Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Colonel Sanders wrote:

opticnerve wrote:
The HS pickup's tone is spot on vintage & authentic sounding...& of course, the original short pole toaster has THAT sound that we all love!

Is there a big difference of tone between long pole toasters and short pole one? I only heard long pole ones to this day...

Good question. I'd like to know too.

opticnerve wrote: the original short pole toaster has THAT sound that we all love!

I wasn't referring specifically to the sound of short pole toasters, rather to toasters in general.

I'll have to do some A-B comparisons & will report back.

opticnerve wrote:

opticnerve wrote: the original short pole toaster has THAT sound that we all love!

I wasn't referring specifically to the sound of short pole toasters, rather to toasters in general.

I'll have to do some A-B comparisons & will report back.

I guess it may be hard to do some A-B unless you swap the toasters in the same bass. A project that even on my most hyperactive days, I would be too lazy to undertake...

That's very true Jeff, as each of my '60s basses have their own unique tonal qualities.

However, it may be possible to notice certain characteristics that are common between different pickups of the same type.

Guess I'm the "doo-doo in the swimming pool" here, but I find the short pole toasters somewhat anemic...

I'm with you, John. I like the punch of the long pole Toasters.

opticnerve wrote:That's very true Jeff, as each of my '60s basses have their own unique tonal qualities.

However, it may be possible to notice certain characteristics that are common between different pickups of the same type.

Tony, I would not start swapping long/short pole toasters in any old bass - way too risky to the pups and the bass. I like your thought that maybe across a couple/few you may notice certain characteristics.

The long pole toasters always seem to have had more timbre to my ears, with the Gibb bass having the fullest sound from any toaster I've ever heard.

johnallg wrote: Tony, I would not start swapping long/short pole toasters in any old bass - way too risky to the pups and the bass.

Hey John, Oooh, I wince at the thought! I would never consider doing something like that. This may sound weird, but I'm kind of pekish about removing screws if I don't have to.

I would just rather not unless it's absolutely necessary...like to make repairs or for photographic documentation.


I like the tone of the short poles. They're maybe not as rich sounding, but to my ears,they have a bit more clarity than the long poles.

As far as punch, the two pickups in my '67s are pretty strong sounding.

It would be interesting to post sound bites of multiple pickups and have people guess which is which.

Hmmm.... that's an interesting idea, Tony!

wints wrote:The long pole toasters always seem to have had more timbre to my ears, with the Gibb bass having the fullest sound from any toaster I've ever heard.

....And I think I actually have a long pole in my lefty '69. I know short poles are found in most basses from this era, but YMMV. I also love the sound of this neck pickup...

I totally agree Andy,
The thick timbre of the toaster on DH163 was really sweet through the Fender Bassman 100
+ 4x12 I used it with.
That said, DA24 was in the same ballpark when I used that in the re-formed version of 60s band The Casuals in the late 80s-early 90s.

Tony,
Lovely job and a truly gorgeous bass.
Where did you source the bridge/tail?

pag wrote: Tony,
Lovely job and a truly gorgeous bass.
Where did you source the bridge/tail?

Thanks Peter!

I had the tailpiece/bridge in a parts bin...was saving it for a rainy day.

The tail was flaking pretty badly, so I had it re-chromed.

It's interesting. To my ear the short pole balances better with a capped treble pup, horsie or screw pole high gain.
The long pole balances better with an un capped treble pup….

BTW-
Yes Tony, you've got a winner there