Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am thinking of putting a toaster pickup in my 4003, since I have one in my parts bin that I'm not using, although it is for guitar but I've heard there are no differences?

Now I know this has been covered countless times, but I am still without answers to my questions.

I'd like to know if this is a drop in modification without work? Is it a case of a straight swap for the hi-gain, or do I have to swap the pickguard out? I'm seeing talk of 1" and 1/2" spacing and I've no clue what that's about?

Any help appreciated

Hi Kyle,

I have a Toaster fitted to my 2012 4003, fitted in no problem without any body modifications, however like mine I notice you also have a guitar toaster. The pickups are the same as the bass version apart from the pickup surround, the bass version has a threaded plate whereas the guitar version does not, so you will need to find a small nut to fit on the other end of each of the 2 screws, so basically you have to fit the pickup to the pick guard prior to fitting the pick guard in place.

I prefer the toaster to the original high gain as I believe it gives for a more clearer sound, however you will have to bear in mind that the bridge high gain is going to be a lot more powerful and both volumes full on will not give you an equal balance and you will have to back off the bridge volume Knob a bit.

The older basses used to have the toasters nearer the neck, you will need to replace the pick guard if you want to replicate that condition, the guys on here will tell you that it gives a slightly different tone. Personally I would just try your toaster with the pick guard as it is and see how you go. When you remove the pick guard you can check as to whether the routing would accept a pickup on the 1/2" spacing.

Does your toaster have threaded holes for machine screws or not? That is the only difference between the two different versions (for mounting purposes, anyway) and will determine what hardware you will need to install it into the pickguard. Don't let the "guitar" thing cloud your concept of whether toasters work for bass or not, they work great. They will drop in with just a bit of soldering to do.

Bass toasters have threaded mounting holes to allow them to be attached to the pickgaurd. Guitar toasters have unthreaded holes because the screws go into the wood. Otherwise they are the same.

There are various ways to use the guitar toasters in a bass. Some people glue nuts to the holes or you can thread the holes (I think you have to use a larger screw)...

When I had a "guitar" toaster in one of my basses for a while I didn't bother tapping the holes or gluing the nuts to the bottom of the pickup, I just screwed it together and tightened the nuts down before putting the pickguard in place as the neck pickup is not really adjustable for height anyway (most folks adjust the bridge pickup relative to the neck pickup to get the balance between them).

Thanks for the heads up.

I don't suppose the hi-gain pickup that's in there's screws and nuts would be compatible with the guitars toaster then?

I think if I took off the 4 screws in the corners that mount the cover to the plate, and used a smaller spacer than a grommet, the toaster would be close enough to the strings that I wouldn't need any other moditification. It's just getting it mounted that might be the problem. Would using one of Ric's foam pads underneath work?

If you already have a bass hi-gain pickup the pickguard mounting screws from it will work if you get appropriate washers and nuts to put on the underside. As to the other stuff, you could take the corner screws off if you feel you need to; I suggest putting the pickup in place and see if it works for you before removing more than necessary.

Just swap the baseplates on both pickups....

Eden.