380L -- Piezo or not?

[libratune]

Here's the official RIC description of the 380 Laguna: http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=380L

There is a piezo (PZ) pickup option for this model with an extra set of PUs under the bridge saddles -- "the PZ option adds six saddle-mounted pickups and active circuitry."

How can you tell from looking at a 380L whether it has the piezo option or not? Does the PZ v. non-PZ bridge look different?

Any help appreciated.

[clementc3]

Hi Ron -

I haven't seen one in person but I have deduced the following from way too much time on the internet when I should be working (!) - the bridge and the backplates are different on the PZ and non-PZ versions. Some photos from the register (and note that I might have things bass-ackwards, or worse):

The non-PZ bridge has "typical" Schaller rollers under the strings like you see on the 650 models:

C88958 380L non-PZ bridge

The none-PZ backplate looks like a rounded jelly bean:

C88958 380L non-PZ backplate

The PZ bridge has square metal pieces under the strings:

0402888 380L-PZ bridge

T16706 380L-PZ bridge

The PZ backplate is a six-sided spaceship shape:

0402888 380L-PZ backplate

There is a recent addition to the register, S/N 0113642 which sold on ebay and which the seller said in a non-PZ 380L; however, it looks like it has a six-sided backplate, and the square under-string bridge pieces which means that it might actually be (or might have been in the past) a PZ model.

Corrections, clarifications and enlightenment from more knowledgeable members will be welcome!

[johnhall]

I don't recall there being different back plates between piezo vs. non-piezo models. However, you have to remember that the 380L came out long before the piezo option was envisaged, so it wouldn't surprise me if we changed it to accommodate the electronic module, using the one plate for guitars from that point forward both with or without the option.

Also, there are two types of piezo saddles; the first type had round sintered stainless steel humps as string saddle points and piezo elements, while the second type was a rectangular affair, as shown in the photos above. Both were produced for us by L.R. Baggs.

[clementc3]

Mr. Hall, thanks for the additional information!

Sorting the 380s in the register by manufacturing date shows "Jellybean" backplates through 1996 and six-sided backplates from 1998 on, with no "jellybeans" at all from 1998 on. A six-sided backplate therefore doesn't tell us anything about PZ or non-PZ, only that it was made some time after 1996. A "jellybean" backplate would mean an earlier (sometime before 1998) manufacturing date, and thus probably a non-PZ guitar.

The under-string bridge components may be the only reliable external indication, rollers meaning non-PZ and anything else (rounded or rectangular, but not rollers) meaning PZ.

[krick]

Would the number of output jacks be a reliable indication of the electronics?

My 1995 380L has a single jack while my 1999 380L PZ has dual jacks.

Were dual jacks only used on PZ equipped versions?

[clementc3]

Prompted by krick's question above I looked again at the 380Ls in the register and I see that S/N C98837 was made in 1996, has a "jellybean" backplate, AND has a piezo bridge, two output jacks and "piezo" in the website listed in the Comments section. So the backplate is not a good indicator of PZ/non-PZ.

S/N 0113642 (mentioned in my post above) has two output jacks but was described as non-PZ by the ebay seller.

0113642 380L non-PZ jackplate

Upon looking at the photo of the bridge again I think like it might have rollers which would be consistent with the seller's "non-PZ" description; if so, the number of output jacks isn't a good indicator, either.

0113642 380L non-PZ bridge

[libratune]

Thanks for your comments and observations. I have a 380L dating to 2003 with the PZ option. The only external difference, as John Hall pointed out, is the bridge saddles. Here's as good a photo as I could get of the individual string saddles on my PZ bridge:

360L PZ bridge

As the PZ option has "active circuitry," there will be a battery mounted underneath the backplate:

380L Exposed Backplate

Finally, if one looks hard enough in the case pocket, one may be find a copy of the warranty card indicating the PZ option:

380L PZ Card

Thanks for the assistance.

[clementc3]

Thanks for the close-up photo of the bridge!

[Rubsoul]

Would the number of output jacks be a reliable indication of the electronics?
My 1995 380L has a single jack while my 1999 380L PZ has dual jacks.
Were dual jacks only used on PZ equipped versions?

I was browsing the old posts and ran across this 380 topic. I was wondering if the one output was the early non PZ model and the two outputs started when the PZ option was offered. My 2002 is a PZ and has the non-roller bridge, two outputs and the non jelly bean back plate.
I assume the one output functions like a 330 wiring and the dual is similar to Ric O Sound? The 5th blend knob works really great to balance the tone.

You play in through two amps and you have half the band.

[jdogric12]

I had a 380L PZ and I remember the 5th knob doing the blend between magnetic and piezo, but the volumes were horribly mismatched, and the tone got messed with at all points throughout the sweep. The dual output was much better then blending a single output, but even then I always thought the guitar sounded "funny." Just in a general way.

[Rubsoul]

....The dual output was much better then blending a single output, but even then I always thought the guitar sounded "funny." Just in a general way.

Hey Jason,
I too prefer using the dual output's versus one single output. I think the "funny" sound you referred to is the humbucker PU's!
(After all, we all are single coil guys here at "The Rickenbacker Forum").

I feel the HB's lend Rickenbacker's a bit of a different tonal quality. (maybe a little bit of Les Paul)

[manta]

Yes, I was going to chime in that you can look for the dual outputs or open the back and see if there's the plug for a 9V battery. They sound nice through an acoustic amp with the Piezo option switched on. And yes, you get a very different sound from the humbuckers. They aren't at all jangly like the VPs.