1990 620 FG and humbuckers?

[harquahalas]

So I just got turned on to Rics when I sold my Fender Jaguar on Craigslist a few weeks ago. The guy that bought it heard my music, and said I needed to be playing a Ric. A couple days later, I bought his '07 330 JG and I am completely hooked. I ended up getting a 620 FG at Guitar center, 1990, near mint except for a chip in the finish that happened after GC got there hands on it. The wood is amazing, in my opinion. It has a lot of flaming that I can't find an equal to in my image searches on Google.

Anyway, I'm going on too much. I wanted to be more versatile, and I can't afford to hang on to more than 2 Rics at present. So I was in the market for a 650a, but I really like the binding and the Ric-o out on the 620. So, I picked up some used 650 pickups on Ebay, and plan to put them in the 620 and sell those pick-ups. I know some will say not to change the guitar, does anyone see this as a sound concept? I know the necks are different.

Here's a nice bonus for me. I recently got a new drummer who flaked out. The guy I bought the 330 from, is now playing drums I also ended up trading the JG for his '95 FG. I love the Fireglo Rics!!!

[arbiter]

I really want a 620 with humbuckers as my next guitar. I also like the binding and fretboard of a 620 better than a 650, but want humbuckers for the more hard-rock stuff I like to play. Sounds like you have a sweet setup

[harquahalas]

Happy to see someone else feels the same way. Everyone I've asked locally says to leave it alone and buy a 650 if that's what I want. Ha. Ha.....but that's not what I want. I want the sound of a 650 and the look and feel of a 620.

[steambyrd]

Others here can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the humbuckers will fit in the same space as your stock hi-gains without modifiying the guitar. If that is the case, go ahead and change the pickups, but keep the originals if you can afford it. That way down the road, if you re-sell the guitar, it will be worth more put back to "stock" than with your pickup modifications.

[harquahalas]

Yeah! I called Rickenbacker, and they said they'll fit without mods. I'll have to see if I can afford to keep the originals, but if I like the HBs, I don't see myself ever getting rid of it. I've got a 2001 340 FG that I thought might replace my 330, but I will probably sell the 340 and keep the 330. The 340 is mint, and if anyone is looking for one, I'll try to get some pics up.

[harquahalas]

Anyone know if the wiring is different for HBs and HGs? Looks like the Buckers have 4 wires instead of 2.

[ken_j]

Wiring is the same. The HBs will come with the two proper ends terminated. You can find schematics for the guitars and the pickups indpendently at http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19521-HB1%20Wiring.pdf and http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_g_schematics.asp.
This will still be a total different animal that a 650. The 650 has a wider neck with jumbo style frets.