Page 1 of 2

Horseshoe Options

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:42 am
by gareth
OK, so I've scored a new RIC horseshoe. I have four options now.

1. Replace the Lollar horseshoe in the '79 4001
2. Install it in the '74 4001
3. Replace the pup in the 4000 with it
4. Route a big hole in the 4004LK and nail it in place with fencing nails

I'm thinking #3

Any opinions ?

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:45 am
by thx1955
Option 4(A) Ship it to me ... ;)

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:46 am
by sloop_john_b
5. Give to me.

I guess it comes down to which of the basses do you least like the tone of.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:47 am
by thx1955
I asked first .... !!!

But if you are going to insist on keeping it then I'd agree with Option 3.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:49 am
by jdogric12
I'm leaning toward #1. Then you could sell the Lollar (although I'm not too sure what that is - my bass pu k'nowledge is limited). If #2 is original, don't mess with it. #3 is an unusual model, so I wouldn't mess with it either.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:52 am
by sloop_john_b
J, Jason Lollar is a pickup maker, and produced a horseshoe pickup for a while.

http://www.lollarguitars.com/

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:17 am
by jwr2
the 4004 is not thick enough to put in a horseshoe pickup ...

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:21 am
by sloop_john_b
I think if he was serious about nailing a horseshoe onto an LK, body thickness would be the least of his problems.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:23 am
by cheyenne
Jeff's correct. It appears that Lemmy has a bridge hi-gain on his bass, but it is actually just the "cover" so he can anchor his hand.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:37 am
by sloop_john_b
Yep. It's quirky, but it's clearly a Lemmy feature - I wonder whhy RIC didn't put it on the signature models?

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:39 am
by basshawk
#3 I have a re-issue in my '68 4000 and it sounds great. You won't be dissapointed.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:19 pm
by jwr2
the cover on the Lemmy bass is a hand rest ... there is no pickup under it ...

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:22 pm
by rickfan60
I suspect that the LK did not get the surround and cover because it is ugly as hell on a 4004. IMHO anyway.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:23 pm
by gareth
I think I should mention at this point that option #4 should not be taken seriously.

I'm leaning towards #3

On another note, the LK is noticeably lighter than the 4001's. It has a much more bright and aggressive tone. I suspect that the third pickup addresses this as it sounds a little too toppy when switched in two pickup mode. When all three are on, it sounds awesome. Every time I've seen Motorhead live in the last few years, I suspect tone isn't a problem for him, as his bass is so bright and distorted, it sounds almost like a baritone guitar. I don't think an extra pickup would make much difference to that sound.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:04 pm
by jwr2
As fast and loud as Lemmy plays it probably doesn't matter what brand of bass he uses ...