Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I think I have my answer. If you measure these things without unsoldering them, for the middle and neck you'd get the result of this:

1/resistance of first pickup + 1/resistance of second pickup = 1 / resistance of both --- so plug in some numbers
1/7.4 + 1/7.4 = 1/R
2/7.4 = 1/R
R = 3.7

Hence you ...

Please don't take this personally -- I am merely trying to rule out all possibilities. Is there any way you can be absolutely certain that your guitar has always been a 1998? Do you know for certain it was born with all three pickups? I'm just trying to rule everything out, you know?

Another note... I wonder how many 3-pickup Ricks with even-rated pickups started life as 330s or 360s...

Quick question, then:

With all main knobs dimed out and the fifth knob all the way toward the bass side of things, do you still get plenty of difference in tone in the middle and up positions of the switch, or do you have to dial back the fifth knob to achieve that?

I'm sorry to be so specific ...

Here's some background -- here are three quotes from Fretted Americana regarding 1960's models Ricks with 3 pickups:

1966 375:
"Three "toaster" pickups with outputs of 3.81k, 3.80k, and 12.10k (that's how Rickenbacker three-pickup models measure)."

1966 345:
"Three "toaster" pickups with outputs ...

There have been several hi-gains over the years. I've seen them with totally flat tops with pole pieces of even height. I've seen them with flat tops but with the pole pieces arranged in an arch. And then came the raised bars. And now the adjustable pole pieces.

I've played an older 330 with ...

I have a Vox Phantom XII with the factory Bigsby rip-off -- or as I call it, the automatic detuning machine. Great way to end a song. End a song.

That fifth knob really does give you a kind of flexibility that no other guitar I know of has. It's really nice to be able to dial in just the right amount of oomph behind the jangle so you can adjust to different songs. You'll always be heard on a Rick, you know?

They are a tad brighter than old Hi-Gains to my ear; but not because of more treble tones -- it's like there's less of whatever the muffling tones were or something. I play my 360-12 with the older pickups through BBE Sonic Maximizer; I don't think I will feel the need to with the new 330-6. There's ...

It just amazes me how many people don't understand how to use the fifth knob. It ain't exactly rocket science.

You know what I forgot about six-string 300 series guitars? Harmonics freakin' everywhere out the wazoo. On my Gretsches, you really have to work for harmonics and you won't find anything that isn't at 5, 7, and 12. On my new 330, I have to literally be careful in locating harmonics on the exact ...

Funny you mention that -- I have a 2005 360/12 that I wish had these on it, too.

Just got a 2006 330 in AFG (best finish EVER!). I was initially intending on swapping out the Hi-Gains in favor of scatterwound toasters, but I have to say -- the new Hi-Gains with adjustable pole pieces are a great improvement on the old design. I think they're stayin'. Anyone else have any ...

So I have about a week's worth of playing time with the Barber Tone Press compressor. I can honestly say that I see what all the fuss is about. It's dead quiet (miles better than my old Boss). And better, you can use oodles of compression and sustain without it screwing up the attack of notes ...

Maybe chump?

Sorry, had too.

Just kidding.