Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

A question for Mark, or anyone else knowledgeable on this subject: what factors (along with scale length) determine the placement of pick-ups on any given guitar or bass body? I've seen some unusual pick-up placement configurations on a couple of the Hofner bass models (the Cavern model, and one other, I think) and it got me to wondering what all went into the decision making process.

It's hard to imagine that it's a simple "cut and dried" aspect of electric guitar/bass luthiery. I guess it can be a bit complicated, whether your dealing with just 1 pick-up, or 2, or 3.

Can anyone provide some insight on this?

The IDEAL location, placement of the pickup, IMHO, is at the "harmonic" intervals between the last fret of the body and the bridge saddles. Any other references, anyone??? AL A.

This is an interesting question, especially regarding the Rick 360 models. The pickups are closer together on the guitars with 24 fret necks than they are on the guitars with 21 fret necks. My guess is that there's less variance between the tonal and volume characteristics of the guitar, particularly with the 3-way switch centered and both pickups on, if the pickups are closer together. Therefore, even if one were to switch out higains for toasters on a new 360, which I almost did, the sound of the older guitars wouldn't be replicated.

Michael: My only experience with changing pickups is with a 24 fret, Model 350. I replaced the high gains with toasters and the sound of a vintage Rickenbacker 350 is clearly present. I understand the logic of your argument but, in my case, I was pleasantly surprised and would recommend it to anyone. I would conclude that others would notice the same changes. I also rewired the guitar to give the middle pick a separate volume control which also increases the range of sounds for this instrument.

Since we are, sort of, on the topic: Does anyone know why Ric moved the neck pickup on the 4000 series bass? I've been considering having mine moved to the same location as the "V" and "C" series. (closer to the end of the fretboard) I just cannot get any 5th fret harmonics out of this bass with the pickups where they are. Looks to me that they had it right the first time.

Bingo !