| Author | Message | ||
     Larry Carroll (Eggman) New member Username: Eggman Post Number: 19 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 65.81.240.202 |
Howdy, I'll admit that it's been almost 20 years since I sold my little black 320 (w/ factory "Toasters" and gold pickguard,truss rod cover). In the 2 years I owned it I gigged with it regularly and even used it for lead guitar in a C&W group! Since then I've owned several 330's with the standard Hi-Gains and must say that I prefer the Hi-Gains. I'm a vintage "purist" kind of guy, trust me. The "Toasters" look SO cool and have AlNiCo magnets to boot, no argument. My little 320 (Toasters) had a certain...brittle tone and lacked for mids compared to the Hi-Gains. I'll freely admit that I could absolutely nail those CCR tones with that little 320  I found it difficult to get the right degree of treble: either too much or not enough. This is not to impugn "Toaster Top" p/u's. Many of my favorite songs from the 60's were recorded on Rickenbackers with "Toaster Tops"! I prefer Hi-Gains for my 6-strings. What about ya'll? BTW: I may well try "Toaster Tops" on my JG 620-12 string in the near future. Respectfully, Eggman | ||
| Peter McCormack (Admin) Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 3909 Registered: 04-2003 Posted From: 142.166.105.230 |
Your point is well taken Larry. Each of these pickups has its strong points and limitations depending on playing style and genre. Recall that Fogerty got his classic sound with a non-stock humbucker in the bridge position. I have experimented with toasters, humbuckers and high gains and enjoy the sound of all of them. In fact, my Model 350 has one of each installed. | ||
| Anthony Carey (Tony_carey) Senior Member Username: Tony_carey Post Number: 771 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 81.157.58.104 |
Larry, I totaly agree with you with regard to the 7.4 scatterwounds, but the older toasters can sometimes be hotter than hi-gains (my '92 1997 &'91 360V64-12 for instance) & have all the warmth & bottom end that you (& I) are looking for. I have always maintained hi-gains with 24 fret & toasters with 21 fret, but I would be very interested to hear the hot toasters in a 24 fret, for a side by side comparison! | ||
| Robert Callaghan (Red_rob) Senior Member Username: Red_rob Post Number: 133 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 194.74.48.4 |
You guys are killin me! My next Rickenbacker (scheduled to be born this winter) is going to be a JG 360/12. That much I know. I have no idea whether I'll get a standard high gain model or Carl Wilson with toasters. Both by current Rics are toaster models and I KNOW I should go for something different, but man - I just love toasters and 21 frets! I think I'm losing my mind!!! | ||
| Kent Fletcher (Brammy) Senior Member Username: Brammy Post Number: 280 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 128.171.162.77 |
>>>I have no idea whether I'll get a standard high gain model or Carl Wilson with toasters. Robert... buddy... will all due respect and empathy, how in the world did you order a 360/12 without knowing exactly what you'll be getting? Actually, since the CW was a limited edition, I think its likely you will be getting a 24 fret model with hi-gains. | ||
| danhamilton (Qmoder) Senior Member Username: Qmoder Post Number: 192 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 216.180.66.82 |
I agree Larry, I love the sound of my Highgains on my 360/6. But if I ever get a 370/12 I think that the toasters would be cool. | ||
| Kent Fletcher (Brammy) Senior Member Username: Brammy Post Number: 287 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 128.171.162.77 |
I have 2 360's both with hi-gains.... one is a 1980 and the other an '88 refinished tuxedo model. My bandmates insist that the tuxedo sounds much better but I cant honestly say I can hear the diffefernce. One of the differences in a CW compared to a regular 360 is a "Special thin top for increased acoustic performance". Does anyone know whether the tuxedo 360 has a similar thin top? if I can find a jetglo CW for not too much $ I'll jump at it. (I know, I know... dream on) | ||
| David Chase Lopes (360dave660) Senior Member Username: 360dave660 Post Number: 143 Registered: 04-2002 Posted From: 80.9.140.217 |
I have both a 360-6 w/ high gains and a cw-6. While the cw may overall have a bigger sixties vibe, i really think it has more to do with the thinness of the top than the p/ups. I have two rics with toasters and two with high gains. I really like them both and do not think that the hi gains are that dramatically different to toasters. Also, the hi-gains are about 35 yrs old in design, so kind of vintage in their own right. Also, if hi-gains really diminished from ric's "signature sound", why would have the company changed the pickups ? also, more than once, Mr. Hall has mentioned that the real difference in guitar sound comes from how the guitar neck is attached to the body. Any thoughts ? peace, dave | ||
| Kent Fletcher (Brammy) Senior Member Username: Brammy Post Number: 288 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 128.171.162.77 |
Dave... good comments. As someone who has both flavors of PUs on hand your evaluation is real important.... especially to me who is seriously thinking of a CW 360/6. Very interesting that you dont think that the hi gains sound dramatically different to toasters and that you think the difference in sound has more to do with the thinness of the top. I hadn't heard about what John said re how the guitar neck is attached to the body... I suppose he's not so much comparing one Ric to another but more comparing Ricenbackers to guitars with a simple bolt on neck like a (dare I use the F-word?) Fender. I never considered how that would affect the sound, but it sure makes a lot of sense, especially for a semi-hollowbody guitar. | ||
| Anthony Carey (Tony_carey) Senior Member Username: Tony_carey Post Number: 775 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 81.157.59.217 |
Dave, I hear what you say, but I think that it depends on how you use them....clean or overdriven. I have hi-gains & the old hot toasters, which do not sound disimilar....but the 7.4's sound totaly different when overdriven.....not for me, I've just sold my CW! I play predominantly rock & as a result, use overdrive in fair quantities. A 7.4 has a horrible raspiness about it when treated with anything but the most mildest overdrive, whilst the older toasters & hi-gains overdrive very nicely indeed. I admit that when played cleanly, the CW was OK....I just don't play clean very often.... |
