| Author |
Topic: Rickenbacker D8 Electronics questions |
Victor Skidanenko
From:
San Jose, CA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2018 11:42 pm |
|
Hello all!
I have got a Rickenbacker Dual 8 console from the 50s. Both pickups are wired to a master tone and volume control. Each pickup has its own on/off switch.
I noticed the pickup on the lower neck is significantly louder than the upper neck. I tried to raise the pickup on the higher neck but it made little difference. Does anyone have any idea how to get more output from the pickup? It is a Rickenbacker horseshoe style pickup.
Also when I switch off one of the necks, the neck that is currently on gets a good volume boost. If I have both necks on, there is less output overall. Is that normal with dual neck steels?
Thanks in advance! |
|
|
 |
Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
|
Posted 16 Feb 2018 12:42 am
|
|
Less output with both necks on is normal for double neck steels.
Sorry, I can't help with the Rickenbacker pickups. |
|
|
|
David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
|
Posted 16 Feb 2018 2:52 am
|
|
I had a Rickenbacker D8 console that had the same problem. On mine, the outside neck was noticeably less loud than the inside neck and somewhat tinny sounding. When I measured the resistance of the coil, the outside neck was completely open. Never registered on the meter, but it still played. Apparently, sometimes when a coil opens up, a capacitive connection between the open wires can still pass a signal, but just like in a tone control, it only passes the higher frequencies. I've heard of pickups with this condition referred to as "Zombie" pickups.
A quick trip to Tom Brantley for a rewind, and it was good as new. Both necks played loud and strong and with full frequency response.
Dave |
|
|
|
