First Ric arriving tomorrow!

Mo Boogs

Mo Boogs

Mar 26, 2014
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#1
I’ve got my first Ric arriving at my door tomorrow! Super pumped. It’s a brand new 4003S Fireglo. I’ve gone through a few threads but haven’t seen much recent stuff about removing the bridge pickup cover. Is that still considered a must-do mod? Do the new 4003S’s have a chromed plastic pickup cover? Only asking because it looks metal in the pics. Also does the bridge still have mutes in them and are they easy and also necessary to remove?

Well either way, super stoked. Can’t wait to rip out some Ric TONE.
 
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#2
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I’ve loved mine. Had it for about 2 years now. Monster player. It does come with the plastic cover over the strings like a normal 4003. I removed mine(as most tend to do)
 

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#3
Congrats! Hope it arrives well. Some don't mind the pickup cover (me) and some do. I haven't watched it, but there is a youtube video on removing the cover - search: rickenbacker bass remove cover. You may want to get a treble bezel cover to fill in the gap (plus it adds a thumb-rest). Check in with this thread, they'll tell you all about it: The Rickenbacker Club Part Twelve
Good luck!
 
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#5
Hurricane Jimmie said:
Congrats. I've played one for several years and have left the pu cover on...I figure it's there for a reason.
I think you'll find that it's a very versatile instrument.
Click to expand...

Ric claims the cover is for shielding, but it's made of plastic. Provide absolutely no practical use whatsoever; more of a style thing. That said, leave it on if it doesn't bother you!

+1 on versatility. There's nothing else 100% like them, true, but that doesn't mean they're a one-trick pony, despite what many here will claim. People will also try to convince you that their Jazz or Precision sounds just like a Ric... I've heard some basses get 80% of the way there, but nothing beats the real deal.
 
#6
Tone Twins 5.JPG Congratulations! As for removing the bridge p/u cover being a "must-do" mod? Well, some people think so; some don't. My '01 Desert Gold 4003 didn't have one on it when I bought it. The original owner took it off; apparently never played the bass; and somehow managed to loose the cover..:rolleyes: My '73 4001 still has it's original cover. Previous owners played and beat the snot out of it without having to take it off, so... you be the judge. The cover bothers lots of people; doesn't bother me. But... I play them the way they were intended to be played originally (I think); between the pickups, with a pick. Play yours for a while first, before you start yanking things off. If it bothers you, then you can take it off - fairly easily. Not quickly - but fairly easily. There are some nice bezel surrounds that will fill the gaping hole that taking the cover off will leave, if you decide it's got to go. Just hang onto it, though. They've gotten pretty expensive...
As for the usefulness of the cover? Well, the pickups are single coils, and wired so there's no humbucking effect if they're both on. You can - and will - get some hum and other noises from them. The cover is - according to Rick's CEO/owner - supposed to provide a little shielding. Since it's a piece of plastic, with a very thin coating of copper, covered with thin chrome, I suppose it does. But, it's just the tiny difference between "some" and "none". It's only real use is to sort of mimic the original "horseshoe" pickup that Rick used to put back there. Which, IMO, it does reasonably well.. Anyway; enjoy your new Rick!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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#7
Good for you! I had two 4001's back in the day. Never took off anything. And they did not have any muting material. If they'd had some I'd have ripped it out immediately. For me, a muting material is a no-go. I want the clean instrument sound, don't want to artificially dampen it or change it or mute anything with its tone. Some like'em--but no way for me. YMMV but that's they way it was/is for me. Sure wish I had them back (sad stories so won't go into them).
You'll have a blast with your Ric. Try to hang on to it forever and keep it sparkling like new.
Maybe I'll have another Ric one day--sure hope so.
 
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#8
'78 P-Bass-2.JPG Yes, they still have the mute. The 2 thumb screws on the tailpiece, in front of the bridge, are what raise/lower it. If you don't want to use it, you don't have to. Just leave it cranked down, and ignore it. Personally, I like the mutes on my 2, and use them. One of the reasons people take the bridge p/u cover off is that it makes palm muting very difficult. With the original horseshoe pickup, you couldn't take anything off. Which is (probably) why Rick put that mute on there. I have the bridge and p/u covers on my P-Bass, too. It's also very hard to palm mute that way; and yes, there's a mute in my bridge cover, too...;)
 
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#20
3845EE2B-6697-4630-9B2A-39F87B14FE57.png
I’m on the Pick Of The Ricks site and they’ve got 3 bezel options. Anyone tried these out? I’d love a thumb rest but not sure whether to get the one that sticks out or the one that’s more of a dip.
 
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