Could possibly be one of the early ones, and I'm quite sure they're caps. And removing them wouldn't ba a problem at all. I have a tweezer soldering iron...

I tried my spare (with the caps) and to me it seemed to be reduced slightly with the spare...maybe...

When I get the time, I'll try to use another ground for the Empeg. Right now I'm using the car's ISO-connector.

Stig