It looks to be genuine magnetic from what I can tell from the pics. The aluminum baseplate is a good indication that it's of an early vintage. I doubt if any reissue HS PUs (non-magnetic) were made at RIC in black. See if something metal sticks to it.
I don't know but I'll ask. 4 poles would mean it is a bass pup for sure, right? And I will ask about the magnetic issue.
BTW, Mark. I left my office B4 receiving your response to my harness proposal (yes, that's me). I am on the computer now if you want to resend it to [email protected]
I took plenty of 1.25 inch shoes offa steels. I believe the 1.5 inch ones are older(30's 40's) and they actually used leftover lapsteel shoes when they were making the original basses.
I can't really tell...that might be my old pickup. my bass looks like this now...
There are a few places that do chrome for a reasonable rate, especially if you have a few items and can do it in bulk. $400 for a horseshoe PU of any finish is a pretty darn good price.