Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

First post here... Just picked up my first Rickenbacker, a 1975 Ric 430 model, and I have been searching trying to find out if there is a simple way to install Chrome rings on the Hi-gains?
The stock pickups have an all black cover over the entire pickup, and I'd like to add a little Chrome if possible?

I did it to one on mine and it worked fine. I can't remember whether or not I had to trim the bobbin corners to fit in a high gain cover, but it wasn't a big deal to switch. Do remember to add a grounding wire that contacts the metal cover though.

Steve

Cool guitar!

This one is yours?

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D4

Does the black cover just sit over the pickup, or is it attached? I just wanted to make sure I remove it correctly.
Thanks!

Brian, yes that's mine! Great guitar so far!

Steve:

Check out this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=388464&p=535831&hi ... 30#p535831

Might be better to swap out the pick ups for stock high gains rather then destroy vintage parts...

Hmmm, chrome pickup covers might look good on this baby also:

That's what the inside looks like?? Where are the pole pieces???? Please explain...
I had assumed the round bumps on the cover were actually covering pole pieces that looked very similar, but now I'm totally confused. I've only worked on Fenders and Gibsons, so these look totally different. I don't want to change anything that can't be easily changed back, so if I can't just take off the black covers and put on the Chrome rings, I will just leave it stock.

They are similar to high gains - but are not identical as you can see from the plastic housing.

The footprint is the same though so you can swap them out for regular High Gains or even toasters if that is what you wish...

But I would hang to original 430 pick ups - they are rare... (My own 1976 JG 430 is missing one - if you want to get rid of them!)

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... ine%3Dtrue



They are the most Fender like guitar Rickenbacker ever made I think...

Maybe I was looking at that picture wrong, and that was the bottom??
If I took the black cover off and put a regular chrome hi-gain ring on, is it going to look like the regular hi-gain's?
I definitely want to keep the original pickups. I'd just like to have them look like regular hi-gains.
thanks

From looking at the pictures of Kira's - there appear to be no individual pole pieces - just a a bar magnet. It is the plastic pole pieces (on the casing) that make it look like a high gain - they appear to be decorative...