Pickups similar to Rickenbacker

[ctmullins]

Hi all - quick question:

I’m planning a build soon, going for some sort of Rickenbacker vibe. Woods will be maple/walnut, and pickup positions will be approximately Rick-like. Might also do a switchable vintage bridge cap.

I have a bunch of pickups in my stash, but I can’t decide which ones to use, so I’m asking for input - Which of these pickups would, in your opinion, best approximate a Rick-ish tone?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I wish RIC didn't call them hi-gain. We know it can't be gain, since you need an input & output for gain. The pickups are the source, so there's no input, no gain, just output.

Nordstrand Big Singles!

None of the dual coils will get close, unless you're planning to split them.

The Big Blades are the closest you have.

edit/add: but only if they're wound "clean & clear"

 

[TonH]

In 2015 I build my own walnut Rick. For my Rick I used Duesenberg single coil DS (humbuckersize): Rick 4003 Walnut build.

See the thread of my build on talkbass : Rick 4003 Walnut build
for pictures and soundclips (page 3).

 

[ctmullins]

In 2015 I build my own walnut Rick. For my Rick I used Duesenberg single coil DS (humbuckersize): Rick 4003 Walnut build.

See the thread of my build on talkbass : Rick 4003 Walnut build
for pictures and soundclips (page 3).

Mmmm, yes, I remember drooling over that thread. Gorgeous bass! And thanks for your comments.

 

[Novarocker]

Not having any experience and depending on the model of chisonics you have, I would guess those purely from a pickup geometry standpoint.

 

[12bass]

Q-tuners have an open, focused, single coil-ish sound and would probably sound good in a Ric, IMO, although perhaps not like the stock pickups.

 

[sikamikanico]

While I have zero experience with these pickups (and practically none with Ricks for that mater), I would agree that single coils are your best bet. BigBlades seems like a good place to start...

Maybe Duncans would work well too? Worked for this guy (thought they don't look like quarterpounders):

 

[ctmullins]

Not a lot of votes yet, but the Big Blades are way out front!

 

[sikamikanico]

Not a lot of votes yet, but the Big Blades are way out front!

I wonder how much that's based on our half-informed opinions of these pickups and the Rick sound, mixed with a dose of our own theories of pickups... I mean, how could Big Blades not sound awesome in a Rick build, right?

ChiSonics might fit the best look-vise, tho... are they single coil?

Maybe build a mule, make recordings with each set of pickups, post soundclips, and we can vote (and enjoy the results of your work without doing anything)

 

[Novarocker]

Swimming pool pup cavity? Then you just need a pg to fit different pups?

 

[ctmullins]

I have a mule already, so that’s a good idea.

Pickguards are gross.

 

[bigtone23]

I have Peavey Super Ferrites (aggressive single coils found on many 80s and early 90s Peaveys) and find them to sound quite Ric-ish when placed in the Ric locations.