Pickup Adjustments on Rickenbacker

Stu Alt · From: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Happy Holidays, Amigos.

I’ve lurked for many moons, but rarely post.

In 2002 I bought a lap steel and parked it in the closet. It’s a fairly cheap 50’s or 60’s Rickenbacker 6 string. It doesn’t have any other identifying serial numbers or logos other than the Rickenbacker label.

In a fit of recent ambition, I pulled it out and re-strung it and have enjoyed sliding around in C6 tuning. However, the 4th (G) string seems appreciably less loud when amplified compared to the other strings.

I’m mostly an acoustic player and don’t know too much about pickups, electricity, etc. (I live in a cave and use candles!) Are there any relatively easy adjustments to make to better amplify this string? I’m not averse to tinkering with it myself. I tried to search the archives but didn’t find much.

My guitar’s tuners are a little different, but it basically looks like this one. http://wug.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys398emi/guitars/guitar_pix/50s_Rick_SW_LapSteel.jpg (Thank you Professor Errede)

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Muchas gracias

Stu

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Hi Stu, does your guitar have the adjustable bridge with an adjustment on each side? if so you might try movin the pickup closer to the strings or away if it's too close to see how that changes the sound. Also if those strings have been on there awhile you might try some new strings.

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

As Andy said ... first get some new strings.

Most folks go for wound "G"s ... 0.024 to 0.028 ...

Personally ... I like a plain 0.022 ... 0.024 plains were always hard for me to deal with ...

Before re-stringing ... take an Emery Board (for fingernail filing) ... and file off the oxidation on the steel plug pole pieces.

Then restring ... and use this Ricky Height Adjustment instruction sheet (scroll down) ... to set the height.

The 4th string is sitting right at the strongest section of a horseshoe pickup ...

So if the whole bass side seems weaker ... after adjustment ... that magnet may not be as strong as the treble side one ... which is not unusual.

If thats the case ... send them down to me ... and I'll "zap" them.

But try the new strings, pole piece "sanding" and height adjustment, first ...

------------------

Aiello's Cast Steel Guitars

My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 24 December 2005 at 02:19 PM.]

Stu Alt · From: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Thanks a lot for your quick responses.

I had already put new strings on (GHS Nickel roundwound .015-.036).

I did notice an assymetry between the spacing of the magnets on the inside. There was a lot more magnet overlying the 3rd (A) string, but much less over the 4th (G) string.

I loosened the screws on the sides and readjusted the magnets so there was more equal overlap and now the G string is much louder through the amp. However, both inside (3 and 4) strings are just a little softer than the outside strings. I'll have to experiment with locating the "sweet spot" before trying re-magnetization.

Also looks like I'll need to learn a little vocabulary (bobbin, plug pole pieces, etc.). Keeps the mind healthy!

I appreciate your suggestions. Now it's back to "Steel Guitar Rag".

Muchas gracias

[This message was edited by Stu Alt on 24 December 2005 at 03:26 PM.]

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