'Horseshoe' question
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jingle_jangle
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Re: 'Horseshoe' question
Hey, all. Sorry to bubble up this old thread if there's a newer one on the same topic.. but I've been digging into a lot of forum threads regarding H-Shoes, parts availability, patents, copyrights, and general universal angst.
Here's my question: if the visible gap on a H-shoe pup ring were closed seamlessly, all infringement claims would evaporate, correct? Put another way, is it the gap that makes the magnetic ring protected by Ric copyright?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this..
Here's my question: if the visible gap on a H-shoe pup ring were closed seamlessly, all infringement claims would evaporate, correct? Put another way, is it the gap that makes the magnetic ring protected by Ric copyright?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this..
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stevebasshead
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Re: 'Horseshoe' question
Hi,
Ah but then it wouldn't be a Horseshoe pickup at all, it's be a C-Shoe!
I see what you're getting at but I think (not that I'm an expert on magnetic field shapes!) it'd have quite different magnetic properties. The two visible ends, i.e. what you see above the bobbin of each shoe on a real magnetic HS are both the same pole (North I think) and the other two underneath the bobbin are both therefore Souths.
In the configuration you describe there'd only be one single piece of metal folding over, around and under the bobbin, rather than two separate shoes and therefore both opposite poles would sit underneath the bobbin. That's the opposite of what the HS does and I'm pretty sure the magnetic field/lines of flux would be quite different.
Wonder what it'd sound like?...
Regards,
Steve.
Ah but then it wouldn't be a Horseshoe pickup at all, it's be a C-Shoe!
I see what you're getting at but I think (not that I'm an expert on magnetic field shapes!) it'd have quite different magnetic properties. The two visible ends, i.e. what you see above the bobbin of each shoe on a real magnetic HS are both the same pole (North I think) and the other two underneath the bobbin are both therefore Souths.
In the configuration you describe there'd only be one single piece of metal folding over, around and under the bobbin, rather than two separate shoes and therefore both opposite poles would sit underneath the bobbin. That's the opposite of what the HS does and I'm pretty sure the magnetic field/lines of flux would be quite different.
Wonder what it'd sound like?...
Regards,
Steve.
Re: 'Horseshoe' question
Thanks for the quick response!
The reason that I asked is that there are modern versions of the gapless 'C' magnet pickups that are truly magnetic, and that resemble those so pervasive years ago in many brands of lapsteels (Fenders, etc.)
Here's a link to The Steel Guitar Forum where one of these modern examples is discussed:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=111989
I'd love to have one of these fitted to my bass!
Also, here's an interesting link to the Music Electronics Forum that discusses the horseshoe issue, expired patents, and trade dress:
http://music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=355
Food for thought.
The reason that I asked is that there are modern versions of the gapless 'C' magnet pickups that are truly magnetic, and that resemble those so pervasive years ago in many brands of lapsteels (Fenders, etc.)
Here's a link to The Steel Guitar Forum where one of these modern examples is discussed:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=111989
I'd love to have one of these fitted to my bass!
Also, here's an interesting link to the Music Electronics Forum that discusses the horseshoe issue, expired patents, and trade dress:
http://music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=355
Food for thought.