Ric sighting....and an online Iron Maiden lesson...

[Bighouse]

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/839494/ba ... on_maiden/

[s4001]

Don't let a hard core Maiden fan see him doing that with a Ric and three fingers.

[FretlessOnly]

Being outside the loop, lemme ask, is the "right" way to use a pick?

[marc61]

Yeah but, great Ric tone right there. So unmistakable

[jc-sz]

Nice technique, I also use those 3 fingers (plus adding the thumb these days for some chords and arpegios) only not in such an orderly fashon, I'm more of the "whoever wants to go next" kind... lol

Nice video!

Cheers

PS: Anyone else tried installing the neck pup on top of the pickguard? I've got a toaster that I just can't get to sound as loud as the bridge pup which I cant lower any more... looks weird, but might do the trick... suggestions?

[gearhed289]

Being outside the loop, lemme ask, is the "right" way to use a pick?

No, that would REALLY be sacrilege!

I don't know a whole lot about Steve Harris' technique, but I'm assuming he is strictly two fingers.

[blueflamerick]

I don't know a whole lot about Steve Harris' technique, but I'm assuming he is strictly two fingers.

No, no, no. Steve is well known for the 3 finger gallop technique.

[whojamfan]

Nice technique, I also use those 3 fingers (plus adding the thumb these days for some chords and arpegios) only not in such an orderly fashon, I'm more of the "whoever wants to go next" kind... lol

Nice video!

Cheers

PS: Anyone else tried installing the neck pup on top of the pickguard? I've got a toaster that I just can't get to sound as loud as the bridge pup which I cant lower any more... looks weird, but might do the trick... suggestions?

-Remove the pickguard
-Take the neck pickup out
-Remove(carefully)the 4 bolts and nuts that hold the cover to the base
-Turn pickguard so the underside is facing upwards and carefully place(drop) the pickup in.
-Thread in the adjustment screw, just as it was, but all of the way(so the pickup is flush with the guard)
-Put the nuts that came off of the bolts on the adjustment screws as far as they will go.
-Place the remaining nuts and bolts on the bottom of the pickup, as you can't lose them being stuck to the magnets.
-Replace pickguard
-100% reversable and free!

This will make the pickup go signifigantly higher than it before, and can be easily blended with the bridge. I did this on my 4003AFG when I replaced the new hi gain neck pickup with a neck toaster, as I had the same balance problems volume wise. I thought giving up the adjustability of the pickup might be a bad thing, but I haven't had a need to whatsoever.

Hope this helps

[jc-sz]

-Remove the pickguard
-Take the neck pickup out
-Remove(carefully)the 4 bolts and nuts that hold the cover to the base
-Turn pickguard so the underside is facing upwards and carefully place(drop) the pickup in.
-Thread in the adjustment screw, just as it was, but all of the way(so the pickup is flush with the guard)
-Put the nuts that came off of the bolts on the adjustment screws as far as they will go.
-Place the remaining nuts and bolts on the bottom of the pickup, as you can't lose them being stuck to the magnets.
-Replace pickguard
-100% reversable and free!

This will make the pickup go signifigantly higher than it before, and can be easily blended with the bridge. I did this on my 4003AFG when I replaced the new hi gain neck pickup with a neck toaster, as I had the same balance problems volume wise. I thought giving up the adjustability of the pickup might be a bad thing, but I haven't had a need to whatsoever.

Hope this helps

Thanks a lot!! I'm going to try it when I change my strings. I've got a neck toaster too (factory installed).

Cheers!!

[FretlessOnly]

Mike, that's a fantastic tip. I'd love to get a vintage toaster for my 4003FL and do this. Should I get a guitar toaster or a bass toaster (I've been told the guitar toaster is better for this mod because of the screw base, but perhaps your version changes things)?

And as far as fingers go, yeah, I'm very anti-pick. Just seems wrong on a bass; especially an FL.

Yeah, OK, McCartney, Squire, etc. I get it...

[johnallg]

I thought giving up the adjustability of the pickup might be a bad thing, but I haven't had a need to whatsoever.

There is always the volume controls to adjust balance between the pups after your mod. Good post.

[whojamfan]

As I understand it, the only difference between the guitar and bass toaster is the bass toaster has threaded height adjustment screwholes, where the guitar one does not, as it is screwed directly in to the guitar and not suspended in the pickguard. I would go with the bass toaster, just because the threads will keep the cover on the base better and not allow the height adjustment screw any room to wiggle or rattle. I don't know if this would be the case, as I didn't try it.

I was almost worried that the neck was too loud, or maybe too close to the stings, but the most overdone pick hits and slap pull/pops won't make it hit the cover, at least on mine. If you find the pickup slightly too high this way, but too low without removing the cover bolts, get some of that surgical tubing Fender sells as an alternative to the springs for pickup adjustment, and carefully cut off a small piece with a razor blade. I tried cutting a Rick vintage pickup grommet in half, but found it is the same as leaving the bolts in, so start with a piece about half that size. It may take a little goosing, but is still dirt cheap and 100%reversable.

With a little raising of the bridge pickup, now I have that solid hitting bridge tone, super clean solid neck tone, and the most usable middle pickup tone of any instrument I've ever owned. I can leave both volume knobs allthe way up with no balance problem whatsoever. Now if I just knew how to play it

John, I was really bummed we didn't get to hook up when I was near you, as I had the bass with me. I was really hoping to get an experts opinion on how it played and this mod. Oh well, hopefully some power hungry warehouse manager won't leave me sitting all weekend for being ONE minute late next time. Egadz!

[henry5]

I don't know a whole lot about Steve Harris' technique, but I'm assuming he is strictly two fingers.

No, no, no. Steve is well known for the 3 finger gallop technique.

Actually, I have an interview with Steve where he says he actually only really uses 2 fingers, although everyone thinks he uses 3.

[johnallg]

John, I was really bummed we didn't get to hook up when I was near you, as I had the bass with me. I was really hoping to get an experts opinion on how it played and this mod. Oh well, hopefully some power hungry warehouse manager won't leave me sitting all weekend for being ONE minute late next time. Egadz!

Mike, you handled it better than I would have! Yeah, I was just thinking about our missed hookup Friday. You get around the midwest alot and we'll have another chance.