650D pickup adjustment

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Sun Oct 28, 2001 3:09 pm

I'd like to adjust the pickups on my new 650D to address the fact that the bridge pickup is a tad quieter than the neck unit. If I loosen the middle screws on the bridge pickup, the bass side lifts a little, but the treble side doesn't budge; similarly, trying to lower the neck pickup doesn't work, as the middle screws appear to be as tight as they'll go. It's as if the pickups are binding in their cutouts - any clues as to how to free them up without doing any damage?

It might actually end up being a moot point - this is the first two-pickup guitar I've ever owned where I prefer the bridge pickup for rhythm, and the neck for lead! I'd still like to know how to adjust them, though......

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Oct 29, 2001 10:57 am

Because Rickenbacker guitars do not have the wide adjustability that Fender or Gibson guitars have you need to start by setting the bridge pickup .

Press ALL of the strings down at the last fret (this insures that you won't hit the pickup when you pick the strings) and adjust the treble side until it almost touches the string -say 1/16" away from the string .

You must then get out an amp and plug in and set your volume to a setting that you normally use .
Try and balance the rest of the strings with the already set high E string .This is a compromise ...but it is the best that you can get on either the toaster or the high gain Rick pickups.

With the bridge pickup set .(you will notice the bass side is farther away from the string than the treble side ) set the trble side of the neck pickup .Set this so it's volume is the same as the bridge pickup high E .Flick the selector switch back and forth until you have it set .
Then set the bass side as you did the Bridge pickup.

If you have a third pickup ,you will find the height greatly affects the sound as the middle is wired in tandom with the neck pickup ....this is a feature that some players do not care for and they want more flexability .See headings under that subject or what to do with the 5th knob headings.

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Mon Oct 29, 2001 5:07 pm

Thanks, Mark - I understand the principles behind trying to get the relative outputs of the pickups balanced. Problem is that, as I stated in my original post, mine don't move (apart from the bass side of the treble pickup coming up just a tad)!!

I'm using the middle screws, as described in the owner's handbook, but the pickups appear stuck fast in their openings in the body.

bluedave · Post by **bluedave** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:58 pm

I have exactly the same problem, except that I can clearly see that the pickups have clearance. I suspect something else is going on here, and it frustrates me. I just set up my guitar otherwise, and I'd like to get the pickups dialed in.

So, I'm bringing this topic to the top again.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 5:03 am

Dave, on my 650 I had to use a screwdriver very delicately to pry the pickup upward. The p/up is sitting on a foamy rubber and it seems to stick in place after being in position for a time! Then I left the rubber loose for a day to let it take it's expansion. Afterward I was able to adjust the hight of the p/up...of course in accordance with Mark's advice on how to adjust your guitar!!! Dan