1968 4001

[wints]

At the end of the day, it's still about the function of the instrument. If you can keep it stock and that works, that's cool, but if you need to mod, then so be it. I've played quite a few stock 4001 basses that were horrible from this perspective, and if I didn't know better, one would never pick up a Ric again.

The '68 I looked at is so light, and coupled with the active p/ups, gives a much fuller bass timbre than a stock 4001 from this period. A totally different animal...but, boy it really works!

[86kubicki]

So here's the thing.....
This pickup had already been modified by the time I bought this bass. The horseshoes were gone, pole magnets had been installed under the bobbin to produce a signal and the pickup was quite dirty. I am no electronics expert so I felt the best person to get this pickup back into peak condition would be Jason Lollar. In my conversations with him, he will certainly be doing more than simply installing a set of his horseshoes.
And here's another thing...
If for whatever reason down the road I find a set of original horseshoes, I can install them. My priority right now is to get the pickup restored and working so I can do the important thing which is PLAY THE BASS!

[henry5]

Steve, that's kind of my approach with a couple of things on my bass. Initially I'll be trying a Hipshot bridge, because it would be a long while before I can afford an original tailpiece even if I can find one. It seems pointless to pay through the nose for a reissue, far more expensive than the Hipshot, if it's going to be replaced anyway. Having said that, if I like the Hipshot, it'll likely stay. It may be the same with pickups too.

[jps]

So here's the thing.....
This pickup had already been modified by the time I bought this bass. The horseshoes were gone, pole magnets had been installed under the bobbin to produce a signal and the pickup was quite dirty. I am no electronics expert so I felt the best person to get this pickup back into peak condition would be Jason Lollar. In my conversations with him, he will certainly be doing more than simply installing a set of his horseshoes.
And here's another thing...
If for whatever reason down the road I find a set of original horseshoes, I can install them. My priority right now is to get the pickup restored and working so I can do the important thing which is PLAY THE BASS!

I agree! Best plan, Steve.