Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a problem with my beautiful ‘72 4001 that is frustrating the hell out of me.

It is a superb instrument except for one issue. The bridge P/U surround is the standard type, flat and not the scooped out variety. The problem is that if I give the strings a bit of wellie (not sure of the American for this term..) they hit the surround. This would be painlessly cured by fitting a scooped surround. Can I find one? No.

I have tried every avenue to get one of these but without joy.

Is there anybody out there with a scooped surround that they would be prepared to sell me? I would be eternally grateful if someone could help me out.

odd... my 72 has a scooped surround. Was yours replaced?

Bob, I had the same problem with my '72 4000. If I remember, I ended up getting one from Mike Parks. Of course, the shape will be slightly wrong (the corners more rounded than on the original) but it will work, at least until you luck out and find an original!

I have two 72 4001 basses, both of which have surrounds that are not scooped. One I know to be definitely original to the bass.

72 was a transitional year. You can see both types particularly on the late 72s.

Be aware that the new ones are too narrow for the cover.

The other thing Bob, is that you could sell me the bass and not worry about it's problems....

72 was not a transitional year 73 was.

Bob, if a modern scooped chrome surround works, I have one I can sell ya.

Now Ken,
Let's don't quibble....

I've seen Nov-Dec 72's with Flat PU surrounds, Non-Missing tooth TPs, and no finger-rests....
I've even seen a Dec 72 with the non flush fingerboard joint. Could have been a changed jackplate but this was long enough ago where 72 or 73 didn't matter....

This just proves that there really weren't any clearcut changes- It depended on who was on the line at the time....
Or what parts bucket they were grabbing from.

All 72 had checkerboard binding,skunk stripe,toaster,w/high gain,MOP wide inlays and slit in bridge this went on up until mid 73.

I have never seen or heard of a 72, being any different.Show me one that is and I will show you a bass thats not original.unless its an "S"

As for the surround both 72s I had and my 70,69,67,66 all have scooped surrounds.

73 was the transitional year.

Bob, for the mean time use a newer surround the holes should line up,until you can find one or modify yours not terribly hard.

Sept. '73, flat surround.

'86 was another transitional year.

Ken-
With all due respect, I have held in my hands such beasts.
These were late enough in 72 that they might not have left
the factory or weren't completed until early 73. A backlog
on certain parts might explain.
As the footprints of the tailpeices are slightly different; an educated eye could determine if one was replaced.
As is well documented, changes in Rick hardware didn't
have any exact dates; look at when ROS was introduced on
the 360s. Or even the Ac'cent vibrato....
In certain cases, I sort of find almost every year had some change or another.

Hi Ken, I would love to get hold of a new scooped out surround, that is the problem that I am having! Mike Parks is not allowed to sell me one in the UK, and the importers over here have been a total waste of space over trying to find me one…

This is my problem....

I might have one if I can dig one up Ill be glad to send it to you.

I can always order one for you and send it to you.let me know:[email protected]


IF ANYONE HERE HAS ONE LETS GIVE BOB,A HAND.


John,your going to have to prove that one to me.