I had a ‘74 4000 for close to 20 years, and never once removed the pickup cover. It was one of the low profile covers that didn’t move.
I found it very useful as a palm rest when I was pick playing nearer the neck. My normal playing spot was between the pickup and the bridge, and the bridges’mute assembly was much more of a hindrance than the pickup cover. Thank goodness for Hipshot bridges.
Once I got my first 4004, the traditional design 4000/1/3 were no longer as appealing.
I get it that a lot of people get rid of the pickup cover, but I make use of it. A lot of times I play above the neck PUP on my 4003 basses (I have 4) with my thumb braced against the side of the neck just at the heel.
The Hi-gain pickups on 4001 series are different in that the neck pickup has a smaller rubber magnet and late 1960’s (?)/early 1970’s bridge pickups have a larger rubber magnet, two open holes on top and pickup mounted on aluminum stock instead of moulded black plastic.
Good article Andy! Yeah the post horseshoe got in the way and was virtually unplayable! I use the treble bezel and it’s very effective, but changing the complete pickup design, now that would be sacrilegious!
I had a ‘74 4000 for close to 20 years, and never once removed the pickup cover. It was one of the low profile covers that didn’t move.
I found it very useful as a palm rest when I was pick playing nearer the neck. My normal playing spot was between the pickup and the bridge, and the bridges’mute assembly was much more of a hindrance than the pickup cover. Thank goodness for Hipshot bridges.
Once I got my first 4004, the traditional design 4000/1/3 were no longer as appealing.
I get it that a lot of people get rid of the pickup cover, but I make use of it. A lot of times I play above the neck PUP on my 4003 basses (I have 4) with my thumb braced against the side of the neck just at the heel.
The Hi-gain pickups on 4001 series are different in that the neck pickup has a smaller rubber magnet and late 1960’s (?)/early 1970’s bridge pickups have a larger rubber magnet, two open holes on top and pickup mounted on aluminum stock instead of moulded black plastic.
Good article Andy! Yeah the post horseshoe got in the way and was virtually unplayable! I use the treble bezel and it’s very effective, but changing the complete pickup design, now that would be sacrilegious!