Low output on my old basses

[frode]

Hi.

I have used my new 2009 fireglo for a while now and I´m very satisfied with the sound. After some month I decided to use my 1975 and 1984 model again, but was disappointed because of the low output on both of them:(

What should I do? Change all electronics and pups?

[woodyng]

greetings,maybe you could use a stronger amp? the lower output on some of the older basses seems to be the key to the "clearer" vintage sound,versus the hotter newer pickups,so it depends on what sound you might prefer. i like the older weaker pickups,myself.

[cjj]

Yes, the older pickups have a lower resistance reading because they have fewer windings. This will also mean lower output. Generally fewer windings give a clearer sound than hotter pickups with more windings.

I've always wondered why they decided to add windings and get the output levels higher. I mean, what, did they stop making amplifiers that amplify lately? The "cure" for older low output pickups is to turn the amp up and use it to get the output you want. I'm guessing part of the reason for the trend to make pickups hotter is to compete with active pickups and such. People perceive that there must be some problem when they don't get a lot of output from the pickup. Some modern amps probably account for this and expect a higher input level too. I have a Peavey amp from the 80's that has a high gain and a low gain input for just this reason, low gain for active pickups, high for standard.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

my '73 deluxe pickups in my '64 kick *** as far as gain. my friend in mississauga,ontario, compared his '74 geddy model with mine and he was surprised his had half the gain. could be the rubber magnet structure is weak or the coil has a short or was just wound weak. i bought some rubber magnets from radio shack 10 years ago that were the same size as the the '73 basses . i believe they are discontinued now as i haven't seen them for a while.

[ken_j]

Pickup magnets do get weaker with time. I have seen a '72 that the pickup magnets lost their strength to the point that they need to be replaced.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

correct me if i'm wrong...the '72 and earlier rears had a smaller magnet structure than the '73 onwards ,yes ? my '70 has a smaller one and i've seen some '72 basses with the same smaller structure. i have both designs for '73 screw and rivet pole with the larger or current rubber magnet sizes.

[ken_j]

I know they were different for certain years. You may want to ask Sérgio as he is the in house expert.

[johnallg]

Ron, I believe your timeline is correct, in general. I say in general because with Ricks there are no absolutes. Some instruments spent more time in-factory and trickled out later and cause the time of change line to blur. This is true with all changes made over the years.

[rickaddict]

Ron, I believe your timeline is correct, in general.

+1

[teeder]

Another +1.

Also, I would be interested in one of those magnets you have if you care to part with one.