Study this photo carefully
This course builds upon the foundational knowledge of the various Rickenbacker pickups that you acquired during your undergraduate studies. These include the Toaster, Hi-Gain, and Humbucker pickups, among others.
Let’s begin our discussion by examining a unique topic: the "Combo 400 pickup", which was one of the few pickups Rickenbacker used that wasn't proprietary. Who would like to volunteer to explain to the class what we’re looking at here? 1 point each -> what's the pickup called, and who made it? 10 points -> what other production '50s guitar(s) had this pickup as standard (both the manufacturer and model please)?
From @vanelectrode:
A DeArmond pup made by Rowe Industries of Toledo, Ohio, found among the Combo 400. I could not find a formal name for this unit but the '56 catalog refers to it as a "sensitive, recessed pickup," how sensual! This peculiar unit was also found in the Epiphone Harry Volpe signature model. Beatles gear influencer Toots Thielemans strummed a DeArmond equipped Combo oft cited as inspiring a young John L. to procure a certain V81