Custom Handwound Replacement Ric®, Rickenbacker® & Toaster® Style Pickups
Vintage, Modern & Alternative Designs - Custom Handwound Replacement Pickups for your Ric® Guitar
From the vintage bright, jangly sounds of the 50's originals, through the higher output '60s versions to modern & humbucker replacements, my Ric® & Toaster® style pickup range has been designed for a variety of sounds & playing styles - from clear, bright and well defined voices to modern, higher output versions.
My replacement Rickenbacker® style pickups are all handwound here in my workshop. Each pickup is wound at slowish speed with vintage correct thin 44AWG coil wire for my take on the original designs and can be wax-potted in a measured combination of beeswax and paraffin to cut down on microphonics.
I wind all replacement Ric® style Humbucker Pickups with a small, specific coil offset to open up more frequencies. A humbucker by nature cancels some of the buzz you get with 60 cycle hum but in doing so a whole lot of other frequencies are shut out too which can lead to a somewhat sterile sound. I claw some of these frequencies back through custom winding on a machine I designed & built myself.
If you're after a custom set of replacement Rickenbacker® or Toaster® style Pickups, just get in touch with details of the kind of voice/output you're after and I can work on the best design for you. I don't have pickups all boxed up ready to send out, each order is custom made so I can tweak the specifications to suit your own guitar & playing.
Handwound at my workshop here in Manchester
RIC™, Rickenbacker® , and Toaster® are trademarks of Rickenbacker Int’l Corp. Creamery Pickups and Rickenbacker are not affiliated.
New! Ric pickups can now be ordered with black covers - just ask.
Use the tab menu below to view the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
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Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups
Low '57
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 6.6k Neck Output 5.3k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Low '57 Pickup
The Classic, Late '50s Bright, Jangly Ric® Single Coil Sound
The classic 50's jangle & chime - That bright, jangly, unique sound that cuts straight through the mix.
Bright, tight with great clarity and definition I make my Low '57 Ric® style replacements calibrated with a slightly lower neck pickup output for good volume balance through the positions though do offer them as a more vintage correct set with matching Bridge & Neck outputs.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, late '50s / early '60s sound.
Toaster® pickups from the '50s tended to have the lower output whereas into the '60s, the output was increased a little - So with this in mind you can choose which version you'd like. The Low '57 version will sound that little brighter, a little lower in volume than the Mid '63 so if you're after the late '50s sound then go for the Low '57. If you're after that early/mid '60s sound then go for the medium output Mid '63. Both have that sweet, bright sound, the Medium output version being that little fatter, that little bit rounder.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups
Mid '63
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 8.7k Neck Output 7.4k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Mid '63 Pickup
The Classic, Bright, Jangly Mid '60s Ric® Single Coil Sound
The classic 60's jangle & chime - Still that bright, jangly, unique sound a little sweeter, a little rounder than the Low '57.
Bright, tight with great clarity and definition I make my Mid '68 Ric® style replacements calibrated with a slightly lower neck pickup output for good volume balance through the positions though do offer them as a more vintage correct set with matching Bridge & Neck outputs.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, early/mid '60s sound - with slightly rolled back highs, a little more in the mid-range than the Low '57.
Toaster® pickups from the '50s tended to have the lower output whereas into the '60s, the output was increased a little - So with this in mind you can choose which version you'd like. The Low '57 version will sound that little brighter, a little lower in volume than the Mid '63 so if you're after the late '50s sound then go for the Low '57. If you're after that early/mid '60s sound then go for the medium output Mid '63. Both have that sweet, bright sound, the Medium output version being that little fatter, that little bit rounder.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups
High '68
Magnets 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods or Ceramic Bar Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 12.4k Neck Output 10.6k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement High '68 Pickup
The Fatter, Higher Output, Late '60s Ric® Style Single Coil Sound but in either Toaster® style or Open Face Design
I wanted to make a version of the famous Rickenbacker® Hi-Gain Pickups but with more clarity & definition. The original & Modern reissue Hi-Gain pickup designs utilise a strong Ceramic bar magnet underneath and ferrous pole screws through the overwound coil and as well as making a great sounding modern reproduction, I also wanted to make a replacement that was more true to the original individual Alnico rod magnet design. With the much thinner 44AWG coil wire comes more mid-range, especially in such an overwound coil and after many, many prototypes, I signed off these final designs & specifications.
Available in either Toaster® style covers with Alnico Rods or traditional open style with Ceramic Bar
I've had both sets of covers custom manufactured, the classic Toaster® style which is my personal favourite and the open face style cover or you can select a version truer to the original Hi-Gain pickup Specifications with Hex/Allen Bolts & Ceramic Bar Magnet in a chrome open-frame cover The Alnico Rod version is a little crunchier, a little brighter, a little punchier whereas the Ceramic Bar version a little dirtier, a little grittier.
Fatter, warmer that pushes the amp more, I've designed my own version of the famous Hi-Gain pickups again with a custom neck specification & pickup output for good volume balance through the positions.
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Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups
Low '57 Humbucker
Magnets Dual Alnico 5 Bar Magnets Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 6.6k Neck Output 5.3k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Low '57 Humbucker Pickup
The Classic, Bright, Jangly Ric® Sound in a Hum-Cancelling Design
I wanted to make hum-cancelling versions of my replacement Ric® Pickups and after working on many designs I just found the final sound was moving too far away from what makes Rickenbacker® guitars unique. So I simply went back to the drawing board and designed these, a dual hidden Alnico blade design based on each of my Ric® Single Coil rang.
Essentially a hum-cancelling version of my Low '57 - slightly fatter, crunchier than its single coil equivalent but still with that classic bright jangle.
With my replacement Ric® style hum-cancelling pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound which helps more dynamics with a richer clarity & string definition. A rich, clear, hum-cancelling version of my Low '57.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups
Mid '63 Humbucker
Magnets Dual Alnico 5 Bar Magnets Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 8.7k Neck Output 7.4k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Mid '63 Humbucker Pickup
The Classic, Bright, Jangly Ric® Sound in a Hum-Cancelling Design
I wanted to make hum-cancelling versions of my replacement Ric® Pickups and after working on many designs I just found the final sound was moving too far away from what makes Rickenbacker® guitars unique. So I simply went back to the drawing board and designed these, a dual hidden Alnico blade design based on each of my Ric® Single Coil rang.
Essentially a hum-cancelling version of my Mid '63 - slightly fatter, crunchier than its single coil equivalent but still with that classic bright jangle with that little more mid-range than the Mid '63 version.
With my replacement Ric® style hum-cancelling pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound which helps more dynamics with a richer clarity & string definition. A rich, clear, hum-cancelling version of my Mid '63.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups
High '68 Humbucker
Magnets Dual Alnico 5 Bar Magnets Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 12.4k Neck Output 11.6k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement High '68 Humbucker Pickup
The Fatter, Higher Output Ric® Sound in a Hum-Cancelling Design
I wanted to make hum-cancelling versions of my replacement Ric® Pickups and after working on many designs I just found the final sound was moving too far away from what makes Rickenbacker® guitars unique. So I simply went back to the drawing board and designed these, a dual hidden Alnico blade design based on each of my Ric® Single Coil rang.
Essentially a hum-cancelling version of my High '68 - slightly fatter, crunchier than its single coil equivalent but still with that classic bright jangle with that little more mid-range than the High '68 version.
With my replacement Ric® style hum-cancelling pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound which helps more dynamics with a richer clarity & string definition. A rich, clear, hum-cancelling version of my High '68.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
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Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Bass Pickups
Ric Bass
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 8.7k or 12.4k Neck Output 7.4k or 10.6k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Single Coil Bass Pickup
The Classic, Ric® Single Coil Bass Sound
The Ric bass sound in a traditional Toaster® or Open Frame style, calibrated bridge & neck set in either Toaster® style, open face or to fit the 4000 series horseshoe bridge surround.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, bass sound - with slightly rolled back highs, a little more in the mid-range.
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Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Bass Pickups
Bass Humbucker
Magnets Dual Alnico 5 Bar Magnets Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 8.7k or 12.4k Neck Output 7.4k or 11.6k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Bass Humbucker Pickup Set
The Classic Ric® Bass Sound in a Toaster® or Open Frame style Hum-Cancelling Design
I wanted to make hum-cancelling versions of my replacement Ric® Pickups and after working on many designs I just found the final sound was moving too far away from what makes Rickenbacker® guitars unique. So I simply went back to the drawing board and designed these, a dual hidden Alnico blade design based on each of my Ric® style Mid Single Coil designs.
Essentially a hum-cancelling version of my Mid '63 or High '68 - slightly fatter, crunchier than its single coil equivalent.
With my replacement Ric® style hum-cancelling Bass pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound which helps more dynamics with a richer clarity & string definition. A rich, clear, hum-cancelling version of my single coils.
Available in classic Toaster® or Open Face Style with textured vinyl top plate. Also available to fit the 4000 series horseshoe bridge surround.
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Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups - Gibson/PAF/Humbucker Size
Ric® Toaster® Style - PAF Size
Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups - PAF Size
Choose from any of my classic Ric® style designs in a standard Gibson/PAF/Humbucker Size
I had a number of requests to design these classic Toaster® styles but to fit a standard Les Paul or dual Humbucker guitar so here they are.
All my Ric® style pickups in a standard Gibson / PAF / Humbucker size are available in traditional Toaster® style covers or alternativly, you can have them in closed chrome, nickel or even my Gold / Silver Foil designs - Plus more options available at the checkout.
Low '57
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 6.6k Neck Output 5.3k
Creamery Custom Ric® Style Low '57 Pickup
The Classic, Late '50s Bright, Jangly Ric® Single Coil Sound
The classic 50's jangle & chime - That bright, jangly, unique sound that cuts straight through the mix.
Bright, tight with great clarity and definition I make my Low '57 Ric® style replacements calibrated with a slightly lower neck pickup output for good volume balance through the positions though do offer them as a more vintage correct set with matching Bridge & Neck outputs.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, late '50s / early '60s sound.
Toaster® pickups from the '50s tended to have the lower output whereas into the '60s, the output was increased a little - So with this in mind you can choose which version you'd like. The Low '57 version will sound that little brighter, a little lower in volume than the Mid '63 so if you're after the late '50s sound then go for the Low '57. If you're after that early/mid '60s sound then go for the medium output Mid '63. Both have that sweet, bright sound, the Medium output version being that little fatter, that little bit rounder.
Mid '63
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 8.7k Neck Output 7.4k
Creamery Ric® Style Mid '63 Pickup
The Classic, Early '60s Bright, Jangly Ric® Single Coil Sound
The classic 60's jangle & chime - Still that bright, jangly, unique sound a little sweeter, a little rounder than the Low '57.
Bright, tight with great clarity and definition I make my Mid '68 Ric® style replacements calibrated with a slightly lower neck pickup output for good volume balance through the positions though do offer them as a more vintage correct set with matching Bridge & Neck outputs.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, early/mid '60s sound - with slightly rolled back highs, a little more in the mid-range than the Low '57.
Toaster® pickups from the '50s tended to have the lower output whereas into the '60s, the output was increased a little - So with this in mind you can choose which version you'd like. The Low '57 version will sound that little brighter, a little lower in volume than the Mid '63 so if you're after the late '50s sound then go for the Low '57. If you're after that early/mid '60s sound then go for the medium output Mid '63. Both have that sweet, bright sound, the Medium output version being that little fatter, that little bit rounder.
High '68
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods or Ceramic Bar Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 12.4k Neck Output 10.6k
Creamery Custom Ric® Style Replacement High '68 Pickup
The Fatter, Higher Output, Late '60s Ric® Style Single Coil Sound
I wanted to make a version of the famous Rickenbacker® Hi-Gain Pickups but with more clarity & definition. The original & Modern reissue Hi-Gain pickup designs utilise a strong Ceramic bar magnet underneath and ferrous pole screws through the overwound coil and as well as making a great sounding modern reproduction, I also wanted to make a replacement that was more true to the original individual Alnico rod magnet design. With the much thinner 44AWG coil wire comes more mid-range, especially in such an overwound coil and after many, many prototypes, I signed off these final designs & specifications.
Available in either Toaster® style with Alnico Rods or traditional open style with Ceramic Bar
Fatter, warmer that pushes the amp more, I've designed my own version of the famous Hi-Gain pickups again with a custom neck specification & pickup output for good volume balance through the positions.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups
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Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Sonic '60 Pickups
Sonic '60 for Rickenbacker®
Magnets Alnico 2 or 5 Coil Wire 42AWG or 43AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 8.7k or 12.4k Neck Output 7.4k or 10.6k Creamery Custom Ric® Replacement Sonic '60 Pickup
Richer, Sweeter, Smoother Ric® Single Coil Sounds
With handwound coils pressed around the custom magnets and wax potted in a combination of paraffin & beeswax, my new Sonic '60 Jaguar replacement pickups give that richer, musical sound synonimous with the old classic Burns Tri-Sonic® design.
Geometry dictates they won't sound identical to the old 60s classics as the pickups are slimmer and I use my custom made thinner magnets inside the pressed coil, but they're designed & tested to be richer, sweeter, smoother and more rounded than traditional Ric® pickups.
With a choice of magnets, you can choose to have a warmer or brighter version. Alnico 2 'holds' the strings a little less, allowing them to vibrate a little more freely giving a perceived slightly warmer, more resonant sound.
Alnico 5 offers a slightly brighter, more attacking characteristic than Alnico 2 but a little more rounded than the ceramic option.
'Mid-Range' Version
I designed these after feedback from players who loved the brighter standard Sonic '60s I made for them but wanted a fatter, hotter, more mid-range version in their 2nd guitar to compliment - Not everyone has two guitars so if you're looking for more mid-range to your sound, and want something a little different, an alternative to brighter single coils, then maybe the Sonic '60 'Mid-Range' pickups could be for you.
Whereas the 'Treble' Sonic '60s are wound with thicker 42awg coil wire and are available in a variety of Alnico magnet choices, I spent a long time on the new 'Mid-Range' 43awg versions and concluded, after much testing, that the stronger Alnico 5 worked best. You can choose either based on your own preference, Alnico 5 being the strongest with a little more output and more cooler focus whereas the weaker Alnico 2 is that little bit warmer, sweeter but with less attack.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Rickenbacker® Pickups