Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently acquired a 71 4001 that has an 80's horseshoe installed. I was poking around in here and saw that some folks have bent their shoes to original (or close) spec. I would love to get mine bent in this manner so I can bring my pickup down a little without lanking off of the shoes - also - cosmetically, it makes more sense. I really dig the pickup but it's a little too hot for my tastes at it's lowest adjusted height.

I would love to send my shoes to someone who could bend them for me. I would be happy to compensate you for your help. I'd love to keep this pickup in my bass.

If anyone with this skill can help me, please e-mail me: slidebass78(at)gmail(dot)com

Here she is:

Gorgeous bass.

Jeff Scott is the master at bending horseshoes.

Good luck!



Hey, where's your tug-bar?

welcome, quite the introduction! stunning bass.

Thanks guys. A good vintage rick has been the hardest thing to find for me - I've had a few but they all lacked strong E strings - this one - fortunately - has a great E and, after looking so long, she will stay with me forever.

Sorry to jump right in without a real introduction - I've always lurked here but now I have a great new reason to join in on the fun.

Welcome, and gorgeous bass! My '72 is about to get a horseshoe (arrives today I think), but it's more of a restoration project in general ... perfectly playable though. Anyway, I'm sure people are dying to know where you found such a rare beauty!

Welcome Steven,

Yes, that's a beauty of a 71. It's not Bob T's old bass is it?

Edit:
It has a repro guard, so I believe not...

My guard is a real rick guard - it's just a year or two later than the original.

I snagged this one from Brian Barrett at the Low End - it was gonna hit Ebay and I threw him some offers and BEGGED. I traded a great bass for it but not something as difficult to replace as a pre 73 rick. Brian was great to deal with and the whole deal was easy.

Thanks for clearing that up Steven.

HI Steven,

Jeffrey Scott is indeed the shoe-bending expert. I followed his advice to the best of my ability, and it certainly helped improve the functionality of my RI HS. An inexpensive trip to the hardware store will get you what you need to do it yourself, though - although I certainly understand wanting to have an expert do it. (I'm no expert, so I'm afraid I wouldn't be much too much help!)

Here's his description of the process:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=379565#p406953

Beautiful '71 there, Steven. I'm highly covetous.

Welcome, Steven!
I'm fairly new to the '71 club myself.
Your's is beautiful! What month is it?

Kevin, I'm not sure - the jack plate has been replaced - the pots say 71. This is the first I've seen with walnut wings and a short headstock - does that help date it? Brian Barretts site said 72 but a few local cats think it's a 71.

Pacealot, Thanks for the link, I may just try it myself. Off to check it out now!

you need a cobbler

Here's my old Dec 71 with walnut wings.

Very nice andrew! Mine looks very much that one. Are those tuners larger diameter?

Welcome, Steven!

You will find it easy to bend the shoes yourself. Taking the shoes off the pickup is also easy, just keep track of what you did so you can reverse the procedure to put it all back together. Of course, you could send the pickup to me but I would need the bass, too. Some day it will find it's way back to you.