Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While i was looking at the Ed Roman guitar website the other day I noticed that One of Ed's rants was about a conversation that he had with John Hall about a modular pick-up that will be coming out in the near future. Anyone know what that means or what those are?

Neil: I am not sure, but RIC had a plan in the early 1980s that would have had different pickup configurations mounted on different pickguards.

In this arrangement, changing the guard would also allow for a quick and easy changing of the pickup configuration. That is, two pickups on one guard type and perhaps three on another.

Perhaps John Hall will be able to clarify this should he see your post. It never came to fruition, however. Perhaps Ed is planning such an idea.

After looking back at the website the conversation was made at NAMM in 2002. I guess I'm not really sure what "changing the guard" means. Could someone please exaplain more. Sorry..I'm not to handy with the techs of pick-ups but I am curious on this one. Maybe something new for the 75th Anniversary???

Ed has a big mouth.

That guitar was the 490 that John came up with in the mid '70s.

Don't shoot the messenger John

We know Ed has a big mouth.

THis idea goes back to the Dan Armstrong Ampegs of the late '60s.

There is a guitar on eBay right now at about the $1200. level, which has 3 interchangeable pickguards, each with a different pup configuration. One has 3 Strat single coils, one has two hummers, and one is a hybrid of both.

I don't remember the brand.

Unfortunately, if you're tired of looking at Strats, this one is not for you; it's a Strat clone.

Mercurio has a PRS clone which does the same, except the pups plug in from the back. Dodge does a clone-ish hybrid of Strat and Tele.

If you want a real postmodern eye-opener see:

http://www.teuffelguitars.de

Click on "birdfish", which has interchangeable pups as well.

I'm sure there are others.

But the possibility of high-gains, toasters, hummers on one guitar and easily swapped in a performance situation?

HiToHum. Hideeho.

Wow Thanks for the info Paul! That definetly answers my question. It still is an interesting concept to think about reguarding a RIC. Just think...Toasters and Hi-gains interchangable.

Paul,

Now there is a guitar that is unconventional and mesmerizing. I would love to test drive the Birdfish. Too bad he's in Germany. What a concept.

Fascinating stuff, Paul! How did you find that site? Were you researching guitars or allergies?

Snif...

The dawning of the age of Aerius.

Woah, like Brian said I'd love to try one.

I bet it has quite the unique tone... But the question remains if it sounds good or not!

The biggest problem I can see with the design is that if I put it down after a set, somebody would think it was a lawn chair, and...

I'd like to know where you stick the ignition key in!!