Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,
I recently bought an eighties 4003S with a toaster and magnetized horseshoe. After owning quite a few high-end basses I think this is the one for me. Very happy with the sound.

The only problem is a sort of 'phaser' effect and uneven volume levels on the A + D strings in the upper registers. I noticed that this is only noticeable with the horseshoe on its own.

Then I noticed that the horseshoe pole pieces under the A + D strings are much closer to these strings (i.e. more raised in height) then the others.

Can anyone please offer advice on how to correct this. Thanks.

Yes, er - take out the horseshoe, er, sell it - and put in a Hi-gain.

The horsey guys will chime in, no question.

Post some pics of that 4003S!

I think it might be endemic to Horsies - the one in my 65 is similarly dodgy on the D string. Maybe it's a little degaussed?

Degaussed. But of course. Em, what does that actually mean?

Surely there is a way of adjusting the pole pieces individually? If not I might put a high gain in instead.

As far as pics go, its the black on black one that I believe Ken Swearingen used to own, its well known around the forum.

Does anyone remember if this is a RIC HS, or a Loller (SP)?

I also vaguely remember something about a Lap Steel HS, or am I confusing two different posts from the past?

Tony, as far as I was told it is a Ric HS.

the pole pieces, if I recall, cannot be adjusted individually.

you should dump it-I'll take it off your hands...

Without actually hearing the problem I can only guess. Sometimes marginal fret work can cause an oscillation in the sound. Poorly cut bridge saddles can do the same thing. I believe you are hearing two different problems. The oscillations are likely not caused by the same problem that is causing the volume variations.

Old style horseshoe pickups are a bit fussy if not assembled and installed correctly. The EA magnet has a slightly wider gap than does the GD magnet. If you put them together gap to gap you should be able to see the difference. It is important that the magnets are on the correct side of the bobbin. Also, the bobbin itself has an E and G side. The E pole piece is closer to the end of the bobbin than is the G pole.

Not to overstate the obvious, but it could also just be too close to the strings.

Possibly but I would expect him to be complaining about the string hitting the pole then. The magnet/bobbin gap on a vintage horseshoe is quite narrow. There is only a small window where the string won't hit either the pole or the magnet when struck. The resulting clack/pop from that collision is not pleasant to the ears.

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

Fran you're right, the A string in particular hits off the pole piece quite easily when playing near the neck where the strings are most loose.

If I can't easily resolve this I may get a high gain installed instead. Apart from the aesthetic appeal of the HS I can't say that the tone is vitally different to my ears than that of a high gain, and I did not have this problem on my last 4003 deluxe.

I had always wondered about the HS/toaster combo. The toaster on the other hand is tonally more different, I love its sound.

So, is my only option to lower the height of the entire HS pickup? Would it be possible for a luthier to grind down the tops of the protruding pole pieces to match those under the E and G string? Okay I'll stop now.

You can adjust the poles but it is not recommended. Make sure the pickup is assembled and oriented correctly first. If it is, then very carefully and slowly adjust the pole downward.

Can you elaborate on 'slowly adjust' please?

Just to clarify, the pole pieces are flat top, with nothing to grip. Could I gently tap them downwards without damage in your experience?

Flat tops you say? Can you provide a picture? Vintage horseshoes would have screws. It sounds more like a VRI horseshoe from that description.

Could very well be the case, although the metal parts are magnetized.