2003 RiffRaff A2

[Niilz]

  Hi there,

does anybody in this forum have an old 2003/2004 RiffRaff with 8,3k ohms/alnico ii or has anyone here made the switch to alnico ii on a newer RiffRaff?
I am just curious how it sounds...

[AndyR]

I imagine it will sound like a slightly hotter Stormy Monday?

I have both SM and A5 RR, and I suspect this could be quite cute. I have a feeling it would be too similar to SM to make much difference, though.

[darkandrew]

Are older Riff Raffs A2 then?

[Niilz]

Yes. In 2003/2004 - at least that's been said on the BKP homepage...

Here's the original promotion text:

RIFF RAFF humbucker   

Old school mentality with an edge. Punchy, bright and clear with just the right level of authority to make itself heard.

The Riff Raff humbucker's open coils are scatterwound one at a time by hand to retain its unique character and presence. Flawlessly hand-crafted with plain enamel wire, Alnico ll magnet, solid nickel baseplate, original braided two conductor wiring and wax potted to prevent microphonic feedback.
Nothing is left to chance, even with a lifetime guarantee, so when it comes to creating the best sounding pickup possible, Riff Raff will
always last the distance.

Suitable for bridge or neck position. Available with nickel silver or gold plated cover and four conductor wiring for series or parallel switching.

Wound, made and played the traditional way-by hand!

Technical Specifications

DC: 8.3k*
Magnet: Alnico II
Wiring: Braided Two Conductor
Covers: Black or Zebra Coils
Options: Available in calibrated sets

[ericsabbath]

interesting
I was wondering about trying A2 or A4 a week ago

shouldn't be exactly like a mule or an overwound stormy monday cause those have asymmetrical coils, while the riff raff is symmetrically wound

I suppose A2 would  make it really middy and softer on the high end, but a lot less defined on the lows

[gwEm]

Tim has evolved a few of the designs over the years. Some have been tweaks, others more radical.

I recall in the early days, he once remarked he didn't have quite as good A2 stocks as he does now.

Anyway, for me the Riff Raff is all about those dry and biting A5 magnets. I'm not even sure I'd want to try it with another kind.

[ericsabbath]

Anyway, for me the Riff Raff is all about those dry and biting A5 magnets. I'm not even sure I'd want to try it with another kind.

that was my thought
and thats actually what makes it the most versatile bridge pup I ever played
I would try it for a couple weeks just for the experience, but would end up going back to the stock magnet
still fancy about having a middier voiced mule, though

[darkandrew]

Tim has evolved a few of the designs over the years. Some have been tweaks, others more radical.

I didn't realise that. So which pickups have changed over the years and how?

[PhilKing]

Most radical was the Holydiver, other than that, all the original pickups have been tweaked.  If I remember correctly, Tim told me one time that it was because he was voicing everything with his Zack Wilde Marshalls and as he got more amps realised that he needed to revoice them slightly.  I know the Emeralds were changed as I still have an original and a newer set.