NGD 1987 610 JG + question

guitarosaur · Post by **guitarosaur** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:20 pm

Hi everyone,

New member, long time lurker. I've been intrigued by Rics for a long time, but never knew anyone who had one or had the opportunity to actually play one. But I was getting itchy to see if it would be a good addition to my little collection. So after reading lots of posts, I decided to get a 600 series, and a '87 610 in jetglo came my way. It sounds great - kind of midway between my '52 RI Tele and my '64 SG Jr, but with its own cool character. In pristine condition with the original case.

But I have a question about the 5th knob. The middle and bridge positions sound great with everything maxed out. The neck by itself is unusably muddy. In the middle position, it only sounds good when the 5th knob is anywhere from 80% up to 100% full up. Below that it's mud city again. Is that normal? If the guitar has just 2 sounds, they are very cool sounds. It would be nice to be able to have the neck useable too though. Is there a cap cutting off the highs? The tone knob on the neck only goes from dark to darker.

Again, thanks to all who "convinced" me to finally get a Ric!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:44 pm

guitarosaur wrote: But I have a question about the 5th knob. The middle and bridge positions sound great with everything maxed out. The neck by itself is unusably muddy. In the middle position, it only sounds good when the 5th knob is anywhere from 80% up to 100% full up. Below that it's mud city again. Is that normal? If the guitar has just 2 sounds, they are very cool sounds. It would be nice to be able to have the neck useable too though. Is there a cap cutting off the highs? The tone knob on the neck only goes from dark to darker.

I am also of the opinion that the neck Higains are much too muddy to be useable for many "typical" neck pickup applications. Try a 7.4k ohm toaster pickup sometime - there will be a marked difference in clarity and a wonderful sweetness to the tone.

Moped10 · Post by **Moped10** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:30 pm

I am also of the opinion that the neck Higains are much too muddy to be useable for many "typical" neck pickup applications. Try a 7.4k ohm toaster pickup sometime - there will be a marked difference in clarity and a wonderful sweetness to the tone.

How about a replacement of the neck higain but leaving the bridge as is? I'm considering this route myself... I really dig the bridge sound and even the middle, but agree just the neck is a bit murky...

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:17 pm

Moped10 wrote:
I am also of the opinion that the neck Higains are much too muddy to be useable for many "typical" neck pickup applications. Try a 7.4k ohm toaster pickup sometime - there will be a marked difference in clarity and a wonderful sweetness to the tone.
How about a replacement of the neck higain but leaving the bridge as is? I'm considering this route myself... I really dig the bridge sound and even the middle, but agree just the neck is a bit murky...

Absolutely. That's my favorite combination. I love the big fat Ceramic Higain tone at the bridge.

guitarosaur · Post by **guitarosaur** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:20 am

Does anyone know if the tone pots are 300 or 500 MEG? If they are 300s, maybe a 500 would let more high end through?

And here's a picture of this cool guitar

: 87 610

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:41 am

The pot values have varied through the years - trying a 500k is a good place to start! Many here do this mod to their 650s, which are equipped with the dark-sounding Rick HB-1 Humbuckers.

Ontario_RIC_fan · Post by **Ontario_RIC_fan** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:00 am

guitarosaur wrote: And here's a picture of this cool guitar
87 610 1 sm.jpg

Very nice guitar! I have one just like it from January 1991...

Have you tried it with a few different amps?

guitarosaur · Post by **guitarosaur** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:17 am

I use my 2 amps and the neck is still muddy - Vox AC15 Handwired, mahogany cab , Celestion Blue speaker; and a Victoria 20112 Tweed Deluxe also with a Celestion Blue.

Rickissippi · Post by **Rickissippi** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:47 pm

guitarosaur wrote:The middle and bridge positions sound great with everything maxed out. The neck by itself is unusably muddy.

Try it with everything *not* maxed out. Not only is the tone knob your friend, but rolling back the primary volume knob for that pickup gives you many other options.

I love the neck pickup on my 360. What are your amp settings / what kind of amp?

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:46 pm

Welcome aboard the RRF, Randy, and I hope you enjoy that six hundred series !!
JetGlo's are very cool !

guitarosaur · Post by **guitarosaur** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 2:05 pm

Thanks for the welcome, 8Miles. It is a great guitar - I gave up a 1958 Gretsch 6124 Single Annie to get it!

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:00 pm

sloop_john_b wrote:
guitarosaur wrote: But I have a question about the 5th knob. The middle and bridge positions sound great with everything maxed out. The neck by itself is unusably muddy. In the middle position, it only sounds good when the 5th knob is anywhere from 80% up to 100% full up. Below that it's mud city again. Is that normal? If the guitar has just 2 sounds, they are very cool sounds. It would be nice to be able to have the neck useable too though. Is there a cap cutting off the highs? The tone knob on the neck only goes from dark to darker.
I am also of the opinion that the neck Higains are much too muddy to be useable for many "typical" neck pickup applications. Try a 7.4k ohm toaster pickup sometime - there will be a marked difference in clarity and a wonderful sweetness to the tone.

+ 1 !!!

guitarosaur · Post by **guitarosaur** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:51 pm

If I swap a toaster in the neck, how does that affect the "middle" sound with both pups? I really like the strong mids balanced with the bark of the bridge with the current 2 HG setup.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:13 pm

Randy, I should have time tomorrow to make a quick video for you. My '68 330 has the combo we're talking about.

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum