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Post new topic Teetering horseshoe pickup in bakelite Rickenbacher
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Author Topic:  Teetering horseshoe pickup in bakelite Rickenbacher
Brett Lanier

 

From:
Madison, TN
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2020 10:05 am    
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I have an old silver panel bakelite six string that has an annoying little issue where the pickup teeters forward and back, causing the cover to hit the strings on the front side. I haven't pulled it apart yet to try and fix it, thought I'd check with you all first to see if anyone has tips about how to best remedy the situation. Thanks

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Don Barnhill


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2020 10:49 am    
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I’d pull it apart and the remedy will present itself. Good luck!
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Tim Whitlock


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2020 8:43 am    
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Not sure what you mean by "teeters". Do you mean the whole assembly moves or just the horseshoe magnet? Is it really loose? It should be pretty solid with very little movement. If it is very loose then I agree with Don you'll just have to carefully disasenble and diagnose.

I had a somewhat similar issue when I got my Silver Hawaiaan. The clearance for the strings between the coil and magnet is very small - roughly 1/8" The pickup assembly has to be exactly parallel to the strings or the strings can touch the magnet where they enter or exit. My pickup was tipped very slightly forward and the strings were touching the magnet. I made a tiny shim out of a credit card which leveled the pickup and solved the problem. Good luck with your Ricky - they are such great guitars!
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Brett Lanier

 

From:
Madison, TN
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2020 12:24 pm    
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Yes, same issue, hitting the strings on the front side. I'll probably just shim it with a piece of cardboard or something.

I've been playing it this way for a few years now, and just push it back with my hand whenever it happens. Maybe a bit of an excuse to post in the non pedal section... Hi non pedalers!
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Glenn Wilde

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2020 3:13 pm    
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Sounds like some strong springs on the adjusters would cure this.
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Steve Marinak


From:
Man O War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2020 6:29 am    
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I have the same issue with one of the pickups in my "new" double neck 6. I was thinking stronger springs could do it. I'm going to take it apart and investigate. A shim would surely work.
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Steve Marinak
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Steve Marinak


From:
Man O War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2020 7:17 am    
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Brett,
I took my teetering pickup out. Turns out the springs are different sizes, which is probably not how this was intended. These pickups have been played around with as they were backwards when I got the guitar. Pics of my springs attached.

I'm ordering a few different sizes from McMaster.com in image below.

I'll let you know what works.



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Steve Marinak
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Steve Marinak


From:
Man O War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2020 4:09 am    
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Brett,
The new longer heavier springs were the best of the three.
It certainly helps stiffen up the pickup from moving.
Mine still moves a little but you have to push it.
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Steve Marinak
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