the bottom of the neck with my fingers playing just behind the toaster pickup, with both pickups on, so the pickup cover never gets in my way.
My understanding is that the pickup cover is strickly cosmetic and non functional. But I sure love the way it looks on a Ric bass.
Cheers

Bassman, does your'72 have a horseshoe pickup
or the later style pickup??? I'm curious 'cause they were doing different stuff around that time..

Yeah "that guy" I also hate that pointy bit on the metal plate above the E string. It is the main reason why I re-installed the pickup cover.
Besides the fact it also looks better that way.
I find it mostly anoying to have the pickup cover installed when you play pick-style bass.
Which I now don't, not on the 4003 anyway.
Anyone have any experiance with the humbucker replacement for the bridge pickup by the way?

Thanks,

Marcus

Leftybass, No my 72 does not have a horseshoe in it. The horseshoe pick-up was discontinued in 1970 and the newer style replaced it, if my memory is correct. However, my bass does have all of the other 60's features like checkered binding, toaster neck pick-up, Grover tuners, 60's tailpiece etc. It's dark burgundyglo.
The real change to the 4001 came in the summer of 1973. That's when RIC introduced the updated version of the 4001 and eliminated all of the 60's features.
Cheers,