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Post new topic Question about adjusting a Rick horseshoe pickup
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Author Topic:  Question about adjusting a Rick horseshoe pickup
Russell Taylor

 

From:
Dade City, FL
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2015 8:44 am    
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I was fortunate to recently snag a very nice late 40's B6 Rick on fleabay (thanks again to John Limbach for posting that FYI about the listing). The guitar is in amazing shape for it's age. The pickup is strong, though not as strong as the one on the 50's Rick 100 model I got from T. Clinesmith and sold recently to another forum member before my wife caught wind of all my wheelings and dealings!

I noticed when I first got the bakelite Rick the opposing 'shoes' of the pup were not level to each other. I figured out that by turning the screws on each side of the pup I can raise or lower it in relation to the strings thus affecting it's sensitivity. I also see that, on this pup at least, the poles are not all the same height. They're lower for the heavier strings and taller for the higher pitched strings. (makes sense I guess). But how close to the poles should the strings ideally be for good balance? I've messed around with it some and it sounds pretty good, but never having played one of these before or having another to compare it to, I'm wondering if I have it set correctly?
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2015 8:48 am    
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You may (or may not) find relevant info here on Rick Aiello's page:


http://www.horseshoemagnets.com/_sgg/m7_1.htm
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Russell Taylor

 

From:
Dade City, FL
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2015 8:55 am     should checked there first....
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Thanks Jon-
Rick Aiello's page does indeed have specific info on adjusting the pup.
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John Limbach

 

From:
Billings, Montana, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2015 12:20 pm    
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You can also do what I did with both of mine and unscrew the pickup and the plate holding the pots, and unscrew the input jack. Then unsolder the two pickup wires. Lift the whole mess out as a unit, actually two. Wrap it up, put in a box and send it to the Sage of Berryville (Rick). For a very reasonable fee he will inspect and repair as required and remagnetize the pickup.

He did my 1950 BD6 a year or two ago and is now doing my 1947 B6. The bobbin was a mess and wires falling out, etc. He's redoing all that, has remagged the pickup (was down 50% which I guess is not too bad after 68 years) and will then replace the pots and cap. Will be good or more likely better than new. Highly recommended.
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