Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK, now that I've got a RIHS pickup, I'm wondering if it's worth getting a Toaster to go with it. In the thread about the recent availability (or not) of of RIHS pickups, there was a fair amount of discussion as to whether they sound different than a Hi-gain or not and what pickup had a similar output. It seemed that people thought (IIRC) a Hi-gain in the neck would have a better match, but was that level or sound? Dane talked about an "unbuttoned Hi-gain" with a toaster top, etc.

So, what I'm wondering is, since I've never had the pleasure to own a Rick bass with a toaster, does a current Toaster have a different sound than a Hi-gain and will it complement the (not necessarily different) sound of the RIHS in a modern 4003? Should I get a Toaster, or look into getting a Toaster cover and "unbuttoning" my Hi-gain?

Yeah, I probably should have just gone and ordered one just to see, but money's a bit tight at present and plunking down $175 plus shipping for the RIHS was enough of a strain on the budget for a while...

The toaster does indeed sound different to a Hi-gain..
Compared to the hot growly rubbery sound of a Hi-gain the toaster sounds clear, warm, full and very even....
I feel the toaster is about 90% of the vintage sound, it's the other 10% that is the tricky bit!

emac.

weemac wrote:The toaster does indeed sound different to a Hi-gain..
Compared to the hot growly rubbery sound of a Hi-gain the toaster sounds clear, warm, full and very even....
I feel the toaster is about 90% of the vintage sound, it's the other 10% that is the tricky bit!

emac.

You're referring to the 7.4K Scatterwound toaster, yes? Just to clarify. That's the vintage spec toaster.

I like the 12Ks for six string work. . . and 12 string work as well, come to think of it.

I was refering to the 7.5k ones.
Now the 12k ones in a bass are deep and wooly with an even treble response without quite the growl of a Hi-gain...
I like both versions of the toasters.

emac.

OK, just to clarify, I talking about using these in a bass (this is the bass forum after all). Also, I'm referring to whatever it is that RIC is currently producing, unless I can find a good deal on something else (like not a whole lot more than buying a new one)...

cjj wrote:OK, just to clarify, I talking about using these in a bass (this is the bass forum after all). Also, I'm referring to whatever it is that RIC is currently producing, unless I can find a good deal on something else (like not a whole lot more than buying a new one)...

Rightio, "clear, warm, full and very even"....
Try to get it as close to the strings as you can. This will enable the toaster to work at its full pontential...

emac.

A modern hi-gain or 12K toaster is a better match to the RIHSPU as far as output goes; personally, I am a big fan of toasters in the neck position, and occasionally, in the bridge position, as well.

weemac wrote:The toaster does indeed sound different to a Hi-gain..
Compared to the hot growly rubbery sound of a Hi-gain the toaster sounds clear, warm, full and very even....
I feel the toaster is about 90% of the vintage sound, it's the other 10% that is the tricky bit!

emac.

I concur and prefer the toasters. OR an 8.4k 70's higain.

jps wrote:A modern hi-gain or 12K toaster is a better match to the RIHSPU as far as output goes; personally, I am a big fan of toasters in the neck position, and occasionally, in the bridge position, as well.

There is a clarity to the toasters the higains just do not have.

The individual alnico magnets perhaps?

Sergio's wound me some killer toasters with Alnico 3 magnets; he says they're "sweeter" than the Alnico 5s.I really can't argue with him, because the toaster coils he wound for me sound amazing; I really like the overwound 14 and 15k coils he wound for the bridge positions on a couple of my guitars. I like to go with a 12K in the neck and a 14 or 15k in the bridge. Most recently he wound a pair of toasters that had staggered polepieces (visible on the underside of the p/up). I just received these and can't wait to install them; they're going in the Blue Boy.

Aw dang! It looks like I'm gonna have to spend another $150...

cjj wrote:Aw dang! It looks like I'm gonna have to spend another $150...

Don't panic, once you play the first note you will agree that was worth it!

emac.

weemac wrote:

cjj wrote:Aw dang! It looks like I'm gonna have to spend another $150...

Don't panic, once you play the first note you will agree that was worth it!

emac.

Only if the toaster is in the 1/2" position.

Well, that's a definite possibility...

cjj wrote:Aw dang! It looks like I'm gonna have to spend another $150...

I replaced the higain with one in my 75 4001.. trust me you wont regret it. Money well spent