More Vintage/Hi-Gain Switcheroo

Mike_D. · Post by **Mike_D.** » Fri May 04, 2001 9:38 pm

Hello Peter. I was caught up over the last few weeks in your scatterwound adventure and read with great interest the postings in the luthier section regarding the pickup switch. I was so enthused by everyones go-for-it attitude about your project, that I too decided to replace the hi-gains (which I don't dislike) on my '99 360/6 FG with toasters, and ordered them today from RIC. I spoke with Henry, there in customer service and he said that all the vintage pickups are now scatterwound, and have been since the end of 1999. (I was hoping that the change would have been earlier in the year and would have covered the turqoise 325v59 I bought about a month ago. [Thanks again, guys, for the advice.] The toasters on that guitar are the hotter ones I guess. But that's quite all right with me; I play that guitar often and really dig the sounds and the way it feels. BTW, the intonation is much better with new strings. RIck 12's.) Anyways, I'm curious as to whether there was the pickup-pad dye problem that was mentioned? And if so, what you did, if anything, about it. I saw the new photo's and the guitar looks great! Good work! I'd also like to mention how much I enjoy participating in the camaraderie here in the forum. Best regards to you and the rest of the gang of Rickheads.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat May 05, 2001 12:12 am

Mike: I am very glad that you are making this switch. I too did not dislike the high gain pickups but I must confess that the "new sound" is the "old sound" that I was looking for with the scatter wounds. I am pleased to tell you that there was no "dye problem" left by the high gain pickup pads. These pads had been on my guitar for about eight years or so. There is a slight difference in the aging of the finish where light did not reach the pad=covered area but the "foot-print" of the toaster is essentially the same as that of the high gain so it is not visible. Also the foam pads seem to be of a very high quality and did not deteriorate to any noticeable degree. I hope that the outcome is the same for you. Please send along a description of your changes and a photo. I am sure you be happy with the result.

Mike_D. · Post by **Mike_D.** » Fri May 25, 2001 7:59 pm

Hello Rickheads! Well...I changed my mind. I played alot of 360/hi-gain guitar for a few days, after I ordered the toasters from RIC, and I like the way it sounds. So I called RIC and cancelled the toaster order. How about that? I still think that the neck pickup is too muddy when it's the only one working, but if I switch on both pups and use the blend knob to back off the neck volume a little it sounds pretty good. I also keep the bass down to 2-3 on the amp. (Fender Deluxe-Reverb) and the vol. at in-the-house practice level and really don't hear any distortion to speak of from the hi-gains. Just good old ringing/chimey Rick sound! I haven't totally discounted making the pup switcheroo, but I think I want to find a 360 w/toasters and do a little comparison listening first. I have the 325v59 after all, and keeping the hi-gains on the 360 gives me a few more diverse sounds to play with. Oh well... P.S. I thought I read that Axel had decided on a guitar, but when I looked for the posting again I couldn't find it. Was I dreaming?

axel · Post by **axel** » Sun Jul 01, 2001 9:21 am

No, you weren't : I did consider one for awhile (beautiful instrument) but finally let it rest -
a. I can't get used to the shortscale,
b. I've never ever had a guitar w/vibrato, I guess I can live without it...

660-12'll definitely be the next one (if the frets are not jumbos - are they ?).