Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When does Rickenbacker use foam pads under the pickups and when do they use grommets?

When were the foam pads first used?

Why one or the other? Which models use which ones?

(The parts lists on the Web site doesn't call out either.)

What I have seen until yet:

1. foam goes with high-gains
2. grommets with toasters

There are some one-offs that have foam under the toasters. Like this anniversary prototype:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... hp?id=8419

My understanding is that Rickenbacker currently uses foam pads on all but the vintage-series instruments. While the vintage guitars do indeed have toasters and grommets, non-vintage instrument with toasters (e.g., a 660) have foam pads.

From what I've read on the other board, John and Ben H. say that the foam pads are technically superior because they do a much better job of reducing feedback and allow for greater height adjustability, so they are now used whenever vintage authenticity isn't a concern.

I don't know exactly when the switch to foam pads took place, but I'd guess late 60s-early 70s or thereabouts.

EDIT: My 1975 430 has foam pads, so the change must have been some time earlier.

Oops! I just spoke about the 300 series!

Right, the 660 combines it different.