Help a Newbie

byrdwatcher · Post by **byrdwatcher** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 11:06 am

I'm new to Ricks, and haven't been able to track down any answers to my questions about whether I should purchase a 620 or 660. Neck size isn't much of a concern, as I'm comfortable with the dimensions of both models. Mostly, I'm concerned about sound. Please help!

Both of these guitars would be a MAJOR investment for me, but I'm willing to shell out the extra $ for a 660 (preferably a used one) if it's what I need. Here, then, are my questions. There are a lot, but whatever help y'all can offer will be appreciated. There's nowhere local I can go to test these guitars out, so I'll almost have to buy one by mail.

1)I definitely want as much Rickenbacker "jangle" as I can get. Are the regular single-coils on the 620 substantially different from the "toaster" pickups?

2)Are the regular 620 single-coils what everyone refers to as "hi-gain", or does that term apply to the humbuckers? I want single coils for sure.

3)I don't need a super-technical answer for this, but are the newer scatterwound toasters generally preferable to the older (non-vintage) scatterwounds? What year were the scatterwounds introduced?

4) I've seen different info on this: isn't there a 620 "V" model? Was it a limited edition thing, or what?

Thanks again for your help!
Spencer Brown

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 4:40 pm

Spencer, if you wish to go for the vintage jangle I would recommend the toasters over the high gains. High gains are single coil pickups and are not to be confused with the Rickenbacker humbuckers. The newer scatterwounds are closer to the classic vintage jangle and that would be my reccomendation for you. I replaced my high gains with scatterwound toasters and was pleasantly pleased with the result. There is no 620V series to my knowledge. I hope others provide you with the benefit of their opinion as well.

gregcon · Post by **gregcon** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 5:29 pm

I would recommend the 660. I like the look of the gold plastic bits, the retro tail section, checkerboard binding, big triangle markers, and the toaster pups. The toasters sound great, and if you want distortion, just get an amp that has a lot of gain. The toasters into a hi-gain amp sound very potent. I'd much rather have amp gain then hot pups.
Clean, they jangle like nothing else.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Sun Mar 03, 2002 7:54 pm

If you're comfortable with the standard size RIC neck and you're trying to keep costs "down," you could get a used 620 and change the pickups to Toaster pickups. Even if you chose to buy new, you would pay less for a 620 with the VP (Vintage Pickups; i.e., Toasters) option.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 1:36 am

Spencer: As an afterthought, the V to which you refer may have been the code for vintage pickups (VP) or the vibrato (VB) option.

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 3:48 am

I too have a 660-6 and did a similar debate in 2000. The 660 is a tremendous guitar and I guess that it hits the jangle better than the higains. That being said, high gains still have a lot of jangle (my 360 has them). The esthetics are excellent with a 660 : premium woods, (birds-eye maple), the fireglo and the gold appointments are super together. The neck is bigger but also the markers are full length on each fret like the vintage deluxe rics. I have heard that the vintage p/ups can make a warmer sound on a solid bodied rick. That is to say, perhaps I did not personally notice the difference between the p/up because my 360 semi hollow had a higains w/ glued in neck and my solid body 660 had vintage p/ups w/ a through-neck.

The wood and the neck joint do more for the sound than the p/ups in general.

With such a signature sound, it is hard to believe that hi-gains would have been introduced by Ric, if they would terribly alter the sound of this type of guitar. Higains do get through the mix a little better. On my tech 21 trade mark ten, with both rics, I get some serious distortion from the Marshall and Mesaboogie analogue settings (not really my thing though).

While many on this site are convinced that toasters are the answer, I am less so. If possible, try them out first with an amp that is like your own.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 4:11 am

A good analysis David. RIC introduced the high gains as it was more in keeping with the sound of the day. To this end, the high gains have served them well. You are right, in my view, the high gains have a jangle to them as well and they are hotter as well. In the end, it is purely a matter of sound preference.

sjb66 · Post by **sjb66** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 5:32 am

I have a 620/12 with high gains, and I love the sound they produce. So much so, that I now want a 6 string 620 for recording purposes. And possibly as a good rocking rhtym guitar.
Karl

byrdwatcher · Post by **byrdwatcher** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 5:56 am

I can't thank everyone enough for the informative opinions! You guys have offered me several insights I couldn't hope to find anywhere else, and I really appreciate that.

I'll have to think some more about high gain vs. toaster pickups. I run stereo through an all-tube Marshall 2 x 10 JTM 30 and a Roland JC-77 (the 2 x 10 version of the JC-120 Jazz Chorus). An ancient DigiTech effects processor connects both amps, with the Roland as the rig's "slave" component. The Marshall does most of the work.

My preferred distortion sounds aren't extreme. I'm a huge fan of Eric Johnson's and Roger McGuinn's "buttery" lead work, but when it comes to playing rhythm stuff (my area of expertise), I like a dirty sound that still allows for individual notes to be heard in each chord. For example, I love the rhythm sound on the Smithereens' track "Blood and Roses".

Anyway, sorry for the ramble. Thanks again, everyone!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 6:15 am

Spencer: After reading your most recent comments, I have the solution for you. Two Rickenbackers, one with high gains and one with vintage toasters! Phew. Thank goodness that is solved. Let us know when they arrive. The detective is always on the case.

tomcollins · Post by **tomcollins** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 10:06 am

I think your primary concern here should not be the pickup type, as that can be altered fairly easily, but, instead, the neck width, which you will have to live with once the guitar is purchased. Here is my own opinion based on the experience of owning over twenty Rics, a few Fenders and a few Gretsches:

The wider neck of the Ric 660 is WONDERFUL on the 12-string model. No question; great! However, I would rather have the standard width neck on the 6-string guitar, so, as far as 6-strings are concerned, I'd go with the 620. Now, let me throw another wrench into the fire here and ask if you've ever thought of going toward a 350v63 (the full scale version of Lennon's guitar) as far as 6-strings are concerned? Since you're going to throw out a chunk of change anyway, take a look at this instrument. Three vintage, scatter-wound pickups already in place! I believe it to be the best sounding, best playing 6-string Ric makes, and I've owned them all. Take a look.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 6:37 am

Gregory is right, the 350v63 is an amazing guitar that looks the Lennon part and plays like a dream. Saving up for one right now, actually!

ricrocks · Post by **ricrocks** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 6:58 am

I would assume that you've seen it, but there is a beautiful 350V63 Mapleglo on ebay. Its been there 3 days and not one bid. I wonder why... the price seems very reasonable.

RIC Rocks!

philco · Post by **philco** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 9:55 am

Since neck size is not a major concern, but the jingle-jangle sound at the lowest price is, why not consider a 650D and changing out the humbuckers with vintage toasters? This is $300 less expensive at retail than going with a 620 and about $800 less expensive at retail than a 660. You also gain a 24-fret neck that the 620 and 660 do not have.

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 5:32 am

I own the 660 and a 360 and am trading the 660 for a 360/12vp. The 660 is the most "beautiful" guitar I own, but the neck is large for the six strings. The wood, the gold scratchboard & logo are stunning as well. I have tried 620's, 330s, 360s & the 660s. They are all terrific. I personnally want to stay with the semi-hollow bodies and I find the design of the post 64 360s to be my preference. The 620's wood will have less of a vibrant mable (birds'eyes, tiger stripes, etc), but they are tremendous value. Also, the lap part of the 600 series are small and may slip a bit if you sit when you play. I've owned epis, fenders, gretsches & rics, and I think the best are the rics dollar for dollar, esthetics, fidelity to the original guitar, workmanship, etc, etc. I'm a believer among all of the others here. the 350v63 is a neat idea as well, but I have never played that one.

enjoy and good luck