620 vs. 660 for Tele player

fenderslash · Post by **fenderslash** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:38 pm

Hi guys,

For a long time I've been taken with the sound of Rics, as well as the looks of the solidbody models, and a few months ago I finally took the plunge and placed an order for a Midnight Blue 620. Unfortunately finding any new Rickenbacker stock in a shop here is practically impossible, so I had to risk placing the order with nothing but internet research to help me make my choice.

Lately I've been reading reviews from people saying that the narrow spacing of the strings is hard to get used to, which is making me worry a little that I haven’t made the right choice in ordering the 620. I know that the neck width of the 660 is a little wider than the 620 so perhaps that’s the model I should have gone for instead.

I realise that for every person on this forum who prefers the 620 there’d be another who prefers the 660. But I'm hoping some people here who have had plenty of experience with Fender Telecasters could guide me, because I've used Teles as my main gigging guitars for the last 16 or so years: which would be more comfortable for a long-time Tele player... the 620 or 660? Also I’ve read that over the years the neck size of Rics has changed, so I’m obviously only interested in people’s opinions of what is currently available brand new. Any guidance would be much appreciated, as due to the long delays when ordering one of these I may still have a chance to change my order.

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:52 am

I have had both the 660 and the 620 as well as a MIM fender '72 custom. I traded the 660 for a twelve string and last year got a 620. The 620 neck is fine to me and some what slightly wider than on a 360 thin-line. I really like it and the 660's neck was very wide in relation to all the guitars that I had at the time, including a tele and two gretsches - it was like a base ball bat sawed in half. The 660 is stunning and is a great guitar, but, so is the 620 stock. It is a '50s rossmeisel design and has a great sound and a superior value at its price point in the market.

good luck

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:47 am

Hi Carl, welcome to the forum. I don't think that you will have any trouble. I have used Tele's extensively in my career, but but have always used Rics & use Rics exclusively now & found no trouble in switching between the two. David says that the 620 neck is slightly wider than a 360, but according to Ric, this is not the case. The 620, 330, 360 necks are all the same width. I use the thinlines (330, 1997, 360v64 etc) & have owned a 620, which felt the same neck wise, but I much prefer the thinline size & sound. I have tried the wider necks of the 660 & 650's, but much prefer the standard Ric width.
You'll be fine!

xcoyle · Post by **xcoyle** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:43 am

The 620 is closer to a Tele spacing than a 660, so I think you will be happy with your choice. A lot of the posts talking about 660 spacing is referring to the 12 strings. Try to image 12 strings on your Tele. Ric does not widen the necks for the 12 string versions of their guitars. So the wider neck of the 660 appeals to a lot of people for a 12 string.

bbobb24 · Post by **bbobb24** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:52 am

I personally love the feel and playability of the 660 6 string. Having all that room makes me play a little differently on that guitar. I flipped a coin between the 620 and 660 models and the 660 was the perfect choice for me.

It's good to have choices isn't it?

meez · Post by **meez** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:31 am

As an exclusive Tele player most of my life, I am in the exact same boat as Carl. I have just purchased a 620 jetglo, and am waiting for my girlfriends mom to drive it back to me.
as Carl stated, since Rics, specifically the 600 series never come around my neck of the woods, I tried out a 360, found the neck fine, and went ahead and hoped the sound of the 620 was what i was looking for.
I've heard that most Rics have better sustain than tele's because of the neck through body. is this the case?
i own a mexican tele, and i love its playability, it just lacks some of the bright tones i am looking for when playing simple open chords. I truly hope the Ric sounds better, but through research I am sure it will. This is the first guitar I have ever purchased without playing first.
As an anticipated Ric player (Monday of next week I get my hands on it), I hope that the 620 smokes it outta the water. (the tele)
Carl, I will keep you posted on differences I notice between the 620 and the Tele.

danbind · Post by **danbind** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:18 pm

This is timely, as, like Scott, I just placed an order for a 620 sight unseen (a first, and against my SOP), and like Carl, I'm a lifelong narrow-neck Tele player. I saw the narrow neck as a GOOD thing (almost exactly the same as my '74 Tele).

Now I just have to hope I get the thing (Fireglo lefty) before 2006.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:23 pm

Welcome to the family Dan! Rickenbackers are one of the very few instruments that can be purchased sight unseen as the quality is first rate!

xcoyle · Post by **xcoyle** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:14 pm

Guys, post some pics when you get your new guitars.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:28 pm

Good on ya, Dan and Carl!!

fenderslash · Post by **fenderslash** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:39 pm

Thanks for all the objective advice guys - I have to admit that I thought I might get flamed in at least a couple of posts for being a long-time Fender user posting on the Rickenbacker forum, so thanks to all for taking my question seriously.

You have all certainly eased my mind a lot regarding the concerns I had, so I'm going to leave my 620 order stand and continue to wait with knee-trembling anticipation. I have lately been getting the impression that the 620's spacing was narrower than the norm, but it appears that the 660's is actually wider than the norm. I'm happy with my choice now.

I have discovered over the last few years that when I stray from my Teles and try something different it always feels awkward and uncomfortable to varying degrees until I spend a LOT of time getting used to them, due to various factors such as body size, etc. I'm sure the 620 will be the same, but the purpose of my question was to eliminate one variable and at least make the best choice between the 620 and 660.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:43 am

Everybody has been focusing on sound, string spacing, etc., but wait 'til you strap it on. It's tiny! When you switch back to your Tele you'll feel like you have a ping pong table around your neck!

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:23 am

Imagine going from a 620 or 660 to a 330 !!! You'd feel like you were wearing your front door.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:48 am

Strangely enough Steve, that is not the case, as they weigh approx the same. Going from a 350 to a 330....now that's a different matter!!

golfo · Post by **golfo** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:58 am

am i understanding that the 620 and 660 is quite a bit smaller than the 330?
geoff