Buying a rick from a friend need advice

[ricksrick11]

I was going to buy this guitar off of my friend. Just need to be clear on a few things first though. He doesn't know much about the guitar.

It looks like a 330. Is that correct? Also the serial number is F8 7743 so I'm guessing it was made in June of 1995. The pickups look like vintage toaster pickups, but I don't think those came stock on this guitar that year. How can I check to see if they are really vintage toasters as opposed to hi-gains with toaster covers, or knock offs? Also the bridge is slanted a little bit forward. I'm guessing that would be a quick fix adjusting the bridge screws?

Here is the only pic I have http://imgur.com/GcjNN

[Halbert]

Welcome! As far as the pickups being knock-offs, I doubt that someone would replace the stock high gains with knock-off toasters. They could be toaster covers though. I am not certain what the electrical characteristics would be for 90's era Ric pickups though.

[jps]

Stock would be hi-gains but toasters were an option, so they could be original to the guitar. Looking at the solder connections to the pots may give you a clue.

[ricksrick11]

The reason I ask if they are knock off is because the guy who had it first could have parted it before he sold it and replaced the pups with cheap knock offs.

[Ain'tGotNoPokemon]

Dude, look at that 330. If your friend offers a good price, buy it and replace the pickups!

[ricksrick11]

Dude, look at that 330. If your friend offers a good price, buy it and replace the pickups!

The reason I am worried about the pickups is that he's selling it for a considerable amount and it would be too expensive if the pickups were not genuine.

So what I'm asking is what do vintage toasters look like with the cover off, compared to the hi gains with the cover off? I can't find a decent picture anywhere.

[jps]

Do a search on the RRF, there are quite a few photos showing the insides of both pickups; I think there was a recent posting in the past couple of days with an opened toaster.

Without taking the covers off just look at the underside of the pickups, if they are real toasters you will see six magnet slugs about ¼" in diameter sticking out from the bottom of the pickup base plate, if the pickups are hi-gains you will see a long rectangular rubberized magnet along the bottom of the pickup base plate.

[ricksrick11]

Do a search on the RRF, there are quite a few photos showing the insides of both pickups; I think there was a recent posting in the past couple of days with an opened toaster.

Do you know what the thread was about? I can't find it in the search.

[jps]

Here is one:

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=401115

[Ain'tGotNoPokemon]

Dude, look at that 330. If your friend offers a good price, buy it and replace the pickups!

The reason I am worried about the pickups is that he's selling it for a considerable amount and it would be too expensive if the pickups were not genuine.

So what I'm asking is what do vintage toasters look like with the cover off, compared to the hi gains with the cover off? I can't find a decent picture anywhere.

A considerable amount? I'd sternly advise your friend to lower the price, unless it is vintage, and maybe even then too. You don't have to buy his Ric; there are many affordable opportunities.