Modifying 1980 HiGains
Moderator: jingle_jangle
Modifying 1980 HiGains
Hi all, this is my first post to the forum. I have an 81 4001 and the A and D polepieces are higher than the E and G on both the bridge and neck pickups. The E string is much lower in output than the A and D (the G isn't that bad). After seeing the toaster conversion pictures here on the forum, I was wondering if I can remove the A and D polepieces, shorten them and then reinstall in order to even out the string to string balance?
I am not sure if the coil is wound directly onto these pole pieces making this mod impossible.
I have already modified the bridge pickup to RWRP making the bass humcancelling in the middle position.
Thanks!
I am not sure if the coil is wound directly onto these pole pieces making this mod impossible.
I have already modified the bridge pickup to RWRP making the bass humcancelling in the middle position.
Thanks!
Are you sure you want to try and fix the problem on your own?...
The steps involved are: removing both pickup assemblies from bass, then removing bass pickup from its cover and treble pickup from its surround and mount plate; removing magnets from pickups; slightly lowering A and D polepieces on both pickups; cutting two small, shallow routes on top surface of magnets to accommodate lowermost portion of said polepieces; re-placing magnets; putting back together both pickup assemblies; re-installing pickups on bass and re-soldering output leads to circuit.
Labour-intensive, I know, but worth it. Cheers.
The steps involved are: removing both pickup assemblies from bass, then removing bass pickup from its cover and treble pickup from its surround and mount plate; removing magnets from pickups; slightly lowering A and D polepieces on both pickups; cutting two small, shallow routes on top surface of magnets to accommodate lowermost portion of said polepieces; re-placing magnets; putting back together both pickup assemblies; re-installing pickups on bass and re-soldering output leads to circuit.
Labour-intensive, I know, but worth it. Cheers.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Welcome John Bednar. Time for an S O S - Send it Over to Sergio. He does great work.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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Sergio, the labor is no problem, anything that you love is worth putting the time into it!
I already flipped the magnet and reversed the polarity on the treble pickup so the bass is hum cancelling when both pickups are on, so taking the pickups apart again won't be a problem.
My main worry was moving the polepieces without breaking the coil. I have moved polepieces on strat and P bass pickups without killing them, I was just wondering if I could do the same with the rick pickups.
Instead of cutting two routs into the magnet, can't the ends of the lowered polepieces be trimmed or filed to the same length as the E and G poles?
Again, thanks for the advice!
I already flipped the magnet and reversed the polarity on the treble pickup so the bass is hum cancelling when both pickups are on, so taking the pickups apart again won't be a problem.
My main worry was moving the polepieces without breaking the coil. I have moved polepieces on strat and P bass pickups without killing them, I was just wondering if I could do the same with the rick pickups.
Instead of cutting two routs into the magnet, can't the ends of the lowered polepieces be trimmed or filed to the same length as the E and G poles?
Again, thanks for the advice!
Hi John.
Yes, it is safe to move the A and D polepieces ONLY.
As for trimming or filing their ends, well, if you have the right tools it should be fairly easy. However, I believe it's better that both polepieces remain slightly taller than the E and G ones.
Yes, it is safe to move the A and D polepieces ONLY.
As for trimming or filing their ends, well, if you have the right tools it should be fairly easy. However, I believe it's better that both polepieces remain slightly taller than the E and G ones.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
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Here's a photo of a late-'80s HiGain that I modified by pushing the center polepieces right down to the surface of the bobbin and then grinding off almost all of the tops of the buttons. I either ground or filed down the two portions of polepieces that stuck out the bottom. The pickup has always worked fine.
This was originally for an experimental project in 1987 (Hint: I bought a lapsteel in 1986), and is now being used in another project from 1989. The polepiece spacing is slightly wider than I'd like, but it still sounds great and there is no noticible weakness in the strings that are off the polepieces.
This was originally for an experimental project in 1987 (Hint: I bought a lapsteel in 1986), and is now being used in another project from 1989. The polepiece spacing is slightly wider than I'd like, but it still sounds great and there is no noticible weakness in the strings that are off the polepieces.
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- Junior Member
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:02 pm