I am well aware of all that , I have been playing Rickenbacker for over 40 years and owned over 40 of them, The modern Horseshoe still sounds amazing it hotter has more bark than the high gain on standard 4003's , I personally love the sound, after all I am designing the sound for me not someone else's choices, The Rickenbacker 00031 Toaster sounds fantastic, sounds great on its own , I love the sound the feel and look of my 4003s . I don't need any other pickups. Could not be happier with it.