Hi-Gain changes

[jimk]

It seems to me like there are a couple of different angles in the discussion here: 12 string players and 6 string players, with bass players coming in later on. What one might want on a 12 string Rick just might not really fit the bill on a 6 string. Personally, I haven't been in a rush to swap out my high gains for toasters on my 2009 12 string. With all due respect, remarks about those players desiring the Harrison/McGuinn sound seem to be addressed to 12 string players. And in my case, that's true enough. But as I said, the high gains are close enough for me. After all, I've got TI Jazz flats, my Jangle Box, and my Vox. I think I've got jangle and chime enough. So perhaps installing toasters might be considered as gilding the lily, at least from my perspective.
JimK

[paologregorio]

I just think the Toaster tops look cooler.

[jps]

I just think the Toaster tops look cooler.

You certainly can't argue against this point!

[360girl]

I just think the Toaster tops look cooler.

Point given. They do look cool!

[Clint]

I have experience with Hi-Gains from the '80s and '90s plus Toasters. To me, they all sound pretty similar. What differences there are can be tweaked by set up (strings, pickup height, etc.) or a few judicious twists of my amp's knobs.

And if we're talking about looks, I actually think the Hi-Gain Fibertops from the '80s are the most attractive. I know, I know, I hide my face in shame.

[kennyhowes]

Phase 4: same bobbin as toaster pickups (1990s)

If you'd said "appearance similar to toaster", I'd agree. But in fact it's a completely different bobbin. (Actually two different, as there were both a treble and bass version).

I had no idea! Whaddaya know.

[collin]

I just think the Toaster tops look cooler.

Hi Gains with toaster covers FTW!


(except the bigger magnets don't fit in the vintage pickup routes..bummer).


FWIW, some of the best sounding Rickenbacker pickups I've ever had were the early transitional hi-gains in a 331 I used to own. Just great snarl and cut-through the mix easily.

[8mileshigher]

I just think the Toaster tops look cooler.

Point given. They do look cool!

Yep, I like the look of Toaster Tops. For tone, I like the High Gains on my six strings (and a couple with HB1s) and prefer the Toasters on my Twelvers. The solution as Collin noted, is to Toasterize the High Gains .....

[JakeK]

Rich: the hi gains in your 480 are really powerful.

Collin: are the hi gains in your current 331 similar to the one you mentioned?

I think the reissue hot toasters of 1981-1999 are the best compromise for the toaster sound with high output. I myself actually haven't played toasterized hi gains, so I can't comment.

To anyone who has played both: Is the sound anything remotely close to hot toasters? If not, what are the differences? Which are better to your ears?

[collin]

Collin: are the hi gains in your current 331 similar to the one you mentioned?

Well, they're the original transitional hi gains, but they don't quite have the same magic as the pickups in the last 331 (BG, now Dano's.). My bridge pickup has lower output for some reason, maybe needs a rewind.

[paologregorio]

I have a couple of overwound bridge toasters (14K) (Big Red, Blueboy), that are complete monsters, but that's a whole different story. . .

I also have Ruby and JG WB models with hi gains; they sound just fine, though I'm going to stick a bar magnet under the Ruby's bridge p/up because it's an `82 model with an 8K bridge p/up that needs some more volume.

[kiramdear]

I have a couple of overwound bridge toasters (14K) (Big Red, Blueboy), that are complete monsters, but that's a whole different story. . .

I also have Ruby and JG WB models with hi gains; they sound just fine, though I'm going to stick a bar magnet under the Ruby's bridge p/up because it's an `82 model with an 8K bridge p/up that needs some more volume.

My 320 is from '82 as well. I'm not a fan of really hot pickups and these hi-gains have just the right kind of distortion when I crank them. A really chunky sound - picture The Romantics' "That's What I Like About You". Sweet growly lead tones, too.

[iiipopes]

I'm holding out for RIC to develop "Toasterbuckers."

[deaconblues]

I'm holding out for RIC to develop "Toasterbuckers."

I'd love to see those.

In the meantime, I stuck one of those Firebird mini humbuckers in a hi-gain enclosure for my 330. It sounds really ballsy but a little dark -- I'm still playing with the pot and cap values. Not a traditional Rickenbacker sound, but I've also got a toaster in the bridge position for when that's necessary.

[iiipopes]

I'm holding out for RIC to develop "Toasterbuckers."

I'd love to see those.

In the meantime, I stuck one of those Firebird mini humbuckers in a hi-gain enclosure for my 330. It sounds really ballsy but a little dark -- I'm still playing with the pot and cap values. Not a traditional Rickenbacker sound, but I've also got a toaster in the bridge position for when that's necessary.

Try the newer ceramic version of the Firebird pickup. Very bright, indeed. Use 500kohm pots and a .02 tone capacitor.