Microphonic feedback on new toaster.

scott381 · Post by **scott381** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:11 pm

I bought a new 381 recently (look at the modern Ric topic page for pics and such), and the pickups are making microphonic feedback squeals....especially the neck pickup. I'm playing live with a medium loud drummer and the squeals seem to be getting worse.

Are Ric pups wax potted?

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:36 pm

No, but having it done properly eliminates the high freq. feedback.

scott381 · Post by **scott381** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:11 pm

Good. I'll start looking around for someone to pot my pups. Maybe I'll get another pair from Ric and have them potted, so I can swap'em quick, without having to wait. I'm gigging or rehearsing every week and I love that 381. No going back now!

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:09 am

I've heard if you change the grommets out for the pads that it would help too. Does that sound right Dale?

Cole

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:41 am

Never done that, so I can't say, but a sound post inside the body much like a violin helps to keep the back and top vibrating together and putting foam rubber inside the guitar under the P-ups helps, I've always had the best results with wax potting the P-ups.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:11 am

I get quite a control-able feedback with my 1997. I love it!

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:25 am

Are there any special precautions that need to be taken when potting Rickenbacker pickups? Toasters vs. high gains?

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:57 pm

You have to take the bobbin out and expose the coil wire. This is a very delicate operation so take care. Unsolder P-up, remove screws that hold cover on, remover tape that covers the coil, melt parafin wax in a pan on low heat on stove top, hold P-up bobbin by P=up lead wire, dip in melted wax for several minutes until wax penetrates coil, let dry, retape, reassemble, reinstall, test, be happy, no squeal like a pig.

scott381 · Post by **scott381** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:10 pm

I might try potting it myself.

To Jerry: I also like feedback, and am quite good at controlling it. But I don't like microphonic feedback....where loose windings inside the pickups are causing a super high pitched whine. You can't control it. It's not the strings that are vibrating.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:04 pm

Thank you, I did not know that.