Full article on Guitarworld
Interesting read, even for those not into RIckie's. Oneof the nicest rock guitars I've played was a 200 series - think it was a 230 Hamburg (aka Standard) . Apparently the cheapest guitar they made! Easily my favourite Rickie sound - great for 80/90's rock, felt pretty good too - easy playing, almost like a shorter scale fender. Kinda like a SG/LP but a bit brighter.
“Rickenbacker co-founder George Beauchamp invented the electric guitar pickup in 1931 but they didn’t start manufacturing electric instruments until late 1932,” says Martin. “His pickup design featured two large horseshoe-shaped magnets to boost the signal, necessary because the suitable amplification was yet to be developed, plus the original coil slugs were made from non-magnetised ferrous metal. Pioneering times!
“By the late 60s, rock music was getting heavier, and musicians were demanding something else out of their guitars. Rickenbacker realised this and came out with the Hi-gain pickup. It is essentially the same pickup as the toaster, but with increased winding and exposed adjustable polepieces.
“The Hi-gain pickups were introduced on Rickenbacker guitars in early ’69 and they’re definitely a lot more versatile. They’ve got a fuller, bassier tone, but you can still get the classic Rickenbacker chime out of them. Peter Buck, Johnny Marr and Guy Picciotto [Fugazi] have put them to good use over the years.
