1998 360/6 Mods - Thoughts Please

[abs13]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum, but have owned a '98 360/6 Fireglo for a number of years. Beautiful guitar, but never seemed to get the jangle I associated with Ricks so I lost interest and it has gotten very minimal use. However, having gotten bored with modifying Strats and Teles (a 20-way switch anyone?), I've decided to turn my attention back to the Rick. I want to achieve a more vintage sounding jangle without breaking the bank on "OEM" Rick parts (though I will certainly keep stock parts intact as this will be a vintage guitar for my son one day). I've done a fair amount of research and am planning the following approach. I would appreciate any feedback from those more knowledgeable on Ricks, which seem more art than science compared to Fender.

1. PUP's are hi-gains. I am not going to change these out to vintage toasters or "de-wind", so I've got to work with mods elsewhere.
2. Add the .0047 bridge volume cap.
3. Use CTS 300k pots for V&T and a 500k pot for the mixer. This is as close to the original Rick schematics (4x330k and 1x500k) as I can find outside OEM which I'm not sure I trust anyway. The stock pots are all discontinued PN# 07341 250k's, but all measured in the 180k range. Guess Rick intended the schematics to be the starting point from which reality diverges.
4. Use D'Addario Chromes flatwound extra lights.
5. Adjust PUP height accordingly.

Am I on the right track?

[jdogric12]

Welcome Brent. If you want brightness and jangle, use roundwounds and just break down and get toasters. That's all you need.

[Clint]

As far as pickup height w/Hi-Gains, try lowering them. I've always prefered the sound of Hi-Gains screwed down as far as they'll go. I think it takes some of that harsh edge off, giving a more open, airy sound. Maybe not so much jangle but more of a twangy-chime. I also agree with jdog, roundwounds are the way to go. Flatwounds on a 6 string will give you more of a dull thunk.

[ken_j]

Welcome Brent. Going with 500k or 1M pots for volume controls will brighten the pickups, the lower you go more treble will bleed off. Toasters is probably the answer but remember vintage 360's are 21 frets and modern ones are 24, so this makes a difference on pickup placement.

[JakeK]

Welcome Brent. I agree with Jdog, rounds are the way to do it. The brightest flats out there are Tomastik-Infeld .010 gauge, and they will work with toasters, but rounds are the way to go with Hi-Gains. D'addario flats are thunky, not like TIs at all. D'addario flats are perfect for a 325, giving the John Lennon clunk, but for what you want to do, no way.

[electrofaro]

Welcome Brent - just forget those round characters, it's good to be flat! Go for Thomastik-Infeld flats!

[abs13]

Thanks, everyone! I think this will be fun to try and I'll post results in a week or so.

[trosse]

Welcome Brent. If you want brightness and jangle, use roundwounds and just break down and get toasters. That's all you need.

hmmm... and a Janglebox maybe... Then you won't need the toasters.

[ken_j]

hmmm... and a Janglebox maybe... Then you won't need the toasters.

Good point. A Jangle Box is a given.

[Ivan3000]

I'd say your doing well...going for vintage sound! Nice!