Mid 1980's BB450 pickup

[SimplemanBB450]

As I was cleaning my bass I notice on the bridge pickup there was a piece of foam with a metal on the back of it with a wire attached to it, can I assume this is how they are grounding the bass rather than through the bridge? Also how can I tell if there are the original pickups? Ever since I've owned it the bridge pickup cover never lined up with the magnetic pole piece so makes me wonder if it was an after market pickup. Any help would be great.

[SimplemanBB450]

Here is a pic...

[SimplemanBB450]

Here's another pic actually showing a grounding wire to the bridge, I'm even more confused now...

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by SimplemanBB450

Here's another pic actually showing a grounding wire to the bridge, I'm even more confused now...

That's just a shield for the pickup. Vintage Fenders are the same way. The brass is grounded and acts as a shield for the pickup. It has nothing to do with the bridge, it's just that the bridge is grounded.

The foam is to push the pickup up.

[SimplemanBB450]

Has any other BB owners (or any other mfg for that fact) seen where what appears to be factory pickups not having the poles line up with the cover? Ever since we've owned it, it has been this way and I can't seem to figure out why. If I could provide measurements of the bridge pickup could some validate it's authenticity? thanks for your help.