Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I would think they were Neo magnets, from what I have read elsewhere on this "magnet trick".

I use 2 x 1972 4001s and if anything the neck toaster on those (certainly on my Azure) is louder than the bridge pickup (cap out). I adjust the pickup height to level them up. I’d say my 4001CS bridge pickup is probably a little louder than the neck but where it’s an issue, or I’m after a specific tone, I just knock the volume back a tad to level them up.

This is a really cool idea, I think. Any drawbacks, once adjustments are made?

If I recall correctly, the only potential drawback, from discussing this with John Hall, is if the magnet is too strong, then the magnetic pull can limit string vibration.

paologregorio wrote: Sat Nov 29, 2025 1:59 pm If I recall correctly, the only potential drawback, from discussing this with John Hall, is if the magnet is too strong, then the magnetic pull can limit string vibration.

Makes sense.

teeder wrote: Wed Nov 26, 2025 9:24 am What type of magnet did you use? Alnico II, 5, ?

Neodymium.

kennyhowes wrote: Sat Nov 29, 2025 6:36 am This is a really cool idea, I think. Any drawbacks, once adjustments are made?

Not that I've noticed. At least one person found that he had to adjust his action, as the stronger magnet pulled his strings down! I haven't had any adverse issues. No loss of sustain, no deleterious change in tone. Maybe even slightly better tone.

Had my 2016 4003W out, so I decided to dig out my teslameter and make a couple of measurements.

Stock, the neck pickup measured 11mT and the bridge pickup 22mT.

With the neo magnets in place, the neck pickup measured 22mT. That was with two 30mmx10mmx2mm magnets. That's hardly too high. My 60s Hagstrom measured 40mT, and my Squire Pbass measured about 70. So there's a lot of wiggle room. Makes me wonder why Ric magnets are so weak.

Anyway, it's worked for me, and I recommend trying it. Easily done, easily reversed if you don't like it.

Got out my 1979 4001MG.

Opened it up and found that I had used two 30mmx10mmx2mm magnets.

With those magnets, the neck pickup measured about 40mT, as did the bridge pickup. With the magnets removed, the neck measured around 40mT.

I installed a 60mmx10mmx3mm magnet, and the flux went up to 55mT. Looking forward to trying it out at band practice on Monday.

Now I'm wondering, why were the magnets so much weaker on the 4003W? If anything, I'd have expected them to be stronger than the 47-year-old 4001. Maybe I mis-measured? I'll have to get the 4003W out and measure again.

I thought the output was noticeably higher. Overall, the bass sounded beefier, bassier. Not necessarily what everyone is looking for in a Ric. I thought the neck pickup sounded better on its own than it ever has. I'll keep it, for now.