Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum and although I don't yet own a Rickenbacker, I certainly hope to do so in the near future, and so I'm just trying to learn a few things about the different models etc in hope of deciding exactly which model would suit me best.

The question I would like to ask first is regarding the controls on Rickenbacker guitars and how they operate whilst the pickup selector is set to the middle position on a two pickup guitar.

Now, I'm not referring to the 5th knob here, I've read quite a number of articles on that, and I think I basically understand the function of that particular control.

I'm actually curious about how the separate pickup's volume and tone controls operate in relation to each other whilst the pickup selector is set to the middle position on a two pickup guitar?

Is it something similar to a Les Paul, where, when either volume control is set to zero, all sound is cut from both pickups? I do find the Les Paul somewhat confusing I must admit, as I've never quite been able to fugure out exactly how the Les Paul works when in the centre position. Before I had one, I had always assumed that both pickups, and their separate controls, would operate completely independent of one another, but this certainly is not the case.

I am just interested to learn how the Rickenbacker setup operates compared to something like the Gibson arrangement?

Thank you for any info on this guys

Russ

It's not like a Gibson where they're mixed... they operate separately whilst "middling" around. Welcome!

Tube Screamer wrote:I'm actually curious about how the separate pickup's volume and tone controls operate in relation to each other whilst the pickup selector is set to the middle position on a two pickup guitar?

Welcome Russ, my fellow newbie! I agree with Jason - the controls are independent. You can get some really interesting tones in the "middle" switch position by experimenting with the separate pickup volume/tone controls. If you're able to read electrical circuits, Rickenbacker posts their guitar circuit schematics on their web site: http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_g_schematics.asp. I hope you can join the Rickenbacker owner club soon!

Thanks for the welcome and the info guys, it is much appreciated!

So, am I right in thinking, that a Rickenbacker (let’s say, for arguments sake, a two pickup, four control model such as a 650 etc) operates in the way that I had assumed a Les Paul would operate?

Just to be clear on how I had expected (before owning one) a two pickup Les Paul to operate with the pickup selector in the centre position, here is what I imagined:

Ok, so obviously, for a start we've got the pickup selector in the centre position. Now if both pickups volume controls are set to '0', the guitar is silent. Now, just for example, let's say we roll the neck pickup volume up to '6'. Now we would be hearing the neck pickup only, at volume '6', just as if we had the pickup selector set to the neck position (so basically you could now 'toggle' the pickup selector switch back and forth between the neck and middle positions, and there would be no difference in sound what so ever). We could then gradually begin to roll up the volume of the bridge pickup, which would slowly start to bring some sound from that pickup into the mix, until the volumes became pretty much balanced. At this point, we would hear both pickups producing equal parts to the overall sound. Then, (and I think you’re probably getting the point by now ), if you liked, we could increase either one of the pickups volume controls to add a little more sound from that pickup to the overall sound. Both pickups tone controls would also work completely independently of each other, and to completely cut the sound of the guitar, you would need to roll both pickups volume controls back to '0', as putting just one on '0' would only cut the sound of that particular pickup.

Well, if any of you can make heads or tails out of that.... those were my thoughts on how I had expected a two pickup, four control Gibson to work. Now, obviously I was wrong about that. But, after reading your replies, am I correct in thinking that that is how the Rickenbacker would work?

Thanks again for the help guys, and sorry for waffling on

Russ

Yes, that's exactly it. On a model with the fifth knob the controls work the same way, except that since the fifth knob is a 2nd volume pot in series with the main neck p/u volume pot, if you have the neck and bridge pickup volumes both on "6" and the switch in the middle position they won't necessarily contribute equally to the mix, depending on your fifth knob setting.

I've been playing Rickenbackers for almost 30 years and have never owned a Les Paul, and must admit that until you posted your question I had no idea they weren't also wired this way (albeit with the pots laid out in a different order).

Well it's good to know I have that straight now, thank you for your input!

Yes, two pickup Gibson's are really confusing when in the middle position. It's really difficult to be able to figure out quite what is happening when moving the controls.

I'm also a member over on the Gibson forum and I once posted a similar question there, asking if someone could explain what should be happening. No one really seemed to be able to give me an answer with much conviction!

Anyway, many thanks for your help

Russ

Tube Screamer wrote:It's really difficult to be able to figure out quite what is happening when moving the controls.

It's pretty simple, really. The two pickups go to an outer lug on their respective volume controls, with the wipers of the two volume controls tied together at the output jack; the third lug of each volume control is tied to ground. With the selector switch set to both pickups (middle position), either volume control will cut out both pickups if set at zero, because doing so shorts the total output signal to ground. The proper way to wire up a two pickup instrument is to wire the pickups to the wipers of their respective volume controls with an outer lug going to the output, the other outer lug being grounded; doing this puts the resistance of the volume control between to selector switch and the output, preventing the signal from being grounded out. A typical example of this is a Fender Jazz Bass, setting either volume control to zero does not cut the signal off.

BTW, on a single pickup instrument, it is best to wire the output jack to the wiper of the volume control, this way when the volume is fully down (off) the input of the amplifier is shorted to ground keeping noise to a minimum.

Tube Screamer wrote:I'm also a member over on the Gibson forum and I once posted a similar question there, asking if someone could explain what should be happening. No one really seemed to be able to give me an answer with much conviction!

Welcome Russ! Ain't Gibson magic?

Wildberry wrote:

Tube Screamer wrote:I'm also a member over on the Gibson forum and I once posted a similar question there, asking if someone could explain what should be happening. No one really seemed to be able to give me an answer with much conviction!

Welcome Russ! Ain't Gibson magic?

Please disregard my above description, Werner is right, it really is magic.