Replacing High Gain with Scatter Wound Pickups

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

Moderator: jingle_jangle

User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

Peter: Being a bassist myself, I thought we all thought like that!!!! Image Does your 350 sound brighter or does it have more gain (or both)?
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15133
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Post by admin »

lefty: My 350 sounds a whole lot brighter and I would argue that is has less gain. Not to worry. I just jack up the volume and all is well. Bye the way, I sort of see both sides of the argument.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

Peter: I've talked with other collectors who emphasize on pre-1964 Rickenbackers (Combos, Capris, Tulip-body guitars etc....) who say the older toaster-tops are best out of the pack; do the re-issue scatter-wounds come close to the sound of those earlier pickups, or are they more in line with the mid-late '60's production pickups? My '68 12-string is quite bright but doesn't have the gain of the earlier guitars, but more than its decendants. BTW, it looks like you're laying down a 'stone groove' in that picture man!! Image
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15133
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Post by admin »

lefty: Interesting comment that you have made with regard to the pre versus post 1964 toasters. I would have to say, and I cannot give you an electronic explanation here, that the scatterwounds rival my 1966 toasters on my 450/12. In fact, at present I enjoy the scatterwounds a bit more. It sounds to me like the scatterwounds may be between the pre-1964 and post 1964 sound. Now to find a combo I guess.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

Peter: It is just one of those things you have to hear right when you have the guitars side by side...the Combo 850 I have heard (which is bone stock) will just get up and go---Loud and meaty..all the notes are right there. Not just the Combo models but the old 310-325's, all of the older stuff...they're all hot-rods. Not to disparage other guitars in any way, but it is interesting how most of us seem to go 'retro' in trying to attain our own guitar/bass 'nirvana'(present company included). I will also agree with the others on your own 350--man it HAS the LOOK...!
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15133
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Post by admin »

Glen: I tried the coffee staining technique and two weeks later the tip emerges from the "sludge au cafe" as pearly white as ever. Gotta love the durable finishes that the new chemistry has created. Time to leave it in the sun and see if it breaks down further.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

Peter, how 'bout Motor Oil?? I've never done it, and I'm NOT advising you to try, Image but it may work...it may give you the 'yelloed' effect you're looking for.....
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15133
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Post by admin »

lefty: I appreciate the thought and the unstated cautionary comment. Do you suppose it will affect the Mobil - ity? We may have to refer to it as the Valdez switch.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

HA! The reason I thought of this is my experience from working the automotive industry--I've seen the effects of petroleum products on plastics and thought it worth mentioning...so good luck Peter!!! BTW, Havoline a good time with your 350!!! Image
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15133
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Post by admin »

Thanks lefty. At least I won't have to Shell out too much to give it a try.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

Don't mention it...I hope the project doesn't en GULF you.
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15133
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Post by admin »

Lefty: I looks as if this discussion is going to turn into a MARATHON.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
C._Bourke

Post by C._Bourke »

This is TOTAL sillyness!
User avatar
rkbsound
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 1205
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2002 3:48 pm
Contact:

Post by rkbsound »

I can't HESSCAPE this website. Help me please!
User avatar
leftybass
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5359
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2001 10:23 am

Post by leftybass »

That's what makes this forum such fun and be informative at the same time...discussing even the most ESSO-terric subjects !!!! Image (Sorry guys, I'm just rollin' with it--we'll run out of oil companies soon !!!!)
Post Reply

Return to “"Vibrola" Rickenbacker Technical Forum: By Paul Wilczynski”