Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

However the plate that the pickup is mounted in is in fact metal!

Mark,
I am the original owner of a '73 4001 and I can tell you it came with a METAL bridge pickup cover(it has never been removed). All of the ones I saw at that time had metal pickup covers. I realize that you worked at the factory but I am SURE of this, because I remember that I noticed the plastic covers when they started coming out at about the same time that the raised lettered truss rod covers came out. Seems like that was about '74 or so... I have friends that also have owned ricks since that time and they agree with me so I'm sure I'm not getting alzheimers or anything... I was REALLY into Ricks at that time so I'm sure this is not something I would forget about. Besides, I had no trouble finding a couple of them at guitar shows a few years ago. I don't mean any disrespect for your knowledge, and please don't ban my basses from your workshop, but I'm SURE about this!

Thanks,
Gene S.

The treble pickup cover was indeed metal for a number of years. Sorry, I don't recall precisely when the switch was made either but I'd agree with the mid 70's time frame.

The switch to plastic was mainly for aesthetic reasons. Putting brass against steel, combined with perspiration, produced some wonderful corrosion effects.

The shielding of the plastic is just as good too, as it has always been underplated with copper before the chrome top coat.

(On a tangent from Gene's post)- When DID the truss rod covers switch to the raised lettering? I've got a May '75 4001 with the "old kind" (flat or lettered from behind).