Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Well, here's a theory about the fwd v reversed bridge pickup surrounds that I'll pull out of my hat:

When RIC decided to change the style of the surround and eliminate the flanged tail, they cut the new pieces from the same stock that they used for the flanged surrounds. This stock already had the screw holes in place before the shape was cut. So when they created the new design, it was with the screw holes flipped opposite of where they were on the flanged pieces. (Who knows if this was intentional or accidental...) It's likely that the basses with surrounds put on BACKWARDS from the factory were originally drilled for a flanged surround, but unfortunately RIC ran out of those before they quit drilling for them. That's probably why most basses with backwards surrounds were made in '68-'69 - when RIC was phasing out the flanges pieces. They obviously didn't want to re-drill and add 4 more holes, so PRESTO! You get a special Limited Edition Deluxe Reverse Surround!

I get this idea by comparing my '64 to the '68. The '64 with the flanged surround has the screw holes exactly opposite of where they are on the '68.

Nice one, Tony! It couldn't have gone to a better guy!

OK, this is going to sound pretty silly, but what do you guys mean by backwards surround?
All the picks I see show them going the right way.
Just the "long" lip was shortened and the PG no longer touches...
What am I missing (other than a few screws.....)?

Also-
Theory- On some early 4001's, the truss rod channels are cut all the way to the treble pup cavity; I had assumed that the guard joining the flange was to cover this.
One of my '69s was this way. I can not recall if my '65 was or not....

Here's a pic of that one (all the parts on...). Interesting as I had always thought this bass had an earlier neck carve at the nut, and it's like yours Tony.
Now I really wish I still had it.....

leftybass wrote:

wints wrote:

What a great bass.

+1.

Andy, do you know if there is any difference between this case & a '64 Fender case...the ones with no Fender logo?

I'll have to find some pics & compare.

mgauction wrote:Nice one, Tony! It couldn't have gone to a better guy!

Aw shucks, thank you Mike!

chefothefuture wrote:OK, this is going to sound pretty silly, but what do you guys mean by backwards surround?
All the picks I see show them going the right way.
Just the "long" lip was shortened and the PG no longer touches...
What am I missing (other than a few screws.....)?

John, here is a pic of my lefty '69 with a reverse-mounted surround (around a V63 shoe). Not original to the bass but this is the style it more than likely had when new----it is the only way it can fit the screw holes. It looks as though the holes were drilled opposite of what you normally find.

walker makes sense for once !!! (just joking !)

leftybass wrote:

chefothefuture wrote:OK, this is going to sound pretty silly, but what do you guys mean by backwards surround?
All the picks I see show them going the right way.
Just the "long" lip was shortened and the PG no longer touches...
What am I missing (other than a few screws.....)?

John, here is a pic of my lefty '69 with a reverse-mounted surround (around a V63 shoe). Not original to the bass but this is the style it more than likely had when new----it is the only way it can fit the screw holes. It looks as though the holes were drilled opposite of what you normally find.

Well, the surround on that one IS going the right way;
it's the bass that's backwards!

+1

chefothefuture wrote:Well, the surround on that one IS going the right way; it's the bass that's backwards!

beatlefan wrote: +1

Laurel, meet Hardy.....

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:walker makes sense for once!!!

Never accuse me of making sense! Anyone who knows me well knows this isn't true!

"Andy, do you know if there is any difference between this case & a '64 Fender case...the ones with no Fender logo?

Tony, I don't. I do know this case is too large for Ric bass! I do have a '65 P lying permanently on the floor here as we speak...I need to see how that fits!

chefothefuture wrote:

leftybass wrote:

chefothefuture wrote:OK, this is going to sound pretty silly, but what do you guys mean by backwards surround?
All the picks I see show them going the right way.
Just the "long" lip was shortened and the PG no longer touches...
What am I missing (other than a few screws.....)?

John, here is a pic of my lefty '69 with a reverse-mounted surround (around a V63 shoe). Not original to the bass but this is the style it more than likely had when new----it is the only way it can fit the screw holes. It looks as though the holes were drilled opposite of what you normally find.

Well, the surround on that one IS going the right way;
it's the bass that's backwards!

...All we need now is a mirror shot and we'll all be really confused!

Here's my old Feb '69...

They look right to me.

Here's my Feb '69. Surround going the "right" way and no truss rod channels.

teeder wrote:Here's my Feb '69. Surround going the "right" way and no truss rod channels.

Very cool. But the guard and surround aren't touching.
There seems to be a transition from when they did touch,
to when there was a slight gap. Tony has a picture on this thread
of his new baby with the guard off showing the channels
going clear to the treble cavity. Perhaps the metal shop started
making the new surrounds prior to the wood shop making the update.
Maybe it's a similar situation with the transition from HS to high gain...