Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I installed a set of higain pickups that I converted with toaster covers. I have posted a cross-thread in Sérgio's section detailing the process I used. This has brought a whole new sound and look to this 650.

Nice work Ken, she looks great.

Looks really nice!

That guitar looks familiar for some reason.

How long did it take you, and how much do you charge ?!?!

I did this over a few days as I needed the measurements to make the pole pieces. The bobbins on the older pickup I used for proof of concept was thinner. Also this would require some sort of shimming to hold it in place in the new toaster cover. I don't know what year they changed. Your pickups may be different. Also I had to wait for the glue to come in. Total working time was less than 2 hours including installing them in the guitar, excluding the lathe time. I think if I were to do any more I would machine a fixture to make the pole pieces from flat head screws. That way I would not have to drill out the bobbins completely, but still keep the magnetic field as wide as possibly. Sérgio wrote me that using the 1/4" pole pieces would make the pickup hotter than it was to start. I have nothing to compare it to until I connect up with another higain equipt Rick (hint for Krick). As far as charging to do this I have no idea also I am no expert this was my first attempt. I paid $28 plus tax at my local Rick dealer for the covers. I will say that the most tedious part was not breaking the delicate wires. I would recommend securing them with tape. I would also tape the portion of the bobbin that fits through the toaster slots so as not to scratch that surface up.

Looks great - a sweet guitar!

Nicely done, Ken!

Thanks for this information Ken. In fact your very detailed post is very encouraging to me. I have a couple of hi-gains that I have been considering converting for some time now.