Mike Campbell Pick-Ups

[jcreasy]

Somebody on here posted in the NAMM discussion that Mike Campbell uses "Firebird" pickups that are slipped under the Rick covers... Is that true? If so, I'd like some details...

I ask this because (don't shoot me here) one of my favorite tone guitars is my Chandler 555 with 3 Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers. It hits that balance between a hot strat with some bell tone, and that Rick jangle. I'm wondering if I can do something similar with my 360 Rick? (It is not a collector model or anything... Just a straight up 90's model in JetGlo).

Any help or feedback?

Thanks in advance,

JKC

[electrofaro]

Even if that not true, I got a dead HB-1 on my way, and should be able to find a mini humbucker at work to see if this would fit.

[jcreasy]

Please do. I am really looking for that tone, and I seem to be able to dial in the Chandler better than the 360... Of course, the 360 plays much nicer, looks much nicer, and is finished much nicer...

But that Seymour Duncan set up is just about perfect for what I want... Replacements (Westerberg) meets REM (Buck) meets Smithereens (DiNizio) meets Howes meets Mike Campbell meets Zander (with his solid body Rick) meets The Jam (Weller) meets The Smiths (Marr). Kinda grabs the jangle and the clip/crunch... If that makes any sense at all.

JKC

[ken_j]

If I recall right this pic was posted by Chris Walla.

[electrofaro]

Thanks for posting, Ken... that symbol on the PUs looks quite familiar!

[jcreasy]

Thanks, guys.

Next question... Converting a 360 to a 370? Drill/Router speed super slow and is there bracing up underneath the middle? I may not need to drill in to accommodate the pole pieces... Correct?

Regards,

JKC

[electrofaro]

This photo by PW shows the routing of three pick-ups well (note, 21 fret model):

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=379871&start=60

A picture of 24 fret:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3362/3187 ... dc85_z.jpg

There's no bracing, you encounter the neck!


I been wondering how these humbuckers are installed on MCs guitar...
http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/SDSM-1dim.jpg

[ken_j]

...I been wondering how these humbuckers are installed on MCs guitar...
http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/SDSM-1dim.jpg

The covers may have been removed and trimmed leaving just the top to fit inside of the Rick bezel.

[jcreasy]

Werner and Ken,

Putting those Seymour Duncan's in is what I am proposing to do... From the earlier PIC of the FireGlo, it looks like they fit... It doesn't appear the covers were removed or trimmed. But you reference Mike Campbell's guitar... Is there something I am missing here? Is his different or look different?

Thanks,

JKC

[weemac]

...I been wondering how these humbuckers are installed on MCs guitar...
http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/SDSM-1dim.jpg

The covers may have been removed and trimmed leaving just the top to fit inside of the Rick bezel.

That would be correct. Years a go I got a 4001 that had a Seymour Duncan firebird pickup (actually it was their 4001 replacement, but its the same thing) sort of squished into the Rickenbacker cover. It was a poor fit. Modifying the Duncan covers would do the trick....

Eden.

[weemac]

HB-1 pickups wired in parallel rather than series may yeld a similar sound to the firebird pickups......

Eden.

[jcreasy]

Eden,

Can you tell me how it was a poor fit and what modifications you'd suggest to the covers?

Thanks,

JKC

PS Will check into HB-1's as well.

[weemac]

The Rickenbacker cover is tapered a little as you know and while the firebird pickup will fit into the Rickenbacker cover it will be a squeeze to get it to sit flush with the top and look tidy.
If I remember the corners of the firebird pickup are too square, so perhaps they just need a little trimming (remove them from the pickup first, which will require a soldering iron and stuff)

Eden.

[jcreasy]

Thanks, Eden. I am at the office now, but you are saying the insides of the rounded/radius'd corners of the Rick pick-up? I've got one hanging on my wall with toasters in it and I think I see what you are talking about. My Chandler, with the Seymour Duncan's is at home.

One other question... If I like the Duncan's in my Chandler, and replicate that circuit in the 360... How close to the sound do you folks think I will get?
The 555 is a solid body (ash, I think. The website says alder but the finish is translucent it sure does look like ash to me). The 555 is thicker than a Fender.

I have a pretty discerning ear, but I can't hear the grass growing (as some people claim). I'd just hate to spend this time and money on a project that ends up sounding totally different.

Thanks, again,

JKC

[electrofaro]

How close to the sound do you folks think I will get?

If I compare my Elite Epi LP to my Elite Dot both with same PUs... the solid body has more sustain but also more highs, your 360 might be a bit warmer sounding but lack a lot of sustain. (I'm not a person who thinks sustain is the holy grail in every song)

Anyway, if you do convert, please post a video of the sound!