Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a '96 325V63 and a '98 660/12. If my memory serves me correctly, at some point around 2000, RIC changed the toasters on the 660's to scatterwounds with less output. I purchased a pair of 360CW's about that time and I THINK I remember that they were the first Ricks to come out with the scatterwound pups. Am I correct in assuming that the pups on my guitars are closer in character to the modern hi-gains than the toasters of the last decade or so?

Do you have an ohmmeter? If you do, the older reissue toasters have about 12kohms' worth of wire on them and the newer toasters have about 7.4kohms' worth of wire on them. That's the best way to tell. If you have the inline .0047 capacitor to the bridge pickup, you won't be able to measure DC resistance of the bridge pickup from the jack, as capacitors don't pass DC.

A couple of ways to know which you have:

The four screws in the corners of the pickup will be slotted if they are scatterwounds; if the screws are Phillips then they are the hotter wound 12Ks.

The scatterwounds have "dimples" in the ends of the black bars; they are molding marks which the 12Ks do not have.

gregw9 wrote:I Am I correct in assuming that the pups on my guitars are closer in character to the modern hi-gains than the toasters of the last decade or so?

If they are 12k toasters, I still wouldn't say that. IMO, they're much closer to the newer scatterwound toasters than to hi-gains. Back when I bought my 360/12v64, the difference between it (with 12k toasters in it) and a 'normal' 360/12 with hi-gains was pretty dramatic. Still not as good as the scatterwounds - for a 12-string, IMO, as I ordered scatterwounds for the v64 right after hearing them in my 660/12 - and prefer them in the v64.

I still prefer the 12k toasters over scatterwounds in 6-strings, though, as many do. If that's what you have, and you want to swap them out, they're usually worth a little more than new scatterwounds cost. ...and I wouldn't mind having another set.

Thanks for the replies. My technical prowess on guitars is limited to setups - I don't understand or mess with the electronics. But, you did answer my question. All five of my toasters have Phillips head screws, so they're not scatterwounds. The mounts are different on the two guitars, but I guess the pickups are the same.

My 660/12 was one of the first produced after the TP sig model (it's the only '98 in the registry), and I think it's identical to it except for the autographed pickguard. I'm happy with the sound. I had a 360/12CW for a few years along with the 660/12 and I did notice a difference - but I liked them both. I'm very happy with the 325V63 and would not trade it for a C64.

Thanks!

I want to share my thoughts on the Hot Toasters (12k) vs Scatterwounds vs Hi Gains. If memory serves me right, RIC changed from the Hot Toasters to Scatterwounds in late 1999, before the introduction of the 360 Carl Wilson @ NAMM in January, 2000.

I acquired my 360/12 CW (#147 of 500) in May, 2000. I also acquired a '98 360/12v64 a little over six years ago. I quickly found out that I preferred the CW and it's scatterwounds to the the v64 and it's hot toasters. Therefore, I sold the v64 and used the proceeds to buy an '08 660/12. Although I liked the 660/12, I kept reaching for the CW and never really bonded with the 660/12. Therefore, I traded it for a Huss & Dalton OM Custom, which has become the workhorse of my small acoustic stable.

With regards to six-string Rics, I swapped the Hi-Gains in my '98 360 for HBs because it sounded so similar to the '96 1997 and it's Hot Toasters. I didn't see the need of having two guitars that sounded so similar.

With all said and done, I'm a very happy camper with the HBs in the 360, the hot toasters in the 1997, and the 360/12 CW and its scatterwounds. I think I've got all the bases covered.

Well put Richard.

(Did you know all your guitars are backwards?)

Thanks for the post, Richard. That put some clarity into the fog of my memory. It's good that there's enough variety in Rickenbackers to satisfy different tastes. I had a similar experience with the two 12's, 660 and CW, with the opposite result. I bonded with the 660/12 and have had it for 16 years now. I had the CW 6 and 12 for about 3 years and -despite the fact that I really wanted to - never did get attached to them. I also liked the 380L and 650D, on paper, but sold them after a couple of years. I was OK with the HB1's, but I've come to the conclusion that I really don't like gold hardware or metal pickguards/knobs.

After 50 years and 13 Rickenbackers I've got my two favorites: the 660/12 and a 325V63. The only models I'd love to have but probably can't afford are the 360F and maybe a Capri from around '60.

Rubsoul wrote:... (Did you know all your guitars are backwards?)

Well at least you realize there's nothing wrong with your browser.

wmthor wrote:
With all said and done, I'm a very happy camper with the HBs in the 360, the hot toasters in the 1997, and the 360/12 CW and its scatterwounds. I think I've got all the bases covered.

Speaking of basses, Richard. Time's a wasting. You can use toasters, humbuckers and high gains in them as well.

admin wrote:

wmthor wrote:
With all said and done, I'm a very happy camper with the HBs in the 360, the hot toasters in the 1997, and the 360/12 CW and its scatterwounds. I think I've got all the bases covered.

Speaking of basses, Richard. Time's a wasting. You can use toasters, humbuckers and high gains in them as well.

I've given thought about getting myself a 4003. However, that would involve getting an amp to go along with it. I just don't have the room for any more amps.

wmthor wrote:I also acquired a '98 360/12v64 a little over six years ago.

I sold the v64 and used the proceeds to buy an '08 660/12.

Got a pretty sweet deal on that v64 from a fellow forumite, didn't you? And you flipped it?

wmthor wrote:I just don't have the room for any more amps.

Wimp!

I loved the pickups on my '96 325v63. I regretfully sold the guitar over two weeks ago (needed the funds), but when I get another 325, I definitely want another mid 90s 325. I was able to play from signature Ric jangly to gnarly overdriven/distorted rock and was still able to hear the notes. I love my Beatles music, but I like that I was able to have my own sound from my Ric versus trying to get their sound. Those pups are pretty sweet. I hadn't learned until recently that those are sought after in some circles.

Duh...I didn't see this was your post, Greg (he's the one who bought my 325). Now, I am totally blushing.

jdogric12 wrote:Got a pretty sweet deal on that v64 from a fellow forumite, didn't you? And you flipped it?

I did not buy the v64 from a fellow forumite. Joey helped me acquire it in response to a LA Craiglist ad. He met with the seller and checked the guitar out before handing over a money order. Afterwards he shipped it to me. I'll always be grateful to him for his help.