325 C58 pickups question(s)

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

Moderator: jingle_jangle

Post Reply
1OUfan
Junior Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:55 pm

325 C58 pickups question(s)

Post by 1OUfan »

I asked this on the Rickenbacker Form, but I'd like to ask it here also---
I just got a new 325C58 JG and I've notice that when both volume pots are "full up" the bridge pickup (down switch position) has much less volume than the other two (middle and up positions). I do know that the tone pots are wired backwards, but is it normal for the bridge pickup to be lower in volume than the other two when selected by itself on the C58's?
Is there anything in print showing the relation of the pots and the pickups and how to blend the pickups using the volume pots to get better balance----or is it just a learning curve thing that one gets with experimentation? I love this guitar---it just looks like it's going to take some geting used to "warts and all" :D
Thanks for any help or suggestions you may be able to give me---
Bob
User avatar
tennis_nick
Intermediate Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:56 am

Re: 325 C58 pickups question(s)

Post by tennis_nick »

This is a common occurence anytime you have identical pickups at the bridge and neck position, simply because the string vibrates less by the bridge, ixes would include changing pickup height to even things out.

It could also have something to do with a cap on the bridge pup, but I'm not sure it has one.
User avatar
kiramdear
RRF Moderator
Posts: 9045
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:51 am
Contact:

Re: 325 C58 pickups question(s)

Post by kiramdear »

People will also commonly put in a "hotter" wound pickup in that bridge slot to compensate for the laws of physics.
All I wanna do is rock!
User avatar
beatlefreak
Senior Member
Posts: 6160
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:45 am
Contact:

Re: 325 C58 pickups question(s)

Post by beatlefreak »

The c58 also has the vintage tone cap in line to the bridge pickup, which rolls off output along with the low end.
User avatar
deaconblues
RRF Consultant
Posts: 2390
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:14 pm

Re: 325 C58 pickups question(s)

Post by deaconblues »

My 325c58 was like that too.

Keep in mind also that the neck and middle pickups are wired together. It would be interesting to hear from 325c58 owners who disconnected the middle pickup. Wes?
rickcrazy
RRF Consultant
Posts: 3578
Joined: Thu May 30, 2002 4:11 am

Re: 325 C58 pickups question(s)

Post by rickcrazy »

Addressing that particular issue with stronger magnets will work wonders. Better leave the coil well alone. :)
Post Reply

Return to “"Vibrola" Rickenbacker Technical Forum: By Paul Wilczynski”