Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hello folks, how would I go about removing the pole pins on my 1981 ~320. I was told that they do no screw out on these older models.I want to install toaster tops I have but keep the hi-gain pick-ups. The plastic tops on these pole pins only look like they have a round hole and would not accept a tool of some kind... Thanks, Mike B.

IIRC, you may damage the coils. Just cut the buttons off.

Cutting the buttons off of high gains so you can put Toaster covers on only lowers the output off the pickup. Hi gains don't have big powerful Alnico slugs like Toasters. Why do people keep trying to make RIC pickups that aren't Toasters look like Toasters at the expense of their functionality?

aceonbass wrote:Why do people keep trying to make RIC pickups that aren't Toasters look like Toasters at the expense of their functionality?

Because toasters are $150 and toaster covers are $25, and people already have hi gains.

I get the theory, but I've modified both early button type (by cutting the heads off) and modern type by screwing them in backwards from the bottom, both without any substantial difference in tone. Your mileage may vary though, I guess?

aceonbass wrote:Cutting the buttons off of high gains so you can put Toaster covers on only lowers the output off the pickup. Hi gains don't have big powerful Alnico slugs like Toasters. Why do people keep trying to make RIC pickups that aren't Toasters look like Toasters at the expense of their functionality?

Perhaps?

What kind of hi-gain has round holes???

jps wrote:

aceonbass wrote:Cutting the buttons off of high gains so you can put Toaster covers on only lowers the output off the pickup. Hi gains don't have big powerful Alnico slugs like Toasters. Why do people keep trying to make RIC pickups that aren't Toasters look like Toasters at the expense of their functionality?

Perhaps?

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Is that the Cheech & Chong bug? Far out.

I have a 1981 320 JG and a 1981 360-12 FG WB ckbd. The pins are epoxied in. They contact the bar magnet on the bottom, bringing the magnetism up through the coil. At one point, I had a bar magnet crack. I finally fixed it, but in the time being I had no definition and reduced volume. The same thing will happen if you chop the tops off.

Please leave them along. If you want more traditional jangle, get 7.4k toasterwounds from the boutique. If you want more drive, watch for 12k toaster. If you want even more drive, more mids, at the expense of top end, get a RIC humbucker.

I mean, there is a reason why only after one year or so of production, circa 1969 or 1970, that RIC changed from the original pin polepieces to the button tops on the better known high gains. It is what I described.

Dear Scott Pope, thank you for your info regarding the pole pins on the 1981~320. I'm gonna take your advice and leave well enough alone. thanks, Mike B.