Question:

yesterday I was in a music store and saw a really nice looking rick bass..but with an unusual feature I’ve never seen before: the bass had a metal bar (chromed..about an inch wide and not very thick) spanning the strings over the pickups..didn’t appear to be anything more to it I didn’t think to look at the model number on the bass but I’m not really interested in buying it, the bar just sparked my curiosity sooo..what is it? for me personally it seems like it would be a nuisance (unless of course it served some important purpose which I would be willing to adjust my playing to have) because I pluck and slap in that general area

Response:

On the older (vintage) Rick basses, there was a horseshoe pickup in the bridge location, and the newer ones have the chrome pickup cover you described over the bridge pickup.  I think most players prefer to remove this cover, as it is rather a nuisance as you said.

Response:

it’s a thing the rick designers used to reduce pickup hum….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On the older (vintage) Rick basses, there was a horseshoe pickup in the > bridge location, and the newer ones have the chrome pickup cover you > described over the bridge pickup.  I think most players prefer to remove > this cover, as it is rather a nuisance as you said.

Response:

The newer 4003 has the pickup cover, and the 4001 v63 has the horseshoe.  I find it convenient to rest my hand against when picking over the bridge pickup, and resting my thumb on when plucking near the tailpiece. It’s all a matter of personal preference.  Some RIC players remove the cover, some leave it on.  Chris Squire leaves his on, and plays with a pick near the tailpiece. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >On the older (vintage) Rick basses, there was a horseshoe pickup in the >bridge location, and the newer ones have the chrome pickup cover you >described over the bridge pickup.  I think most players prefer to remove >this cover, as it is rather a nuisance as you said.

Response: