Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'd like to have a pair of HB-1s that were wired down to around 10 k-ohms. I figure if I knew how, I could unwind each coil to 5 k. Is this a difficult procedure? Harder with a humbucker?

While I'm at it, is there a proper way to convert an HB-1 so it will just take machine screws like a neck Hi-Gain in a bass? I have a way of modding them so they take machine screws but the results just get the job done, adjusting the pickups down the road can be tricky.

I wouldn’t think it be more difficult than unwinding a single coil; only there are two coils to unwind.
If you can get to the windings that is. But seems that on HB-1 ...
“Both models are sealed in resin (epoxy?) and cannot be disassembled without destroying the pickup.”
viewtopic.php?p=531464#p531464

That is my understanding also. Potted.

If you figure out how to unpot it, unwinding it will be the easy part.

Hah... guess I won't be doing any unwinding then.

John, is it possible at this time for RIC to do a different number of windings on pickups, now that you guys have expanded your pickup making? I expect you'll say no but maybe it's not a bad idea to ask. Otherwise I'm going to have to seek help from guys like Lindy Fralin who specialize in rewinding and have the ability to remove and replace wax potting.

Toasters aren't potted are they? I've always noticed... Toasters are so much more microphonic than HB-1s. Hi-Gains too.

Higains and toasters are not potted.

Are you sure you'd want to have an HB, or any pickup for that matter, at 5K ohms? I think it would sound awfully thin. One of the hi-gains on Rich's 370 WB was only wound to 5K and it was quite thin sounding.

5 k-ohms per coil, total of 10.

My 4002 bridge pickup is 4 k-ohms per coil ( total of 8 ) and sounds superb.

What John Hall said...

A 4.0 K coil will work great even on a *bass guitar*, believe me. Not long ago I came across one of the most dreadful 4001 knock-offs ever, a '70s Kay bass, that had some of the best-sounding (!) pickups I've ever heard. Ohm rating on either was 4.0 K. Coils were very squat type, and magnets quite strong. Too bad the rest of the instrument was a shallow sleazy piece of ****

The clarity of low-inductance pickups is unappreciated. Remember that Gretch Filter 'Trons usually have only in the neighborhood of 4 to 5kohms' worth of wire on them.

Agreed, Scott.

Dane, the main reason is because I'd like to keep the humbucking property. But obviously this idea was ill-fated. I got spoiled when I got my 4002 bridge pickup, as a split coil that can hum cancel yet something made for low impedance I quickly fell in love with it for providing clean, rich tones.

Nothing against HB-1s by the way but I have used them enough to know they have their place, and they aren't useful in every situation. If you need a more open, wooly tone I just don't think they can do it very well. On the other hand they can be pretty amazing for putting a fat lump of bass-y goodness in your band's mix, especially in the treble position of a 4003. I can see why they make sense as stock on a 4004.

It would be cool to me (Oh here we go!.. ) if RIC made a subset of HB-1s underwound. It would also be cool if I could find a good way to convert them for proper plexi mounting! Using machine screws where wood screws are intended is a pain.

cassius987 wrote: It would also be cool if I could find a good way to convert them for proper plexi mounting! Using machine screws where wood screws are intended is a pain.

I've done this many times by simply drilling the mounting holes out, and tapping new threads to the next screw size up. To thin the sound out a bit on them, you can also do the .0047 cap push-pull mod with them too.

I am not sure how to tap new threads. I'll have to research that.