Vintage Reissue Higains anyone?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:33 am

No, 1969, 1970. Again, I'll bet they're 6.0/7.0 K.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:17 am

A 1974 high gain that I tested came in at 5.0 K in the bridge position of my 480 which I found too thin, even in concert with the neck pickup.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:09 am

Yes. Pickups on my now gone June '74 4001 read under 6.0 K. Their tone was clear but surprisingly punchy.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:11 am

P.S. I guess such variations happened rather by accident than design.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:08 am

With coil resistances that matched (or in some cases were lower than) the toaster pickups, what was hi-gain about them?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:14 am

Their design.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:55 am

Less feedback too.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:39 am

The ceramic magnet in the high gain makes it a bit less percussive and sensitive, but also more powerful. The extra wire on the bobbin also plays into that, and the high end is mostly kept due to the use of the ceramic magnet, which is non-metallic, so it doesn't contribute to any eddy currents and doesn't influence the inductance as directly. A lower inductance reading can indicate a brighter pickup all other things being equal. It also means a weaker pickup, but in the case of the high gain, the extra wire brings the inductance up around 3.2 to 3.5 henries, wheras the toaster is from 1.7 henries to 2.4 henries, depending on the era. I have not measured any 12k toasters so I have no idea how they spec out for inductance.

The toasters will feedback, thats for sure. It must be the non-wax potting and the arrangement of the coil in relation to the cover I'm guessing. If you don't point the guitar right at the amp though, its not a problem at all in my experience.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:57 pm

I will try to get those measurements done over the weekend. I apologize for letting this slide on the priority list.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:54 am

I'm sure everyone else is patiently waiting to hear more, just like me!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:31 am

I know, that's why I need to get it done!

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:53 am

Ok guys, I just got the "reissue" Higains in this afternoon. Sergio did a fabulous job! The looks are stunning. Killer early 70s vibe. Best of all, they sound beautiful! Very jangley,chimey. Just a little different tone than toasters but not by much. I can't put my finger on it.

Here are some pics. Sergio, you do some damned fine work my brother. It was well worth the wait.

Cole

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/MyRIC381withSergioReissueHigainsWOW.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/MyRIC381withSergioReissueHigains-1.jpg

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:14 am

Hey Cole. Thanks for the complimentary post + pics. Once again, sorry I took longer than reasonably acceptable to send out the pickups. Blame it on the unavailability of magnets. All is well that ends well. Play away!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:16 am

P.S. Cool-looking 381, by the way.

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:25 pm

Thanks Sergio. I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight. I can't put the 381 down! These pickups are great.