Just some food for thought....memo to RIC

[leftybass]

I generally don't make posts like this too often about what I'd like to see, etc..BUT--

When and if the RI Horseshoe p/ups become available once again as a replacement part, I'd like to mention that this style of surround with the longer taper looks great IMO...it'd be great to see the surround even as a seperate part # for they would fit vintage basses as well as high-gain equipped 4001s and 4003s. Thank you.

[sloop_john_b]

John, would a surrond just like thatg one require any new drilling from say, a new surround? Or do the holes line up perfectly? I admit that does look cool, it'd probably look great on my v68.

[teeder]

Pretty sure they bolt right up, but there are others here that no more about it.

[leftybass]

John B.: I am thinking that the position of the screw holes over the years has varied slightly, one reason being the width of the flange edges of the surround. Early surrounds have a very narrow flange on the backside, like the one pictured. Some of the later types(with high gain p/ups) have more metal to work with, so the hole placement may vary slightly.

I am not sure what a good solution to not drilling extra holes would be for older basses.....the hole placement on these later 4003s is pretty standardized I would think, so Your Mileage May Vary, my friend.

[aceonbass]

The holes are reversed from early to late style so all four holes would have to be redrilled.

[jps]

Here is a real one, to compare with that retooled faker.

[aceonbass]

Ummm...what's the difference? The one that Mark made for me was made in the same way and from the same part as RIC's were originally. In my case, a RIC lapsteel surround. This is why the holes are where they are. They started there in the lapsteel piece.

[jps]

"Ummm...what's the difference?"

I got the impression from the ebay auction that what is on offer is an authentic vintage surround, not a modern reproduction.

To quote:

"This is a vintage surround for a 4000 or 4001 horseshoe pickup"

[aceonbass]

I don't know that it isn't an original piece, I do know how mine was made, and unlike the current(incorrect)vintage style surrounds, mine started as an original vintage piece that was finished in the same fashion as RIC's piece was originally. Like the auction, mine is made of chrome plated brass not steel.

[leftybass]

Hmm, I've looked at Jeff's and the one on ebay and I can see one minor but noticeable difference. I have also looked at pics of an NOS unplayed '64 4001(remember that one?), and this one is made the same as Jeff's. The ebay surround really looks nice, though.

[jps]

Actually, there are several differences. The string cutout on the one I posted is "rough hewn", so to speak, it has cutouts on the sides, the tail is asymmetrical, and it does not have those raised rings around the height adjustment screw holes.




If the ebay item is in fact from a lapsteel and modified, I feel the description should state that.

[aceonbass]

I agree, but then again, it's the closest thing someone will find to an authentic part to restore a vintage Rick. The uneveness at the tail end, I believe, is due to the way these things were made at the time...by hand from a pre-existing part.

[jps]

That's what I love about these things, the hand made -ness of them.

[jnbass]

like one of these;

[jps]

And these:





That last one is certainly in need of some hand work!