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Gene Schillaci (Squirebass)
Senior Member
Username: Squirebass

Post Number: 585
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 68.94.214.143
Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 09:22 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

This is a question for our esteemed moderator and host, who I think has a 350v63 with a Rick humbucker installed, or anyone else with knowledge of Rick humbuckers who might like to chime in. I am the proud owner of a Monty Brown 350v63, which I love, but although I own several guitars, every one of them have single coil pickups in them, and I would like to try the sound differences in a humbucker for inspiration/songwriting. Can anyone comment on the sound and tone of the Rick humbucker, how it differs from the "Gibby" sound, and what experiences you have with humbuckers in a 350v63? I know the Susanna Hoffs LE has a humbucker, but it is in the middle position, which seems wierd to me, but since the mod would be completely reversible on my 350, I am considering doing it. Comments please?
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John Williams (Jwilli)
Senior Member
Username: Jwilli

Post Number: 814
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 24.88.72.49
Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 10:56 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Gene, the SH's humbucker is in the treble position. I did own a SH with the HB in the middle position but it had been modded. In fact, it had been disconnected.
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Gene Schillaci (Squirebass)
Senior Member
Username: Squirebass

Post Number: 586
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 68.94.214.143
Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

John,
I didn't realize, that makes more sense to me, but then the Hoffs guitars are not so easily found! So what did you think of the sound?
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John Williams (Jwilli)
Senior Member
Username: Jwilli

Post Number: 817
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 24.88.72.49
Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 11:23 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Since only the two toasters were working, it sounded like most RICs. I would love to own a HB equipped 350. The pickups are very quiet. Still sounds like a RIC.
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Don Adamek (Rick12dr)
Senior Member
Username: Rick12dr

Post Number: 549
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 152.163.101.6
Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 01:36 am:   Edit Post Print Post

I put 3 Rick HBs in my buddies 355JL about 15 years ago, and while it is Not like a toaster equipped Rick, it really sounded great. Totally dead quiet PUs.We wired it as it came soldered up from the factory[the HB PUs ,I mean]as only humbucking functionally.A Rick HB does Not sound like anyone else HBs, Gibson, Gretsch, whoever. Totally in a class of their own. I like them.
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Peter McCormack (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin

Post Number: 3313
Registered: 04-2003
Posted From: 142.166.105.220
Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 05:54 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Hoffs, at one time at least, had humbuckers in both bridge and middle positions in her 350SH.

Squirebass, I tried the humbucker in several positions in my 350 and it sounded best in the bridge position. I also tried several combinations of humbucker, high gain and toaster pickups. At one point I have a humbucker in the bridge, a toaster in the middle and a high gain at the neck.

The problem that I ran into was the noticeable difference in the hum associated with pickups as you went from one to another. In the end, I was not happy combining the toasters and the humbuckers, al a Hoff.

I suspect that having three humbuckers would be the best option. They are quiet, but to my ear at least, did not give the classic sound that I was looking for. In the end, I returned to the toasters.
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Gene Schillaci (Squirebass)
Senior Member
Username: Squirebass

Post Number: 592
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 68.94.214.143
Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:27 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Interesting, I may have to try that configuration, having three humbuckers... I wonder if I could find three of them pretty easily...and if I have the guts enough to step off the cliff like that, since I love the guitar's jangly toaster vibe too.