Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm learning the power of the blend pot with my new 660/12. Is it practical to add one to my 650D? Is there enough room in the body rout for a fifth pot?

I'm planning on replacing the PG anyways...

No one has considered doing this?

Do you mean... something like this?

I do believe that's it. How did you do it?

I'm using the '5th knob' as a master volume.

If you wan't to avoid having to enlarge the guitar's control cavity, do not buy a factory 325V63 or 620 factory (lower) pickguard. The stock pickguard's 5-hole pattern (6-hole, if you're counting the hole for the toggle switch) won't line-up with the 650's cavity (i.e., you'd need to make room for that 5th knob). Perhaps the fellow from pickguardian.com--who has the templates for both--could make one for you that would fit the existing cavity? The knobs may look a little shifted neckwards or clustered more closely than usual for a RIC... but, since it's 5 knobs on a 650, it's obviously a mod.

Mine are RIC guards. I had no qualms about enlarging the cavity... YMMV.

Also, if you're thinking about having a top/upper pickguard... be advised: even using only 1 of those little rubber grommets (to space them apart) will make the upper pickguard's height almost equal to the height of the strings. You may not like this if you play with a pick.

I gave up on the two level pickguard now that I have the 660/12, and I'm having Tony make a new replacement PG out of black Plexi which should look great with the stock black/silver TRC and silver knobs. Blend sure would be nice to have, but if it involves routing I won't bother.

kenf wrote:I gave up on the two level pickguard now that I have the 660/12, and I'm having Tony make a new replacement PG out of black Plexi which should look great with the stock black/silver TRC and silver knobs. Blend sure would be nice to have, but if it involves routing I won't bother.

Ken - Please post pics when you get the black PG on there - I've been toying with the same idea myself...you've now become my test pilot

Will do - I expect to get it ordered within the week. I was waffling on whether I should go with a beveled or rounded edge - I think rounded will work best on a Dakota.