When was horsehoe pickup discontinued on 1960s' 4001 basses?

[DavyR]

When was the 'original real' horseshoe pickup discontinued on the 4001 bass in the 1960s in the USA?
I used to own what I thought was a 1968 Fireglo checkered-trim 4001 bass and do not have the serial number. It did not have a horseshoe, had a toaster neck pickup, the case was black, the neck had white trim, crushed pearl inlays, and I'm 'fairly certain' there was no finger rest for it's hard to tell from the pics that I have.

[jps]

It sounds like you did not have a '68, then. The HS PU was discontinued sometime in '68-69 (possibly); the fact that yours did not have a finger rest definitely dates the bass to early '73 ish period or later.

[DavyR]

It sounds like you did not have a '68, then. The HS PU was discontinued sometime in '68-69 (possibly); the fact that yours did not have a finger rest definitely dates the bass to early '73 ish period or later.

Opps! I forgot to state that it also had a toaster neck pickup and that I'm 'almost certain' that it didn't have a finger rest or the screw holes for one. Not sure about the type of inlays. I have a few decent pics but no scanner as of yet.

[jps]

Did it have walnut headstock wings or the shedua strip down the neck/body?

[DavyR]

Did it have walnut headstock wings or the shedua strip down the neck/body?

It had all the Fireglo finish intact and I never removed the pickguard or headstock logo, so I couldn't say.
(My MD1106 (1973?) Jetglo 4001 has belt buckle worn finish and I can see the strip down the neck/body.)
I will try to get the pics scanned. They may help!?

[FretlessOnly]

Finger tug bars can get lost, but of course there'd have been the two obvious holes for it unless it was a replacement guard. DId the pickguard go all the way from the end of the neck to the treble pickup surround or was there wood showing between the PG and the surround? You wouldn't have neede to remove the PG to see the shedua strip. On a FG, it's visible between the treble pickup and the tailpiece. Early '73s had full width inlays but they were of a different material than used on '72s and earlier. (With the usual exceptions, of course.)

But yes, pictures couldn't hurt.

[jps]

Yeah, you can easily see the shedua strip or the walnut headstock wings through the FG, the bass would have had one or the other, this will help pin down if it were made before or after around late '72-early '73.

[chefothefuture]

It sounds like you did not have a '68, then. The HS PU was discontinued sometime in '68-69 (possibly); the fact that yours did not have a finger rest definitely dates the bass to early '73 ish period or later.

Actually I had a 64 with out a tug bar. Never had one as there
were no screw holes for one....
The horseshoe pup was dropped in late 68, but some might have snuck through
in 69.
I did work on a 72 that had a snot bobbin HS, but that
could have been added.

[jps]

I did work on a 72 that had a snot bobbin HS, but that
could have been added.

What is a snot bobbin? Maybe I don't want to know!

[DavyR]

Ok, as I study the pics I'm now not certain about the type of inlays. BUT, I do see that there is wood exposed between the pickguard and bridge PU surround, and, that there is also the shedua strip visible thru the finish running from the pickguard to the bridge. But, I do not see walnut wings. So, where are we now?

BTW, thanks so much for all the help and feedback in my quest to solve this mystery RIC.

[jps]

Since there is the shedua strip there will be no walnut wings, it is one or the other with a few exceptions, such as the 4002 series that has both the wings and the strip, this strip places your bass no earlier than around late '72 to earlier'73.

[chefothefuture]

I did work on a 72 that had a snot bobbin HS, but that
could have been added.

What is a snot bobbin? Maybe I don't want to know!

The flat stock that they used on the late bobbins discolors in some cases
to a rather phlegmish color reminiscent of something coughed up....

[teeder]

The horseshoe pup was dropped in late 68, but some might have snuck through
in 69.

Definitely a transition period here.

Wint's has a Dec (IIRC) '68 4001 with a Hi-Gain and has/had a Feb '69 with a HS. It's 5 -6 digits after my Feb '69, which has the Hi-gain.

[DavyR]

Since there is the shedua strip there will be no walnut wings, it is one or the other with a few exceptions, such as the 4002 series that has both the wings and the strip, this strip places your bass no earlier than around late '72 to earlier'73.

Thank you! I'm a bit relieved. Not sure WHY I believed it was a '68 all these years. So, a late '72 to early '73 would make the serial number letter an "L or M". It was fantastic sounding IMO as compared to ALL the 4001 basses that I have played since including blowing-away my 1973 mentioned above. It had a ROAR to it! Deep, thick, rich, and loud.

[jps]

Post pics when and if you can.