Ric addict in need of therapy or advice

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:45 am

I like that, see, I'm looking for someone to talk me into it !! The best deal looks like MF. Anyone have anything to say about buying a Ric from them ?

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:49 am

Looks like old Pete Buck has played several Ric's throughout the history of REM, but I know the 360JG has been his mainstay. It has the girly sticker on it. In "The One I Love" video, there are some great up-close shots of that guitar.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:53 am

Steve: Right you are. He played a number of Rickenbackers. The good news for you is that he used 24 fret models so they are all available to you.

Give me a V, give me an I, give me an S ....

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 4:07 am

... give me an A. OK, I get it, that is cute.

I have run across a JG 370 VP, but I am not familiar with the tone of such an arrangement. I would have to fly to DC to try it. If I thought it would sound different than my 330, but still great, I wouldn't feel as much anguish.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue May 03, 2005 4:16 am

It is interesting that the thought of getting a 360 will diminish the delights of the 330. I have gone totaly the opposite way. My 360 FG used to be my dream gtr, untill I found the simple pleasures of the 330. Now, that shape is all I own (admittedly there is a 360V64/12 & a couple of 1997's in there as well). I think that the extra body cavity space afforded by the shape gives it the edge on sound & although the rounded 360 shape has been with us since '64, the 330 shape still seems like 'the' quintessential Rickenbacker.

Maybe Rose Morris had it right....being British, I do like dot necks (& F holes). I love all Rics, but the humble 330 is both timeless & effortless to both the hand & the eye!

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 4:24 am

Anthony, I thought I saw a picture, that you posted, of a 360 JG next to a Marshall stack. I remember that picture piercing my heart.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue May 03, 2005 5:04 am

You're right Steve. At that time I had a FG & a JG 360. The JG never sounded as good as the FG & wasn't really used much as a result. I have sold them both, but kept the pickups from my FG & intend putting them in my 1980 330 next week. My '92 1997 is the best playing & sounding Ric that I have ever had, or heard & has become the benchmark for my small (6) stable of 'players'. I work hard on the sound of my gtrs & there is no doubt in my mind that the 330 shape, on the whole, does sound slightly better. There are always exceptions though!

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 5:36 am

Interesting, you are probably one of only a handful of people who has extensive experience with both the 330 and 360 models. I have read of several people who can't tell the difference between the 330 and 360, and even 620, for that matter. They just say "it sounds like a Ric". At least I know that, when you get a great one, you should not take it for granted.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue May 03, 2005 7:16 am

They all sound like a Ric Steve, but within that classification, they can actualy sound wildly different. I am fortunate enough to do a tremendous amount of studio work in some pretty top studios with my producer hat on & so sound is my 'thing', so to speak. I am often amazed by what I can hear & the client can't, sometimes quite drastic problems. It is not because I'm clever & they're not, it's just that I work with sound everyday of my working life & have the experience to tune in to what I am listening for. Rickenbackers are far more adaptable than nearly everyone gives credit for, but the same model can sound different to a seemingly identical one when A/B'd. I am also fortunate enough that I have tried a great many Rics to be able to do the comparison. If I only had one & that's all I ever owned, then it would still be a great Ric sound, but when you do get to try loads of gtrs in a controlled listening environment, then you can get a little choosey!

revolver · Post by **revolver** » Tue May 03, 2005 7:56 am

This 360 vs. 330 talk really hits home. I had my first Ric (a maple glo 360) for about 2 years.

I had always liked the look of the 330, but never really played one that "felt" good. So I got the 360, I liked the fret markers, neck and body binding. It felt like a much higher quality guitar than a 330.

All that changed about two weeks ago when I picked up a 2003 330 in a local guitar shop. It felt amazing! Great neck, beautiful setup. So I got it (had to sell the 360 to afford it though!)

I now totally prefer it over the 360. It seems to balance and sit better when standing, and it actually sounds better. I'm not sure how to describe it, it almost sounds like there's more gain than the 360. It seems tighter some how. I would have expected them to sound identical, but they don't.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 8:03 am

Nice. Does the JG shine well enough in person ? As smudgy as they say ?? Interesting comments, this is not the first time I have heard this either. I have both body styles, I can say that both are equally comfortable for me. I agree, I love my 330, it sounds and plays great. Maybe I need to give the 360 a spin, and see for myself.

revolver · Post by **revolver** » Tue May 03, 2005 8:08 am

The JG is a bit annoying to clean, even two weeks in. The Ric polishing cloth leaves very visible lint on the JG that I never noticed on the MG. But when is is clean it's like glass!

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 8:14 am

I have heard there is stuff that you can put on it to prevent it from smudging so much. I read it on here, but I forgot what it is called.

revolver · Post by **revolver** » Tue May 03, 2005 8:16 am

Yeah, I think I did come across a thread about that.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Tue May 03, 2005 8:40 am

Jingle Jangle says a spray of Brillianize or Meguiar's Final Detail will prevent excessive smudging for JG.