Neck Pickup Spacing

deblase4001 · Post by **deblase4001** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:05 pm

When did the 1/2 inch spacing for the 4001 neck pickup change to 1 inch? I have an April 1975 4001 and it has the 1/2 inch space. Seems like all the other 75s I see have the 1 inch. Just curious.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:37 pm

It changed in 1975 but 74's and some (maybe all?) 75's are routed to accept both 1" and ½" spacing. All you had to do is get a different pickguard to change the spacing.

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:29 pm

...are all screws positions are fitting for both pickguards?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:34 pm

I had a 75 with almost all the old style features except a toaster and checkerboard trim, including 1/2" spacing, silk screened TRC, flat neck, Grovers, and the little headstock. I think it was a left over late 73 but not assembled until 1975. Many 74's I've seen had 1" spacing, and almost all 75's. I always though it was somewhere during 1973.

edski · Post by **edski** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:05 pm

My 75 is 1/2"...never looked under the PG to see if it's routed to do both.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:05 pm

That's a nice bass Ed. I like the half inch spacing with high gains, nice and deep sounding.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:33 pm

33 years since the change and I still never got used to the look of the 1" spacing. My first Ric had a 1/2" spacing so that is what looks "correct" to me... nothing to do with the actual sound of the instrument.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:03 am

It's funny what affects how we perceive things. My first Rick was/is my '67 4005WB and that became my standard in Rick tone, it being quite versatile with the two toasters spaced far apart. As to the 1/2" spacing on a 4001, it too, looks correct vs. the 1" spacing as all the ones I saw early on had the smaller spacing.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:17 am

A larger pickguard (like the C64) would make the 1" spacing look better proportioned.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:30 am

Like this (pic fron a recent eBay auction, with a quick MSpaint treatment:

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:19 am

That does look better!

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:39 am

It does make it look better but it doesn't help to give that vintage tone!

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:35 am

Here are two Rics from the same seller now on eBay, one stock and the other with a C64-style pickguard and 1/2" spacing. Which one looks better to you?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:27 pm

Funny! I have been seeing that one with the c64 pickguard on eBay for months now and always assumed it was 1/2" spacing!

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:09 pm

It would be really nice if RIC just went back to the old style pickguards, they just make the bass look a whole lot better.

Those two pics prove it, too!