Martin Lindsay
From:
Brevard, NC
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Posted 21 Aug 2020 6:49 am |
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I recently purchased a ‘37 NS-100 Ric lapsteel. When I got it, I thought the 6th string “punkiness†/ drop off in amplitude was the result of the prev owner setting the pickup too close to the string (magnet damping vibration).
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as I thought. Since the pickup and horsehoe form an opening, moving the pickup closer moves the horseshoe farther away. Came to realize now why the prev owner set height like that and why it sounds like it does.
Examining the exposed horseshoe arms, they don’t run parallel to the plane of the strings, with a rotation toward the bridge (making them closer to the strings as they go to the bridge. Also, one side U of the magnet appears to be slightly bent, evidenced by the gap / opening between the opposing arms where the bass side rises slightly higher at the gap.
Therefore, pickup height adjustments are compensating for mechanical alignment issues which compromise any optimum setting for the magneto-electrical side of things.
Live and learn.... Looks like I got more than I bargained for.
Is this something any of you have dealt with, and if so, is it something that can be put right?
I read Rick Aiello’s tech tip on removing pre-war NS pickup which would give me a better look. He also describes how to remove magnets which would allow me to check the one that’s bent. When I do this, I’ll post photos throughout process.
Wondering if a shim would get rid if the reatward tilt & align magnets with the string plane.
Martin
Last edited by Martin Lindsay on 15 Apr 2022 9:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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