RIC Pickup Analysis

[cassius987]

Well, I tried to post a big long story about these and then the browser killed all of my work by dying in the post process. So here goes.

TOASTER (Blue) vs. NORDSTRAND NJ4 IN 3 IMPEDANCE SETTINGS


HB1 (Blue) vs. NORDSTRAND NJ4 IN 3 IMPEDANCE SETTINGS


The images are a bit cut off so here are the direct links:
Toaster: http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/ ... e_coil.png
HB1: http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/ ... l_coil.png

The analysis was done by David Meadows, who wanted to see how these pickups would interact with his preamp.

[cassius987]

Some backstory that hopefully won't get killed by the browser this time: I got an Audere preamp for my 4003 and installed it and it is INCREDIBLE. Even works in stereo. However, the Z Mode did nothing (this is an impedance loader) and I told David at Audere. He had me send him the pickups I use--Toasters only, really, but I sent an HB1 also. These are his results compared to a traditional Jazz Bass single coil. Interestingly, both pickups have a very even response without an high-end peaks. This explains a lot about why the Z Mode does little. David told me that RIC puts an internal shielding in these pickups that creates an eddy current, damping the highs. Intriguing stuff!

[johnallg]

IF (and that is a big if) there is an internal shield, it has to be the HB1 - the single coils do not have one.

[cassius987]

I don't believe David was just inferencing that. In any case the results are right there for you to see--the frequency response is very different.

[deaconblues]

Very interesting...it would be cool to see a Ric pickup against some guitar pickups, like a PAF humbucker and Strat single-coil.

Thanks for sharing!

[johnallg]

I don't believe David was just inferencing that. In any case the results are right there for you to see--the frequency response is very different.

Josh, PLEASE don't take this wrong and I'm not trying to harass you, but my ears already told me the freq responses were different. Did David disassemble the HB1 to find the shield? Just curious. It is interesting to see the actual curves and the comparisons.

[cassius987]

John, this is just for fun. I don't really know how I offended you.

In any case David told me he disassembled the pickup via e-mail. I wasn't there so I can't verify it. I haven't gotten the pickup back yet either, it's in transit.

[johnallg]

Josh, not offended at all; I just wanted to make sure I didn't offend you. The shield would sure help (above the humbucking properties) keep the HB1 quiet, which they are.

[cassius987]

The graphs actually DID benefit me. See, I never knew I had so much disregard for frequencies above 3-4kHz and above on my bass. It so happens that the Toasters I use conform better to that than most J Bass pickups (I played a J for years and was never fully satisfied). This graph and several chats with David caused me to realize it and that will help me look for products in the future because I now have some data to back up what my ears like.

Now that I know this and think about it it makes a lot of sense that I would prefer Toasters. I am always going for 0 tone knobs, that sort of thing... I dislike lots of super-highs in my sound.

I wish I had sent him a Hi-Gain. I think it would have been quite different, considering the construction differences.

[johnallg]

It would be interesting to see the higain curves. I know what I hear as to differences between the 3 designs, but seeing a graph of a higain would be educational.

[cassius987]

Exactly. That's why I wish I'd had a spare to send him.

[rickfan60]

I've disassembled an HB1. No shielding, just two coils, two steel plates acting as poles, a magnet, some circuit board, and some lovely red epoxy holding it all together.

[johnallg]

I've disassembled an HB1. No shielding, just two coils, two steel plates acting as poles, a magnet, some circuit board, and some lovely red epoxy holding it all together.

After reading a PM from a very high authority, I now know Ted has it right. No shields in any RIC Toaster, Hi Gain, or HB pickups. I knew the first two did not, but not having disassembled an HB pickup, wasn't sure. Now we all know.

[weemac]

When a HB-1 is tapped they are just a little noisier than the Higains and Toasters. I suspect that the cover really helps the Higains and toasters withtheir central coils. With one coil of the HB-1 being offset it may not have as much shielding on the inside of the coil (nearest the centre).
Rickenbacker pickups are different but I feel it is the pickup positioning that makes such a difference on Rickenbacker basses.
There are few basses that have the same pickup positioning.
Most basses are largely copied of the sonic footprint of a fender bass. Not that is anything wrong with that but it is nice when someone breaks away from the norm..

Hey!.... I'm babbling...

Eden.

[rickfan60]

Can someone explain the graphs? I am not clear as to what they are telling us.