Kent Armstong toasters

[cobrabobby]

By mistake, I ordered a set of K. Armstong repop toasters from a British shop. I don't know
if they are good/bad but am not going to use them as they are not Rickenbacker and I am going to replace the higains on my 330/12
with the Rick ones. It's a shame, cause they look like good quality pups, well made and a spot on cover. Are these quality
pickups?
Thanks,
Bob

[weemac]

Welcome Bob!
The Kents are probably good quality but will sound nothing like Rickenbacker toasters.
I believe that they are in fact Humbucking (two coils) pickups with a ceramic magnet.
Possibly they will sound a bit like Rickenbackers HB-1 pickups but not as smooth...

Eden.

[cobrabobby]

Eden,
Thanks for the reply. I did'nt look closely at the ad when I ordered them. Seemed too
good to be true, price and availablity wise. I want to keep my 330/12 true to it's
name, and am going to buy a set of real toasters from RIckenbacker soon. The K/A's
can definitely pass for real, looks wise. Jangle on!!
Bob

[soundmasterg]

If you can't find a set of RIC toasters, Jason Lollar sells some that are very close to the RIC ones. They don't have the toaster cover due to trademark reasons but you can get some of those and swap them in. They are listed on his site.

Greg

[cobrabobby]

Greg thanks,
Yes, I do have that option as I have a set of toaster covers if I had decided to convert my
hi-gains but I don't know, are Jason's pickups a good alternative? They are'nt cheap. I can
wait for availability, if that is an issue with Ric. I'm in no hurry. The hi-gains just don't
do it for me. The new toasters from Ric have a nice ring, I've heard them and I guess that
answers my own questions, just want to do the right thing.
Bob

[soundmasterg]

I haven't played Jason's new toasters, but I have played many other pickups that Jason does, and I know him personally and have been to his shop in years past. He is a great guy and makes some very nice pickups, so I'm sure his toasters sound great. Besides, the toaster is very similar to a Strat pickup as far as how it is made, and isn't that hard to make as compared to say a PAF or something. As long as the correct magnets, correct wire type and amount, and bobbin dimensions are used, it will sound in the same neighborhood as a RIC toaster.

Greg

[Redhouse]

I haven't played Jason's new toasters, but I have played many other pickups that Jason does, and I know him personally and have been to his shop in years past. He is a great guy and makes some very nice pickups, so I'm sure his toasters sound great. Besides, the toaster is very similar to a Strat pickup as far as how it is made, and isn't that hard to make as compared to say a PAF or something. As long as the correct magnets, correct wire type and amount, and bobbin dimensions are used, it will sound in the same neighborhood as a RIC toaster.

Greg

I too can give a thumbs-up for Jason's stuff, my wife and I have been to his shop on Vashon and met Jason and Stephanie, great people and great products.

I totally agree, as the alnico rods and correct wire type/turns and bobbin dimensions are used, toasters are not hard.