Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I tried finding an answer to this question in the archives, but didn't see anything. So here's the deal... I've had my new Jet Glow lefty 360-6 for about 3 weeks. I had it set up with D'Addario 11 gauge strings at the authorized dealer, so I'm assuming everything was done properly. It has toaster pickups.

I didn't really notice it at first but the volume of the bridge pickup seems to be significantly less than the neck pickup. I'm wondering if the bridge pickup could/should be raised a little to give it more output? It looks like the neck pickup is much closer to the strings than the bridge, but I haven't measured to get the exact distances.

I'm very nervous about making any kind of changes or tweaks, so I don't know if I should try adjusting the pickup, or to just figure out another alternative to the volume difference between pickups...maybe Rics are supposed to be that way?

I'm assuming that if you guys say to try adjusting the pickup that somebody would give me some direction. I'm pretty mechanially incompetent when it comes to guitars...I can change my strings and adjust the knobs, but that's about as far as I have gone with previous non-Ric guitars...I do know how to use a screw-driver...

Thanks for your patience with a newbie...

Andrew, my 1981 460 BG has a similar diffference in volume between the pickups. I use the fifth (blending) knob or simply cut back on the neck pickup volume to get the combined sound and individual intensities the way I want it. I could lower the neck pickup (easy to do on a 460), but tweaking the controls, to me, is the 'quick-and-dirty' way to go.

By the way, I use a volume pedal between the guitar and the amp to provide more control overall.

It is very easy to adjust the pickup height. The middle screw on each side of the pickups are the ones you want to turn. To raise the pickup you turn the screws counterclockwise, and the reverse to lower them. Adjust to taste. There will be a point where raising them will make them too loose so just raise it till just before this point if needed and lower the other pickup to balance it out.

Maybe try putting the neck pickup further from the strings and the bridge closer to the strings...

Also a reason the neck pickup is louder is because the strings vibrate more in the center then next to the bridge, so with less vibrations there's less of a signal for the pickup to pick up.

Hope I didn't confused you...

Thanks a lot guys...That all makes sense. When I get a chance this weekend I'll try lowering the neck pickup a bit, and and raising the bridge pickup. I think I can handle turning a screwdriver.

Way back when I was younger and more stupid (or just plain ignorant) I tried adjusting my pickups and saddles with my old stratocaster...I totally messed up the setup right before a show and had to make an emergency trip to the guitar shop, then endure the "what were you thinking?" questions from the tech.

That's why I'm hesitant to do anything...but what you described sounds simple and harmless...I'll make small adjustments.

Gary, I like your idea about the volume pedal. Before I got my Ric I had a Line 6 Flextone amp and floorboard with integrated volume pedal...I sold it all to help pay for my Ric. A volume pedal is on my list of things to get for my new setup...now you've given me another reason...

Can I just say that I love this forum!!!

I'll let you know how things turn out.

Andrew,

My little black 320 was like that with the bridge p/u. When having just the rear p/u activated, it sounded like a volume cut comapred to the two other positions on my switch.
FWIW: On my Beatles' bootlegs from the Aug. 1965 (Houston,Tx.) I could hear John's middle solo riff on "I Feel Fine" sounded like he had a 50% volume cut, and wondered if he accidentally put his slector switch in the "down" position.
Good luck.

Respectfully,
Larry Carroll