480 De-Mod Project

[IHeartRics]

How does it sound with toasters? I've got a 480 with Hi-Gains and often wondered...

Actually the neck PU is a Ric HB with a toaster cover on it. The bridge PU is a 12K but reads 9.5K??? I got it used some time ago from someone on the Ric web site forum and I suspect someone may have tried to unwind to down to a lower resistance(?). I have the 0.0047 cap in there too. The bridge is chimey, thin, and brittle as expected in this set up. The neck is warm and punchy. Together they sound fantastic. It gets that classic Ric chime with a low end kick and a little added sustain - very Who-ish, especially through my Hiwatt. Add the Rat distortion and think classic Cheap Trick.

[jcreasy]

Hmmm... Here is where it gets interesting (to me at least).

I am not finding the "... voice" on my 480, and I know that sounds so snooty... But I am used to 360s and have tinkered with amps and pick-ups to the point that I am able to switch around and punch in and out of the sounds I want with those guitars pretty quickly.

On the other hand, I don't play the 480 that much and the wiring harness on mine is not stock, so I am kinda lost... Especially, when I swap it in place of a 360 I've been playing earlier in a set.

I may save up some money and try your set-up. Didn't Seymour Duncan make pick-ups to fit Ricks? I've got a Chandler 555 with SD pick-ups that sounds and looks great. Neck is too thick for me, though.

In any event, thanks for the reply.

JKC

[IHeartRics]

I am not finding the "... voice" on my 480, and I know that sounds so snooty... the wiring harness on mine is not stock, so I am kinda lost.... I may save up some money and try your set-up. Didn't Seymour Duncan make pick-ups to fit Ricks?

In any event, thanks for the reply.

JKC

I don't thoink you're being snooty. Everybody's tastes are different from the various toasters, to high gains, to the Ric HB's, to the 0.0047 cap, etc., etc. It took me a while to get the set up I like and frankly I'm not a fan of the Hi Gains as I think they are a little to mid-range for my taste. But I tried the set up I have in my 480's in a 620 and it wasn't the same to me.

It could be the harness so check the values on the pots and caps to see if they are at least the same values as what it should have been. I have a friend that had a semi hollow body that he didn't like the tone so he bought better pick ups and it still didn't help. He tried a new, better quality harness and he said it made a world of a difference.

Lastly, I could be wrong but I think the Seymour Duncans are for the basses, and it still may work, but I'd try the Ric HB first.

BTW I took this 480 out for a test run at a local jam nite and it plays and sounds fantastic.

[Scottone]

Great job restoring your 480.

I picked up a '75 480 recently that is all original except for the tuners (70's Grovers installed). I want to convert back to Klusons....would double lines be the correct version for this guitar?

[IHeartRics]

Great job restoring your 480.

I picked up a '75 480 recently that is all original except for the tuners (70's Grovers installed). I want to convert back to Klusons....would double lines be the correct version for this guitar?

Thanks Scott, but I had help with the wood repair and finish touch up.

As for the tuners for a '75 480, I believe my '75 480 AG has it's original tuners. I'm not sure of your description, but it has KLUSON on the left side and DELUXE on the right side wite the lines in the middle. Hope that helps.

[Scottone]

Sorry, I haven't checked into this thread for a while.

Thanks for the confirmation on the double lines. Just need to find some now....they seem to be sold out on the WD site.

Great job restoring your 480.

I picked up a '75 480 recently that is all original except for the tuners (70's Grovers installed). I want to convert back to Klusons....would double lines be the correct version for this guitar?

Thanks Scott, but I had help with the wood repair and finish touch up.

As for the tuners for a '75 480, I believe my '75 480 AG has it's original tuners. I'm not sure of your description, but it has KLUSON on the left side and DELUXE on the right side wite the lines in the middle. Hope that helps.

[octagon]

Wow! Great job restoring the "Rickenfracker" Chip.

[IHeartRics]

Thanks Mitch. I was fortunate enough to have a friend that could help me with the Bowen Handle patch up. I think he nailed the shade over the plugs well. When your up close you can the "circles", but the rest of her looks so nice your eyes just move away from them and you can't tell. As Doug Henning used to say, "It's an illusion!". I've played out we her a couple times and she plays and sounds great. And the Bigsby stays in tune too. I just need to learn how to use it better.

[octagon]

Thanks Mitch. I was fortunate enough to have a friend that could help me with the Bowen Handle patch up. I think he nailed the shade over the plugs well. When your up close you can the "circles", but the rest of her looks so nice your eyes just move away from them and you can't tell. As Doug Henning used to say, "It's an illusion!". I've played out we her a couple times and she plays and sounds great. And the Bigsby stays in tune too. I just need to learn how to use it better.

That's great Chip,it looks fantastic! I showed your photos to a friend on another forum and he asked what happened to the Bowen handle. Do you still have it? He was looking for one.

[IHeartRics]

Yes I do, Mitch. Send me a PM.

[octagon]

PM sent

[whojamfan]

Looks great Chip!!! How did you put the toaster cover on the HB-1? I tried that years ago and it didn't seem to fit, so rather than force anything, I left it alone.

[IHeartRics]

Looks great Chip!!! How did you put the toaster cover on the HB-1? I tried that years ago and it didn't seem to fit, so rather than force anything, I left it alone.

Hey thanks Mike! It is a very tight fit but I've done it three times now (all 3 of my 480's have this mod). I nurse the cover over it making sure I use very light, uniform pressure. I then put in the bolts at all 4 corners with the nuts treaded on just enough to hold. Then I slowly tighten them down a little at a time in rotaion until they're snug and there is even tension, and I don't crank them down tight. The cover and base don't meet up completely put it's close. I'd bet the casing around the HB-1 pickup could be thinned down for a better fit, but not knowing thick it is I've never done it.

[whojamfan]

I'm getting an HB-1 and have a toaster cover, I might give it a shot if it's just even pressure to put it on. I'm just about to rewire and add this to my new 330 because I'm too stupid to just leaqve it alone

Seriously though, my name is Mike, and I'm a Mod addict(pun inetended!)

[whojamfan]

Ok folks, I have to ask, can the HB-1 be sanded down slightly for a perfect fit, and how would I go about doing that?