Chloe Zhang
The Rickenbacker 4003S pickup cover is made of plastic, a material Rickenbacker has used since the 1970s when they stopped using horseshoe pickups. The plastic cover is chrome-plated to replicate the look of the original horseshoe pickup design. Some people choose to remove the cover, as it can get in the way when playing, but others keep it on for aesthetic reasons. While some sources claim that the cover acts as a shield against electromagnetic interference, others dispute this, stating that it is purely decorative. Ultimately, the decision to keep or remove the pickup cover comes down to personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of removing the cover | Very easy |
| Purpose of the cover | To replicate the look of the original horseshoe pickup |
| Material | Plastic coated with chrome |
| Layer under chrome | Copper |
| Conductivity | Electrically conductive |
| Hum | Possible increase in hum after removing the cover |
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What You'll Learn
The Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover is plastic to replicate the look of the original horseshoe pickup
The Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover is made of plastic, a material that has been used for this purpose since the 1970s. Before that, Rickenbacker used horseshoe pickups with two large chrome magnets that wrapped over the strings. When the company switched to modern-style pickups, they introduced the plastic cover to replicate the look of the original horseshoe design. This decision was likely influenced by the desire to retain the aesthetic appeal of the earlier pickups, which had become iconic.
The plastic cover on the Rickenbacker 4003 has been a topic of discussion and debate among musicians and enthusiasts. Some people choose to remove the cover, while others prefer to keep it on. Those who remove it often do so because they find it gets in the way of their playing style or because they prefer the look of the pickup without the cover. However, removing the cover may result in increased hum, as the cover does provide some electromagnetic shielding.
While some may view the plastic cover as purely aesthetic, others, including Rickenbacker CEO John Hall, argue that it serves a functional purpose beyond just looks. Hall has stated that the plastic is a "hi-tech" material, specially plated to act as a shield against RF and "stray cosmic rays." This claim is met with some scepticism by other Rickenbacker users, who believe the cover's primary purpose is indeed to replicate the horseshoe pickup design.
The plastic cover on the Rickenbacker 4003 is often chrome-plated, giving it a metallic appearance. This chrome finish is not just decorative but also functional, as it is electrically conductive and provides additional electromagnetic screening. This conductive property of the chrome plating contributes to the overall shielding effect, supporting Hall's assertion that the cover is more than just an aesthetic choice.
In conclusion, the Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover is made of plastic to replicate the iconic look of the original horseshoe pickup. While opinions vary on the functional significance of the cover, it is clear that its presence is a defining characteristic of the Rickenbacker 4003, contributing to both its visual appeal and, potentially, its electromagnetic shielding capabilities.
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The plastic pickup cover is chrome-plated
The Rickenbacker 4003S pickup cover is made of plastic. The plastic is chrome-plated, and there is a layer of copper under the chrome plating. This plating is electrically conductive and provides electromagnetic screening.
The plastic pickup cover is designed to replicate the look of the original horseshoe pickup. The Rickenbacker 4003S pickup cover has been plastic since the 1970s when the company stopped using horseshoe pickups. The horseshoe pickups had two large chrome magnets that wrapped around the strings. When Rickenbacker switched to modern-style pickups, they added the plastic cover to replicate the look of the horseshoes.
Some people choose to remove the pickup cover, as they find it annoying or believe it is only for aesthetic purposes. However, others keep the cover on as they like the look, and it doesn't get in their way. Additionally, removing the cover may cause additional hum, as the cover provides extra shielding.
While some people believe that the cover is purely decorative, others, including Rickenbacker's CEO John Hall, argue that it acts as an RF/stray cosmic ray shield. Hall claims that the plastic is "hi-tech" and "specially plated with trick stuff."
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Removing the pickup cover is easy
Removing the pickup cover from a Rickenbacker 4003 is a straightforward process. The first step is to remove the strings from the instrument. Once the strings are removed, you can proceed to unscrew the four mounting screws that secure the pickup in place. With the screws removed, you can gently pull the entire assembly out of its cavity. It is recommended to pay attention to how the parts are arranged to facilitate easy reassembly.
The next step is to unscrew and remove the two height adjustment screws. This part requires caution as the springs may become loose, so it's important to keep track of them. After removing the height adjustment screws, you can take out the pickup cover. Finally, you can reassemble the pickup. It's worth noting that removing the cover may result in some additional hum since it provides extra shielding. However, many people who have removed the cover have not experienced any noticeable noise increase.
The Rickenbacker 4003's plastic pickup cover has been a topic of discussion among owners, with some opting to remove it for aesthetic or functional reasons. The process of removing the cover is generally agreed to be simple, with some owners choosing to leave the hole exposed or install a treble bezel after removal. While the cover is designed to provide electromagnetic screening, it is not essential for the instrument's functionality, and removing it can offer a different playing experience, especially for those who prefer to pick in front of the rear pickup.
While removing the pickup cover is relatively easy, it's important to exercise caution to avoid damaging the instrument. Some owners have shared their experiences and offered advice on the process, emphasising the importance of understanding the assembly for successful reassembly. Overall, the removal of the Rickenbacker 4003's pickup cover is a straightforward task that allows for personalisation and a slight change in the playing experience.
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The cover provides extra shielding, reducing hum
The Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover is made of plastic, and it has been since the 1970s. Before this, Rickenbacker used horseshoe pickups with two large chrome magnets that wrapped over the strings. When the company switched to modern-style pickups, they added the plastic cover to replicate the look of the horseshoes. While some people believe that the cover is purely aesthetic, others argue that it provides extra shielding, reducing hum.
According to the Rickenbacker website, removing the cover may result in additional hum because the cover acts as a shield. Some users have reported experiencing more hum after removing the cover, while others have not noticed any difference. It is worth noting that the cover is coated with chrome, and according to RIC's CEO, John Hall, the plastic is plated with "trick stuff" that acts as an RF and stray cosmic ray shield. However, some users remain sceptical of these claims, believing that the cover is primarily for looks.
The chrome finish on the plastic pickup cover is electrically conductive and provides electromagnetic screening. This means that it can help to reduce interference and improve the signal quality. Additionally, the factory claims that there is a layer of copper under the chrome, further enhancing the shielding properties. While some users have reported that the cover gets in the way or affects their playing style, others have left it on for functional or aesthetic reasons.
While there are mixed opinions on whether the Rickenbacker 4003 pickup cover provides extra shielding and reduces hum, it is clear that it has a significant impact on the instrument's aesthetics and functionality. Some users prefer to remove the cover to improve their playing experience, while others appreciate its contribution to the overall design of the bass. Ultimately, the decision to keep or remove the cover depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the musician.
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Some people prefer to remove the cover for comfort and aesthetic reasons
The Rickenbacker 4003S pickup cover is made of plastic, specifically chrome-plated plastic. The use of plastic for the pickup cover is likely due to the switch from horseshoe pickups to modern-style pickups, with the plastic cover added to replicate the look of the horseshoes. While some people keep the cover for aesthetic reasons or because it doesn't get in their way, others prefer to remove it.
Some people prefer to remove the Rickenbacker 4003S pickup cover for comfort and aesthetic reasons. One reason for removal is that the cover can get in the way, especially for those who use a pick. Removing the cover allows for more playing variety, as it enables playing over either pickup with fingers. Additionally, some people may not like the look of the cover and prefer the appearance of their Rickenbacker without it.
The process of removing the pickup cover is relatively easy and involves unscrewing the mounting screws and height adjustment screws. However, it is important to note that removing the cover may result in additional hum, as it does provide some shielding. Those who remove the cover may also need to purchase a treble bezel or pickup surround to fill the gap left behind.
While some people prefer the look and feel of the Rickenbacker 4003S without the pickup cover, others choose to keep it. Ultimately, the decision to remove or keep the cover comes down to personal preference and playing style. Some people find that the cover doesn't get in their way, and they like the way it looks on their instrument. Additionally, Rickenbacker's CEO, John Hall, has stated that the plastic cover acts as a shield against RF and "stray cosmic rays." However, some people are sceptical of this claim and believe that the cover is primarily for aesthetic purposes.
In summary, some people prefer to remove the Rickenbacker 4003S pickup cover for comfort and aesthetic reasons. Removing the cover can provide more playing flexibility and a preferred visual aesthetic. However, it may also result in additional hum due to the loss of shielding. The decision to remove or keep the cover is a matter of individual preference, and some people choose to keep it for functional or visual reasons.
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Frequently asked questions
The pickup cover has been plastic since the 1970s when they stopped using horseshoe pickups. The plastic cover replicates the look of the horseshoes, which were two big chrome magnets that wrapped around the strings.
While the plastic cover does mimic the look of the original horseshoe pickup, it is not just decorative. The chrome finish on the plastic pickup cover is electrically conductive and provides electromagnetic screening. Rickenbacker's CEO, John Hall, has also stated that the plastic is hi-tech and acts as an RF/stray cosmic ray shield.
Yes, it is possible to remove the pickup cover without too much trouble. However, some people choose to keep it on as it doesn't get in their way, and they like the look of it. Removing the cover may result in some additional hum, as it does provide extra shielding.
