Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know that I've read bits and pieces in disparate locations on these boards, but a quick refresher would be appreciated without my having/trying to read several different threads that I may not be able to find.

I bought a new toaster from RIC a few months ago and I'm curious what the ohm reading might be relative to the vintage toaster I have on my April '73 4001FL. I really like the clean, distinct sound my '73 toaster gives me.

I've been reading other threads that discuss newer toasters that are hotter than the vintage ones, and I'm just trying to get a feel for what the new (4-5 months ago +/-) toaster will bring me and where to use it. Is a new toaster that much different from a modern hi-gain?

Much thanks in advance!

John,

I believe the RI toasters have been wound to around 7.5kohm since the mid '90s. The "hot" ones were wound to around 11.5kohms - similar to recent higains. The '05 RI toaster I have on my '72/3 Frankenbacker is an excellent match for the '70s hi-gain I have in the treble position in terms of clarity and output.

It was closer to 2000 when the switch from the hot Toasters to scatterwounds occured, I have a 1997 325V59 which came with hot Toasters.

I would be willing to trade a pair of the current Scatterwound toasters for a pair of "hot" 12K toasters. I like the hot ones!

OK, so a toaster bought new a few months ago would be fairly similar to the old 60s and early 70s toasters?

How would the new toaster match up with the stock bridge PU in my 2008 4003FL? Are there balance problems with this sort of modification?

The bridge p/up has significantly more output with more mids. One can boost the output in the neck toaster pickup by sticking a ceramic magnet across the bottom of the alnico slugs, if it will fit in the p/up rout.

Got me the 12Ks in one of the 330s and i love em.....

FretlessOnly wrote:OK, so a toaster bought new a few months ago would be fairly similar to the old 60s and early 70s toasters?

How would the new toaster match up with the stock bridge PU in my 2008 4003FL? Are there balance problems with this sort of modification?

John, closer to the early 70s, possibly very late 60s. The earlier 60s toasters were around 6k windings, IIRC.

Yep - the newish toaster will sound like your '73, but the bridge pup on your 08 will be much hotter... you could have it 'dewound" or rewound to around 7.5kohms to get a set up similar to your '73, which should be cheaper than getting a vintage bridge hi-gain.

Unwinding is actually pretty easy to do. Don't be shy if you decide to. When you disassemble pay good attention to how RIC finishes off the windings. Then when you remove enough wire to get you to 7.5 to 8.4k replicate the finishing off.

johnallg wrote:Unwinding is actually pretty easy to do. Don't be shy if you decide to. When you disassemble pay good attention to how RIC finishes off the windings. Then when you remove enough wire to get you to 7.5 to 8.4k replicate the finishing off.

PLEASE, NOOOOOOOOO!
Be kind, don't unwind! There are lots of us that love the 12K's! I actually have a pair of toasters that are around 5-6K and would be happy to trade them with someone with 12K's!

IHeartRics wrote:

johnallg wrote:Unwinding is actually pretty easy to do. Don't be shy if you decide to. When you disassemble pay good attention to how RIC finishes off the windings. Then when you remove enough wire to get you to 7.5 to 8.4k replicate the finishing off.

PLEASE, NOOOOOOOOO!
Be kind, don't unwind! There are lots of us that love the 12K's! I actually have a pair of toasters that are around 5-6K and would be happy to trade them with someone with 12K's!

Don't panic Chip - we're talking about unwinding a 4003 treble higain, not a hot toaster!