Strange McCartney pickup mod

[jdogric12]

What's going on with his bridge pickup here? If it was a lighting thing hiding the pole magnets, I'd think the strings would be equally as black. Did he install some other pickup in the 80's?

(Picture from 01:28 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBsSUptatMw)

You can see the little pole magnets right behind the surround.
But what's more: it seems to bend off his strings, take a close look!
The E string looks like it's going to the slot of the A on the tailpiece.

And does it matter anyway because isn't the pickup switch on the neck pickup?

Toward the floor is the bridge pickup, normally. Is this a Macca anomaly I'm unaware of?

[jps]

It has been debated and conjectured that the harness in Macca's bass is wired like a normal righthand one, if so, then the neck pickup would be selected with the switch set downward. I don't think anyone on the forum has gotten around to asking Paul if that is so.

[jdogric12]

I learn wonderful new things every day!

[jps]

I learn wonderful new things every day!

Did you call Paul?