Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know several folks make a replacement Horseshoe Treble pickup (can't remember who they are thou) Who makes the most authentic? I know the ones I've had from Rickenbacker (re-issue) had plastic baseplates and the magnets were not, well, magnets.
Who makes an authentic Horseshoe (for the bass-guitar)?

I take it you mean the whole horseshoe pickup assembly, i.e. pair of horseshoe magnets + aluminum mount plate + coil. I can help you with the coil assembly. Details on request.

Ken, Check out Jason Lollar's website. Try Jasonlollar.com or if that doesn't work try a google search of his name. I've got one of his on my 68 4001 and I like it a lot!

Ron,
Detailed pics!

my older brother is a ferrier...oh wait, nevermind.

I'd be interested in a horseshoe surround!!! Anyone have one lying around that they're not using??? Thought so...haha.

You mean this one?

I just sent Jason 5 more sets yesterday ...

Nice to have that publicly documented- thanks!

"Nice to have that publicly documented- thanks!"

What...? Did I say something wrong? I don't get it?

Mr. Hall ... You are welcome.

If your "Trademark" application ... which you filed for Dec 2, 2004 ... is granted ...

Rest assured ... I am a law abiding citizen ...

One doesn't have to obtain a registration to own or create a trademark- the horseshoe has been a trademark for decades now. Registration is a process to obtain additional legal rights, such as to file infringement actions in federal court.

I really don't want a horsehoe pickup and I really don't like them ... but if I did want want one I can't buy one from Ric and it appears that Ric wants to shut down anyone who makes them ... so what are Ric owners supposed to do? make their own? I understand you have a business and you need to protect your product line ... but Ric spare parts are hard to come by ...

I am going to take a chance here because I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer. I am not trying to stir things up. I just want to understand the facts. Couldn't such a trademark be used to effectively extend an expired patent? If so, can any patented design be subsequently trademarked? For example, could Edison have trademarked the lightbulb or even parts of the lightbulb so that only GE could produce them today? Could the inventor of the Philips screwdriver have trademarked the cross tip design to prevent others from making them after the patent expired? If so, the idea seems somewhat contrary to the spirit of patent process. I thought that once a patent expires anyone could freely make and sell versions of the invention without license or restriction. Again, I don't mean to be inflamatory or offensive. I just want to know.

oh-oh...