In praise of the Ric 610
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
In praise of the Ric 610
I discovered this model early last year. I had been playing Fender Teles for years and have a Ric 360-12 & 360-6. A JG 610 with toasters came on e-bay and decided to take the plunge. It was pretty dirty and dinged up when I got it, but what a wonderful sounding guitar. It's small, light, easy to play, and packs a nice punch. As a result I've retired, after many years, the Teles and now exclusively gig with the Rics. I ended up getting a very nice FG 610 and just recently picked up a JG 610-12 to replace the 360-12 I sold a few months back. I replaced the Ric humbucking pickups in the FG with a set of pole adjusted Ric hi-gains.
There is so much emphasis placed on the classic 360 line that I think these models are under the radar. If you can find one they can still be had for a reasonable price, and I would highly recommend them. I paid under a grand for each of my three.
Just wanted to promote this model since I think it's way underrated. Here's a photo of the two six string 610s. Haven't yet taken a photo of the 12-string.
There is so much emphasis placed on the classic 360 line that I think these models are under the radar. If you can find one they can still be had for a reasonable price, and I would highly recommend them. I paid under a grand for each of my three.
Just wanted to promote this model since I think it's way underrated. Here's a photo of the two six string 610s. Haven't yet taken a photo of the 12-string.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
I'm all about 610's, especially 12ers! Post the 12 please!!!!! I owned a '91 610/12 FG and a '87 610/12 JG/BT which I loved. Nice small 80's necks. I bet the toasters sound killer!
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Although I've never had a chance to play a 610, after buying my first 620 last January I've been constantly prosletyzing its virtues. Since the 620 is just a 610 with binding, inlays and Rick-o-Sound (which I never use), I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say. I've never understood why these guitars aren't more popular than they are, since I think their quality and sound is every bit as good as the semi-hollows and I find them even more comfortable to play. 610s seem to typically go for a few hundred bucks less than 620s, which makes them to my mind one of the best guitar bargains out there -- if you can find one, that is.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Absolutely! It came that way and the guy who sold it to me said it was originally sold with the toasters. It came with the traditional "R" tailpiece and I installed the trapeze one. It's an '89. The FG is an '86, and the 12 is a '92.I bet the toasters sound killer!
Will post a pic of the 12. I really liked the 360-12 that I had, but to my ears the 610-12 sounds a bit better, more chime.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Good point. I think that bands like the Byrds, Beatles, Beach Boys, etc. made the 360 model more desirable, and those models were certainly more visible. And it became synonymous with the British Sound. Of course the 610 wasn't around in the 60s and was considered more of a budget guitar.I've never understood why these guitars aren't more popular than they are, since I think their quality and sound is every bit as good as the semi-hollows and I find them even more comfortable to play.
- sloop_john_b
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Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Gorgeous guitars! There is something special about those 610's.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Those are very nice.
I suppose the initial attraction to Rickenbackers has always been the 300 series (it's what we see most of), and then when you dig into Rickenbackers you discover these 600 beauties. And you say under a grand for each of the ones you bought? Wow.
I suppose the initial attraction to Rickenbackers has always been the 300 series (it's what we see most of), and then when you dig into Rickenbackers you discover these 600 beauties. And you say under a grand for each of the ones you bought? Wow.
- Ontario_RIC_fan
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Re: In praise of the Ric 610
A jg 610 sold on CL in Toronto in December for $800... I would have been tempted except i already have one!
I have had mine (made January 1991) since 1994. They are very under rated guitars!
Mine was BT when bought for $500. I added White/Chrome parts a few years back as that is my favorite Ric look...
I have had mine (made January 1991) since 1994. They are very under rated guitars!
Mine was BT when bought for $500. I added White/Chrome parts a few years back as that is my favorite Ric look...
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
- 8mileshigher
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In praise of the Ric 610
John, that's a nice pair of 610s !
Last edited by 8mileshigher on Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"What we've got is Blind Faith in each other" Steve Winwood, Newsweek July 28 1969
10 4003 FG
06 WB BRG
04 660-12 JG
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99 V64 six FG
96 650-A TQ
94 V64-12 JG
81 370-WB JG
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61 Cons Steel MG
10 4003 FG
06 WB BRG
04 660-12 JG
03 360-12 FG
99 V64 six FG
96 650-A TQ
94 V64-12 JG
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- Ontario_RIC_fan
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Re: In praise of the Ric 610
It was around back then! But with an accent vibrato - hence a 615 or Rose Morris 1995...Oskar wrote: And it became synonymous with the British Sound. Of course the 610 wasn't around in the 60s and was considered more of a budget guitar.
Ron Nasty of THE RUTLES - a major 60s band was the most famous player.. lol
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
I agree that the 600 series are very underated, too bad no one famous beside Ron played one! Although Tom Petty revived interest in them in the late 70's. I have a '67 615 & an '02 620 that are my main go-to guitars.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Shhhh...If we keep the 600 series our little secret, we'll always be able to snach them up, cheap!
Jangle, Chime & Twang.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Too late. I had no idea these could be had for under $1,000.Clint wrote:Shhhh...If we keep the 600 series our little secret, we'll always be able to snach them up, cheap!
I'm going to buy three of them.
Re: In praise of the Ric 610
Glad to see so many here appreciate these guitars. And thanks for the history note on Ron Nasty playing one. There is one down-side to the 610 for some, and that is the thin and narrow necks. I have small hands so it's no problem for me, but a friend of mine with bigger hands didn't feel that comfortable with it. Will hopefully post a pic of the 610-12 tomorrow. They do show up on e-Bay once in a while, but they always ask a lot, usually a BIN price of about $1200 to $1500. If someone is just selling it straight on e-bay (which was the was case the two I got; the 12 I found on CL in Texas) you can usually get them between $750 and a grand.