Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I would like to replace the horseshoe in my V63 with a new 4003 high gain . Will the new pickup fit into the existing V63 surround ? The horse shoe will be kept incase of a future sale but that cover is in my way for now . The Rickresource Forum knows all !!!!

The new pickup will drop right in!

And sound a lot better!


*runs and hides*

Unless your V63 is a very early one the shoes are cosmetic. You can simply remove the shoes and use the pickup you have.

Ken . I need to take a closer look . I thought the pickup was welded to the bottom of the cover .

LOL ! I hope Scott can come out of hiding

The shoes are held on by four screws through the mounting plate. If it is the later non-magnetized version you can remove them, but you need to place a shim the same thickness as the shoes between the mounting plate and the bobbin to make up for the missing shoes. Better to just send me the pickup, less troublesome, really.

OK Mr Scott . Its in the mail.......

you can take out a horseshoe and drop in a high gain ... you will need a screw driver and a soldering iron ...

here is my old 68 with a screaming high gain in place where the whimpy horseshoe used to be ...

Actually this horseshoe is very powerful and punchy . Maybe because it's a 97 model . My ear likes the high gain and toaster tone I've had in my toaster 4004Cii and 77 4001 basses . Man...that's a beauty Jeff !!

Barry,
I have a Horseshoe pickup that is probably around the same age as your's. I had this one installed when some other work was being done. The luthier had this one without shoes because they were used on another project. He created a metal mounting plate that included a spacer and it sounds great.
I am searching for shoes because I want it to be complete, so if there's anyone out there with some spares, drop me an email.

I have a Lollar horseshoe and a nice hot toaster on my '79. The horseshoe is quite low output and reedy, but when added to the punchy toaster, it's the most RIC sounding of all my basses.

I have to admit...my 97 V63 has some amazing tone with the toaster/horseshoe combo but It is a bit mid heavy for me . Maybe when I disasemble the shoe it will sit lower in the bass and have the sound I am looking for . The toasters in my 4004 are only about 2 years old and sound perfect . The 4001 basses I've owned had great sounding 1977 hi gains . Why is the tone so different in the V63 ?

Bob . Is that a walnut ?

Barry, that is the same experience I have: The 4001 High Gains are excellent in frequency and output, the later '80ies PUs do not even come close to them. Maybe the new (Allen Wrench Pole Piece)ones might, but I did not yet get one.