RIC Schematics - Blend Knob

[RutleDirk]

Some of RIC's published schematics show one terminal of the blend pot grounded. I believe this is incorrect for most, if not all 5-control models. If it were wired in this manner, setting the blend fully clockwise would cut the bass pickup out altogether.

Is this an error, or was it originally intended to be wired in this manner?

[nbfanca]

I think it was intended. The idea is that you can preset the pickup balance in the middle (two pickup) position.

[RutleDirk]

I think it was intended. The idea is that you can preset the pickup balance in the middle (two pickup) position.

Yes, that's the concept. If you set the blend control fully clockwise, it attenuates the output of the neck pickup, to some extent. It does not shut the neck pickup off completely, but this is exactly what it would do if the third terminal were grounded.

I have yet to see one that is grounded, yet many of the schematics show it.

The question is, was this control originally intended to be able to attenuate the neck pickup's output completely, or is it simply an error in the schematics?

[nbfanca]

Huh...Next time I open mine up, I'll have to take a look. But unless I misunderstand the question, it seems that it would work either way.

I never use that control (and didn't George - Happy Birthday - Harrison say something about never figuring out just what that knob was good for?). I have considered rewiring it as either a master voume or, since I have a 370, a volume knob for the middle pickup.

[RutleDirk]

It's a head-scratcher. If you look at a new wiring harness from RIC, you can see clearly that the third terminal on the blend pot isn't grounded. If it were, it would most likely be bent down and soldered to the case. I suspect that all 5-control Ricks are wired in this manner, which is why I'm puzzled about the schematics. I'm interested in knowing whether the earliest 5-control models actually had this point grounded.

It's also interesting to note that the dual mono schematic doesn't show this ground.

[nbfanca]

Ok I see what you are saying. Interstingly these schematics

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19502.pdf
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19519.pdf

shows the terminal as open.

While these:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19514.pdf
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19511.pdf
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19512.pdf

shows it grounded.

I agree, it makes no sense to ground the terminal. That leaves you with essentially two volume controls in series.

Sharp eyes for spotting that in the harness picture.

[nbfanca]

ANd for what its worth, I pulled out my 370 and it is definitely not wired according to its schematic.