Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just getting used to the 335 and I have a bit of an issue with odd almost distorted overload sound from the bridge pickup if I strike the individual strings quite hard. Looking at the volume levels of my DAW on screen, no amount of adjustment up or down alters this overloading sound - even if the volume levels are set very low so something's not right. Incidentally my strats don't show this problem no matter what the volume levels set logically it must be the Rick that's upsetting things.

I'm aware some pickups can be more sensitive than others and if strings are set too close some strange telephonics can result so could this be the problem and if so, is there a recommended minimum/maximum gap that should be maintained between them? The neck pickup sits lower and the gaps are therefore greater - don't have a problem with this one on its own, so figured the bridge's poles could be far too close to the strings. However I don't want to start fiddling with things and make matters worse without some guidance first so any help would be welcomed. The gaps at the moment are around 1/32" on the middle four poles whereas the outer two are more like 1/16" - I also feel the top E string is notably quieter than the rest. Are the poles themselves adjustable?

1/32" seems really close, to me. Back off the pickup until the distortion is minimized, no worries about moving things around, as you can always put it back to where it was previously if necessary.

Do the pole pieces on your pickups have allen key "slots"? If so, they are adjustable, if not, do not move the pole pieces.

jps wrote:1/32" seems really close, to me. Back off the pickup until the distortion is minimized, no worries about moving things around, as you can always put it back to where it was previously if necessary.

Do the pole pieces on your pickups have allen key "slots"? If so, they are adjustable, if not, do not move the pole pieces.

The adjustment screws either side of the pickups were pretty stiff (such small screws for an adjustment device) but I managed to lower the bridge pickup slightly and that seems to have done the trick - many thanks for the advice.

The guitar's a 2007 model and the hi-gain pickups do indeed have allen key slotted poles (see attached image) but I just tried adjusting the top E side pole and it seems reluctant to move. The fact that it has this hexagonal socket presumably means it should be adjustable and non- adjustable ones wouldn't have this arrangement? Don't want to force it and have something break but I think the one top E pole would benefit from coming up a bit . . .

The pole piece may be stiff to move but it will adjust. Obviously, if it is all the way down to the bobbin it can't go any lower.

jps wrote:The pole piece may be stiff to move but it will adjust. Obviously, if it is all the way down to the bobbin it can't go any lower.

It did once I knew it was safe to give it a bit more oomph. Thanks again.