Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

our resident pickup expert!

I've almost completed the restoration of my JG '72 4001 (pics are coming soon!). I've got the original screw-top pickup with the aluminum baseplate, but it doesn't have the "oomph" I'm used to (my two main basses have RI horseshoe pickups in them). Would it be possible for you to build me a new bridge pickup with the high output of the RI horseshoes? I believe they measure around 10 to 10.5K. Willing to pay!

Sure, Rob. Consider it done.
Yes, I'm told re-issue horseshoe pickups are wound to around 10 K.
What do you wish the new p.u. to look like? The original one? A re-issue horseshoe p.u.? A 'button-top' high-gain p.u.? Let me know which one you prefer.

Excellent! A screw-top pu like the original would be great, Sergio!

Okay. Please let me know the distance (which tended to vary somewhat from one 4001 to another)between the centerlines of the E and G strings over the treble pickup on your 72 4001). While you're at it, please confirm whether polepieces on your pickup are round head or flat head screws. No further information is required.

Here's a 1972 4001 pickup set. The treble p.u. on your 4001 should look exactly like that (those are flat head screws).

The screws on mine don't look like that - they have round heads and are not as big in diameter. I will measure the string spacing tonight. Thanks Sergio!

I measured last night - The distance between the E and G polepieces should be exactly 2 inches.

Thanks for the info, Rob. I'll start working on the pickup in the next few days.

Awesome, thanks!