Hi Gain modifications

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:11 am

I was wondering if any of you guys/gals who enjoy experimenting with Rickenbacker pickups have done any mods to the hi-gain pickups, aside from the already mentioned bigger polepiece mods? Has anyone tried using alnico slugs instead of polepieces or a different wire gauge? Getting rid of the ceramic magnet and using alnico?

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:38 pm

Greg, that is what I have done to the treble pup on my bass - replaced the "nail" pole pieces with alnico5 slugs. That is with unwound high gains, not with the 13k winding though. I pulled the ceramic magnet off the back and let the alnico rods do the magnetizing.

First I used 1/4" diameter, then 5/16".

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:14 pm

Well, yes - I've done them all. But rather than modding an existing Rick pickup, I've built my own versions thereof from scratch.
Using a different wire gauge? Pretty pointless if you ask me, unless it's a lighter gauge which results in more output, as do larger polepieces.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:47 am

Would you guys say the sound with the alnico rods gets closer to a toaster sound?

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:39 pm

Yes. It is possible, and has been done, to put a toaster in the bridge position. I believe JPS has a bass that way.

Greg, you have mail.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:19 pm

Hey John, I'd just like to mention that those dowel pins you sent me some months back are the ultimate bass pickup polepieces! Next week I'll be sending a couple forumites new pickups sporting those. Stay in tune for some rave reviews hehe.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:45 pm

It will be interesting. I was thinking about those with all the shipping you've been doing lately. Glad to know they are working really well!