Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The large magnet was not introduced until late '72/early '73. And it's still around - any 4003 has it. As for the screw polepieces, they were not discontinued until roughly mid-1973. Now, here's the final question: were they round or flat slot head at the time they were discontinued?

Round ....

Wrong answer.

Okay, one last question: my November '70 21 fret 4001 sports an unsprayed treble high-gain having an aluminum mount plate, a small magnet and round slot head screws for polepieces. True or false?

I didn't think there were ever any flat head screws used in the rear pickups.

And yes I think you do have the pickup you describe ...

Correct answer.
As for whether flat head screws were ever used as polepieces on the 1st version high-gains, the answer is "yes": from sometime during 1971, I believe, until said version was discontinued in 1973.

Okay, Jim, the Grover tuner is yours.

Well thank you kind sir !!!

Notwithstanding the prize, this has been a really enjoyable delve into the minutiae of the 4001, we should do this more often, it's a great way to add to your store of knowledge on Ric history.

So the flat head screws were introduced about the same time as the original horseshoe was being phased out, very interesting !!!

Correction: small round head screws equipped the early 1st version of the 4001 treble high-gain - maybe in late '68 - which replaced the original HS pickup.

It was alot of fun... and I'll readily admit that my knowledge PALES in comparison to you Rickencyclopedias!

Ok, my understanding of the passing of the original horseshoe pickup was mid-late 69, not late 68. In fact may have been as late as early 70.

I love this stuff !!!!

"The early 1st version of the 4001 treble high-gain - maybe in late '68 - which replaced the original HS pickup"

An addendum here as I hope to receive a bass soon that is Feb '69 with an original HS. This is the latest bass I have seen that has an original HS. Before this example it was JR's old Sept '68.

I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of this 4001, Andy. Just curious: is it Jetglo?

Here's the high gain on my April 73 Burg-

Thanks for the information Andrew, look forward to seeing the pics of your new baby when she arrives.

No Sergio, a very heavily checked mojo MG.

I throw a pic up later...

Here's the high gain on my May 73, currently torn down for refin-