RIHS!

[coolhandjjl]

Pick of the Ricks has some!

[aceonbass]

I got the last two from Chris' last batch. Sold one on Ebay for $450.00 and the surround from the other one for $65.00. More than paid for the one that's in my 4003MID. Gotta love the Bay

[ram]

If you do FaceBook... you can Like Pick of the Ricks and Chris is usually pretty good about announcing when things like that come in.... Good for you Dane!

[FretlessOnly]

I got one of the new batch; shipped today. A couple of questions:

1. How even is the response across strings? Do the magnets reflect the radius of the fingerboard (by that, I mean a '72 4001 fingerboard; not sure how a V63 or C64 might differ)?

2. Does the pickup adjust with a similar screw mechanism to standard bridge pickup mechanisms? In other words, raise the pickup and you also raise the shoe? I'm concerned about string clearance b/c I prefer higher action.

Thanks!

[johnallg]

I got one of the new batch; shipped today. A couple of questions:

1. How even is the response across strings? Do the magnets reflect the radius of the fingerboard (by that, I mean a '72 4001 fingerboard; not sure how a V63 or C64 might differ)?

2. Does the pickup adjust with a similar screw mechanism to standard bridge pickup mechanisms? In other words, raise the pickup and you also raise the shoe? I'm concerned about string clearance b/c I prefer higher action.

Thanks!

1. Even in my experience. The center two pole magnets are higher than the outer two magnets.

2. Yes. The shoes are mounted to the bottom plastic with the coil inside the curved shoes and they all move up or down together.

[FretlessOnly]

Thanks John - this gives me hope!

[aceonbass]

For some reason the pole to pole spacing is a little wider on the RIHS pickups. After installing one in my 2010 4003 MID, I replaced the saddles and notched them so that the strings would pass over the center of the poles. As it was, putting the strings right over the center of the poles would have still positioned the strings a little closer to the edge of the fretboard than I liked, so they're just a bit off center of the poles. I'm using D'Addario Chromes on the bass, which give it a very solid bass/lower midrange kick, which seems to work well with everything I've played the bass on so far. These strings have such a wide range of tones possible that I don't miss the stock RIC nickel rounds that were on it.

[johnallg]

The RIHS on my two V63s are aligned under the strings. With the pics I have here I can't see where they hit on my '04 4003, but IIRC they too are aligned. I can look when I get home.

[coolhandjjl]

The center to center spread on the outer poles of both my 2011 RIHS's are the same as the spread of a bridge hi-gain. The center poles are approx 1.5mm higher than the outer poles.

[FretlessOnly]

All very encouraging. We'll see when it arrives and gets installed in my '72.

Much thanks.

[weemac]

I have at times put washers on the "G" and "E" poles to ensure even response but not on every one I have had....

emac.

[FretlessOnly]

Eden - thanks. I'm not sure exactly what you mean; washers on the poles themselves (effectively widening them?) or something else. I'll see how things turn out before asking for details!

[coolhandjjl]

Sounds like adding small washers is to heighten the outer ones. There is a thread on the Ric factory forum about a bass player in Australia who is having uneven response, possibly from the staggered pole heights.

[songdog]

I was fortunate enough to get a RIHS for my '72 4001 when the RIC Boutique had them briefly a few months ago. I haven't noticed any issues with pole height or spacing. But this pickup is HOT! compared to the vintage toaster!

You might also want the tone pot with the .0047 cap and push/pull bypass switch - I've got the cap and a bypass switch, and there are some tasty tone variations available that way.

Oh, one more thing: the surround that comes with the RIHS can use the existing screw holes for the original surround - if you mount it backwards. Or you can drill new holes (but that's not a reversible mod). The pickup can also be mounted in the original surround, which is what I did.

[aceonbass]

Reversed vintage surrounds just look goofy. Either drill the new holes or use the original surround. I used an original vintage surround on my 4003 MID since I feel the newer vintage style surrounds don't look right.