4001 Mounting plate diffences?

brett_bottomley · Post by **brett_bottomley** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:22 pm

A mounting plate on ebay from a 70s 4001 says this:

"Please note, this plate does NOT have the top edges of the pickup cutout area grooved out where the strings pass over them like new plates do to accomodate lowering the strings. If your bass is from the 70's or even maybe the early 80's this plate should work fine and is what your bass came with originally, but if it's more recent or from the 60's this plate probably won't work."

Is there a difference in the mounting plates on the basses from the 70s and later models?

Brett

brett_bottomley · Post by **brett_bottomley** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:33 pm

Okay I checked out Mike Parks page and I see the difference. The new ones are scooped out. I need a replacement on my 81 will the old model facilitate low action or do I need the newer one?

Brett

baltimucho · Post by **baltimucho** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:24 pm

Are the new ones "scooped?"

My '84 isn't and my action is so low that the strings do hit the edge of the surround when I pluck real hard. Odd?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:46 am

I have an 81 4003 and it has the old style. I'm not sure when they reintroduced the scooped ones but it was later than the mid 80's I'm pretty sure. Sometimes when the strings are close to the treble ring you can fix that by straightening the neck more with a corresponding increase in your action. Some of the older 4003's and 4001's necks were lower (thinner) in relation to the body than others.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:48 am

I had a 91 and it was scooped, had two 84's and neither were scooped. All 70's I have ever seen were not scooped.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:56 am

My '73 4001 has the scooped pickup surround, but I'm pretty sure it was replaced by a newer one at some point as my other '73 and '78 4001's have the "non-scooped" style. I actually prefer playing with the "non-scooped" since I remove the cover and anchor my thumb on the treble pickup - I find the scooped surround a bit more restricting for my thumb and sharper as well.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:03 am

I have four 4001's from 1976 to 1980, all are not scooped. I also have a July 1987 4003S that is not scooped. All are original.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:18 am

The scoop/recess came back in 1986.

Here's an '85.

Here's my '86 Shadow.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:55 am

I would be willing to bet like most things Ric they were gradually phased in which would explain Paul's Shadow and Jeff's 4003S.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:13 am

I agree with Bob. My July 1987 4003S has chrome trim. Maybe the scooped black trim pickup rings were starting to be used while RIC still had a lot of un-scooped chrome rings in inventory to use up.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:11 am

Totally agreed, Bob and Jeff.
We may take it that '86~'87 is the "transition" period for the return of the scoop.

henny · Post by **henny** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:22 am

Uh..

my 83' 4003 has scoops.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:38 am

Nice example, Henny.
Is the surround original to your '83? Could it be likely that a Seymour Duncan PU's+New Surround mod was done to her? Is that black pickguard original to her too? Is it a 1-piece or 2-piece guard? Sorry for asking these questions. Just curious...

henny · Post by **henny** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:46 am

All-original chrome.

I know for a fact when she had dreadful Sey-Duncs fitted eveything stayed the same.

The pickguard I changed later on. It looks daft without a black TRC, but I can't be bothered to change it back just yet.

Yes - the original is a 2-piece white.

I hardly play her anyway, always the Cii or Fenbder 76 P.

Had hundreds and hundreds of hours of playing, as you can see.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:59 am

I think Henny's lying. I saw him touch his nose!