Opinions Wanted

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 2:22 pm

This is a question for our esteemed moderator and host, who I think has a 350v63 with a Rick humbucker installed, or anyone else with knowledge of Rick humbuckers who might like to chime in. I am the proud owner of a Monty Brown 350v63, which I love, but although I own several guitars, every one of them have single coil pickups in them, and I would like to try the sound differences in a humbucker for inspiration/songwriting. Can anyone comment on the sound and tone of the Rick humbucker, how it differs from the "Gibby" sound, and what experiences you have with humbuckers in a 350v63? I know the Susanna Hoffs LE has a humbucker, but it is in the middle position, which seems wierd to me, but since the mod would be completely reversible on my 350, I am considering doing it. Comments please?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 3:56 pm

Gene, the SH's humbucker is in the treble position. I did own a SH with the HB in the middle position but it had been modded. In fact, it had been disconnected.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:05 pm

John,
I didn't realize, that makes more sense to me, but then the Hoffs guitars are not so easily found! So what did you think of the sound?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:23 pm

Since only the two toasters were working, it sounded like most RICs. I would love to own a HB equipped 350. The pickups are very quiet. Still sounds like a RIC.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 6:36 pm

I put 3 Rick HBs in my buddies 355JL about 15 years ago, and while it is Not like a toaster equipped Rick, it really sounded great. Totally dead quiet PUs.We wired it as it came soldered up from the factory[the HB PUs ,I mean]as only humbucking functionally.A Rick HB does Not sound like anyone else HBs, Gibson, Gretsch, whoever. Totally in a class of their own. I like them.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 10:54 pm

Hoffs, at one time at least, had humbuckers in both bridge and middle positions in her 350SH.

Squirebass, I tried the humbucker in several positions in my 350 and it sounded best in the bridge position. I also tried several combinations of humbucker, high gain and toaster pickups. At one point I have a humbucker in the bridge, a toaster in the middle and a high gain at the neck.

The problem that I ran into was the noticeable difference in the hum associated with pickups as you went from one to another. In the end, I was not happy combining the toasters and the humbuckers, al a Hoff.

I suspect that having three humbuckers would be the best option. They are quiet, but to my ear at least, did not give the classic sound that I was looking for. In the end, I returned to the toasters.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:27 pm

Interesting, I may have to try that configuration, having three humbuckers... I wonder if I could find three of them pretty easily...and if I have the guts enough to step off the cliff like that, since I love the guitar's jangly toaster vibe too.