Rickenbacker S-100 Horseshoes

Kevin Glandon · Post by **Kevin Glandon** » 30 Jun 2022 9:09 am

Are the horseshoe magnets on the Ric S-100 real or faux? Reason for the question is I just received one that needs a little work. The horseshoes have zero magnetic pull on metal objects like a paperclip...but the pole pieces do, like on my Fuzzy JB which has faux horseshoe on it. I just opened the box the guitar came in here at work so I've not tried to plug it in.

Noah Miller · Post by **Noah Miller** » 30 Jun 2022 9:22 am

All the ones I've seen are real.

Some late '60s Rick steels have under-string pickups covered by the same chrome plastic hand rest as on the 4001/4003 bass - that's the closest they've come to a faux-horseshoe, but you can easily tell the difference because there's no gap in the middle:

It is possible for the shoes to become weak over time, though there's normally some amount of residual charge. They can definitely be recharged if necessary.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 Jun 2022 12:37 pm

They ran out of the good cobalt steel and started using an alloy that has a much lower coercivity in the early 60's.

Kevin Glandon · Post by **Kevin Glandon** » 30 Jun 2022 1:37 pm

Can these be re magnetized effectively?

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 Jun 2022 1:44 pm

Yes ... but they will only charge up to about 100 gauss (probe in the midgap of the two flanges) ... the good cobalt steel will charge to 200-250 gauss.

Kevin Glandon · Post by **Kevin Glandon** » 30 Jun 2022 2:18 pm

Thanks Rick!

Greg Forsyth · Post by **Greg Forsyth** » 30 Jun 2022 3:48 pm

Is there a know method on testing to see if it is cobalt steel?

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 Jun 2022 4:26 pm

A good gauss meter .... can tell alnico , ceramic , NIB, mild steel ,etc