Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My old 4000 had one of these. But my 4001 doesn't. What is the story here?

4000 and 4001 models had the split tailpiece until approx May-June of 1973. After that the current non-split tailpiece design became the standard.

It was one of the components that was changed in the design by RIC during "The Transition Year 1973".

I always wondered what the split was for.

"I always wondered what the split was for."

Good point David.

What's the significance, if any of the split?

I always assumed that it was cosmetic, to mirror the "split" that the original horseshoes had. Once they went to the solid pickup cover, there was no point in keeping the split.

Of course, I am making this up, but it sounds plausible.

The old mute baseplates are actually split in the middle. Two seperate pieces although the mute was one solid piece. This may be the answer...

I kinda like the split look...

Jared, that's called a "diastema." My wife has one of those... looks sexy on her!

diastema?

ok

Yep, diastema.