Horse shoe purpose

[frode]

I´m sure there are many threads about this, but what is the main purpose about the horse shoe. Both my old Ricks are without, something I see on almost all Ricks. Why do people take them off if it is a part of the pick up?

[rickaddict]

Why do people take them off if it is a part of the pick up?

Because it gets in the way of playing (for some people) and it is only cosmetic (on the Re-Issue horseshoe, that is).

[jdogric12]

Point of clarification:

a "horseshoe" pickup has the split in the middle, since it's two metal "U"'s that surround the bass and treble sides of the pickup.

most modern Ricks simply have a "pickup cover" with no split in the middle. It can be removed if you like, although you'll probably want to remove the strings to do it easily.

[just_bassics]

Why do people take them off if it is a part of the pick up?

Because it gets in the way of playing (for some people) and it is only cosmetic (on the Re-Issue horseshoe, that is).

Oh, Jeff, this again? I should just drive over to Chicago, set you straight about horseshoes, drink your Labatts and leave with that 4004 Cheyenne you have up for sale ( Since I'm dreaming, may as well get the Turq 4001S while I'm there)

[frode]

Point of clarification:

a "horseshoe" pickup has the split in the middle, since it's two metal "U"'s that surround the bass and treble sides of the pickup.

most modern Ricks simply have a "pickup cover" with no split in the middle. It can be removed if you like, although you'll probably want to remove the strings to do it easily.

Ok, so the "pickup cover" is only a cosmetic thing then..thanks for information

[jogi68]

frode, you can take off the cover of the newer reissue horseshoes that have been used from the ´80s onwards. You can also take off the cover of all modern Ricks with non-horseshoe pickups. On the old design that was used in the ´60s the "cover" is actually part of the pickup and cannot be removed.

[frode]

frode, you can take off the cover of the newer reissue horseshoes that have been used from the ´80s onwards. You can also take off the cover of all modern Ricks with non-horseshoe pickups. On the old design that was used in the ´60s the "cover" is actually part of the pickup and cannot be removed.

Yes it´s removable, but I thought maybe it did something with the sound. But it looks cool though I think I´ll keep it on and see if I get used to it.

[wints]

On the old design that was used in the ´60s the "cover" is actually part of the pickup and cannot be removed.

Not true....They can be removed, and you'll still have a working p/up, just a very weak one. Lot easier to play though!

[jps]

Why do people take them off if it is a part of the pick up?

Because it gets in the way of playing (for some people) and it is only cosmetic (on the Re-Issue horseshoe, that is).

Oh, Jeff, this again? I should just drive over to Chicago, set you straight about horseshoes, drink your Labatts and leave with that 4004 Cheyenne you have up for sale ( Since I'm dreaming, may as well get the Turq 4001S while I'm there)

Jim, on your way back, please stop by in Cleveland and drop Jeff's former 4002 off with me, thanks much!

[just_bassics]

Okay, Jeff - Have my Gretsch ready to go when I get there!

[jps]

Okay, Jeff - Have my Gretsch ready to go when I get there!

If you can secure the 4002, you have a deal!

[johnallg]

On the old design that was used in the ´60s the "cover" is actually part of the pickup and cannot be removed.

Not true....They can be removed, and you'll still have a working p/up, just a very weak one. Lot easier to play though!

If you were to do that, Andy, you would want to put a magnet under the coil. A current higain magnet would work fine and space things properly, and give back the lost output. I am surprised the coil itself would put out enough signal to even work.

[jps]

On the old design that was used in the ´60s the "cover" is actually part of the pickup and cannot be removed.

Not true....They can be removed, and you'll still have a working p/up, just a very weak one. Lot easier to play though!

If you were to do that, Andy, you would want to put a magnet under the coil. A current higain magnet would work fine and space things properly, and give back the lost output. I am surprised the coil itself would put out enough signal to even work.

How could it work at all without a magnet?

[johnallg]

A coil would still have induced current, but not much.

[weemac]

Gauss the Strings! (It seems to work on mine...)
Eden.