Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've got a '75 430 Ric on which I would like to change pickups and was wondering if Ric Hi-Gains would fit. The 430, Ric's cheapo line, had pickups with black plastic covers, but am not certain they are Hi-Gains in a cheap coat. I'm figuring since it was a bottom of the line guitar that corners were cut on the pickup quality as well. Would appreciate any info on this. thanks.

Same coil, same windings, same footprint, just a less expensive cover.

Yes, the chrome-covered pickups will swap these out perfectly.

johnhall wrote:Same coil, same windings, same footprint, just a less expensive cover.

Yes, the chrome-covered pickups will swap these out perfectly.

Most appreciate the quick response. So the pickups are identical to the Hi-Gains made in '75? I assume they are not the toaster style pickups.

Back when I rebuilt an old 430 it came missing the bridge pickup. I replaced it with a high gain in the same sized hole. For the neck pickup, I left the guts and replaced the cover with a chrome high gain cover. I can't remember for sure whether or not this was the job where I had to trim the corners of the bobbin a little bit (round them more) to get it to fit, but in any case I can't recall it being a big deal to replace the cover.

Gee.... and after all that work I still couldn't play six-string worth a ****.........

Oskar wrote:

johnhall wrote:Same coil, same windings, same footprint, just a less expensive cover.

Yes, the chrome-covered pickups will swap these out perfectly.

Most appreciate the quick response. So the pickups are identical to the Hi-Gains made in '75? I assume they are not the toaster style pickups.

The 70s higains were wound to 8.4k so today's higains will be hotter.

teb wrote:Back when I rebuilt an old 430 it came missing the bridge pickup. I replaced it with a high gain in the same sized hole. For the neck pickup, I left the guts and replaced the cover with a chrome high gain cover. I can't remember for sure whether or not this was the job where I had to trim the corners of the bobbin a little bit (round them more) to get it to fit, but in any case I can't recall it being a big deal to replace the cover.

Gee.... and after all that work I still couldn't play six-string worth a ****.........

My, my, nice work on the guitar. Are there two, a red one and the one you rebuilt the body on? Either way, they're both quite nice. Am thinking of doing something with mine as well. Sounds great, plays fine, but it's in pretty rough shape. I tried selling it, but there's been zero interest, so I figure I may as well keep it. I really like those light Rics, have four 610s which I gig with regularly. The 430 is even lighter, but still a nice sounding guitar for what it is.

I eventually sold the red body and it got transplanted into another 430 that was in beat up condition.