Rubber Pad vs. Rubber Grommets on 660-12

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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jholcomb
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Rubber Pad vs. Rubber Grommets on 660-12

Post by jholcomb »

Anyone have any idea why Rick used foam rubber pads under the toasters as opposed to rubber mounting grommets? Has anyone converted their 660-12 to rubber grommets?
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Post by admin »

The foam pads are better at reducing feedback than the rubber grommets John, at least in my experience. Also, some find that it is a neater looking appearance as it hides the routed out area under the pickup as well. I prefer the older look and switched the foam pads on my Model 350 to the grommets.
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Post by jholcomb »

Thanks, Peter. I'll probably leave the foam pads alone. I prefer the look of the rubber grommets, also, but I don't know if it's worth switching.
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Post by admin »

John: I would argue that you will not notice a great difference in terms of the feedback.

If you like the grommet-look better then I would use that as the guiding principle. Go for the grommets. The pads are of good quality and you can always put them back if you don't like the change.
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Post by jholcomb »

Forgive me for sounding stupid...but I've never switched them out before...how much hassle is it, do the toaster tops come flying apart when you take them off?
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Post by admin »

It is no hassle at all. Only two screws for each pickup.
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scoobster28
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Post by scoobster28 »

Careful you do not get the grommets to fall in the sound hole, or you will have quite a challenge getting them out.
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Post by jps »

"You probably want two grommets under each side of the pickup"

Will one Wallace and one Gromit do instead?Image
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Post by jholcomb »

Well, it's a 660-12, so no worry with a sound hole!
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Post by rick12dr »

Uhh, Peter, there are SIX grommets under a toaster....
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Post by doctorwho »

... as there are on my 370/12v64:

Image
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Post by jholcomb »

Two or one under each screw?
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Post by rick12dr »

One under each screw.Actually, ,looking from above the PU, the Middle screw is the one that holds the PU onto the guitar.The ones in the corners are small machine screws that have a nut underneath, so the grommets on the corners center under the nut.FWIW, to the unenlightened novice Rick fan, a first glance at the grommet may make you think it's 2 grommets, but I think of them as more like tiny black bagels....
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Post by jps »

Now I'm hungry!
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Post by admin »

Don: You are absolutely right. You were right all along and I was wrong. Six grommets under each toaster is the convention. On my 350 I just put them under the middle screws for a period and it looked fine to me.
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