More "clank" !

[aceonbass]

Toasters and High Gains are NOT the same. Toasters are 8 ohm pickups with Alnicko slugs and High Gains are 12 ohm pickups with magnetized particles suspended in rubber bars. I have a pair of 620 pickups with the poles removed and toaster covers on them in one of my 4004Cii's. I used 500K pots all around and it, to me anyway, is the perfect Ricky single coil sound.

[qwezirider]

Well then I should be in good shape if that's your opinion of the sound. My pickups on the way came off a 650 and I already have 500K pots installed.

[aceonbass]

Stock 650's have HB1's.

[qwezirider]

I can't count. 350...Liverpool to be precise. I was off by 300.

[aceonbass]

Remember that only '90 up high gains can be unbuttoned. Also, be sure to use the pickup with the wider spacing between the end poles in the bridge position.

[qwezirider]

Hmmm.....they came of an '89. Guess I'm learning as I go. So the pole pieces will not be able to be removed and un-buttoned? Then if there's no room with them on, sounds like they may be going on a Washburn for fun.

[ben_brown]

....but are you guys saying the toasters and high gains are basically the same pickup , sound wise ? Bruce is right about recording .

Toasters and high gains definitely do not sound alike. The high gains are just that...they have higher gain and are hotter than a toaster. A typical toaster has fewer windings and less gain but gives you a cleaner sound....bottom and highs. That's what gives a guitar with toasters it's "jangly" sound. Less bite and cleaner high end. With the right combination of a high gain bridge pup and a toaster at the neck position that's not to "hot" or overbearing, you are definitely in the right neighborhood for Clankery.
Assuming the cap is still in place.

edit....Sorry...didn't realize this thread was about the 4004.....backing out gracefully......

[aceonbass]

My '90 up statement is based on info from Jeff Rath, so perhaps he can CHIME in and be more specific.

[qwezirider]

edit....Sorry...didn't realize this thread was about the 4004.....backing out gracefully......

Just a different plank o' wood.

[aceonbass]

Bruce, if ya wanna put single coils in your 4004, get a pair of new BRIDGE high gains for a guitar. Unscrew the pole pieces and replace with headless Allen screws and put your gold covers on them. I'm VERY seriously considering 4-2-5ing my 4004TR. I'll be removing and replacing the headstock wings in this conversion. Even if RIC put 4004Cii5's on the streets tomorrow, the nut's just too wide for my tastes, so I may as well do this now as I don't have a fiver any more.

[qwezirider]

Dane, if this doesn't work (i.e., '89 guitar pickups cannot have the pole pieces removed and unbuttoned), I will absolutely take your advice. At the moment it was a case of these two being available for the price of one new pickup and worth a shot. Didn't want you to think I had ignored your wisdom, just shooting at a less expensive experiment. If it fails (before even attempting to unbotton the pickups), they can be resold and I'll try the new pickup route.

I'd also love to see how the finish on the "new wing" approach turns out. I've not ruled it out on this 4-2-5 for down the road as it makes perfect sense. Especially if it needs a new transparent color one day.

[VRICKY63]

Uh oh ! My high gains are 1982 guitar pickups . Can not be unbuttoned then . Maybe I'll just put the HB1s back in since I can not remember what they sounded like anymore . I can always pull out the VClank63 . I do get a great picked tone out of the 4004-toaster . Hey ! I was miss quoted back there . Meanwhile the V63 is being routed for P bass pickups .

[aceonbass]

Meanwhile the V63 is being routed for P bass pickups .

Tell me you're kidding..right?

[rickenbrother]

Meanwhile the V63 is being routed for P bass pickups .

Tell me you're kidding..right?

Yeah, really! Why would you do that to any Rick, especially a V63?

[gareth]

I converted my 4000 to a 4001S. I removed the stock pickup and surround and replaced it with a RIC horseshoe and classic toaster in the neck position. Added to that, the new electronics with the push/pull pot, and that thing clanks like you wouldn't believe. The least clanky bass I have is the 4004LK.