In praise of the model 220

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:02 pm

In recent weeks I've had the blues on my mind, and have begun using one of my most underplayed Rics--the model 220. With its unfinishied all-maple neck and fretboard and its humbuckers I'm finding that it definitely rocks, with a very non-stereotypical Ric sound that is absolutely great....the tone is very clear and un-muddy, and I find that I can get nice crunchy overdriven sounds without the feedback that I would normally get with a semi-hollow Ric. And although I am not normally a lead player, I am finding that they are sounding pretty good when I play them on this guitar.... I'm just surprised at how much I am liking it, because I normally am quite happy with the predictable jangle sounds that my other Rics produce so effortlessly!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:43 pm

Crikey, Melissa!!!

Just when I think I've beaten the disease you go and do something like that! I know some have a 'lowish' opinion of these but I like 'em!

Aaaarrrggghhhhhh!!

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:57 pm

Be patient, Aitch!

In a few months I'll let you play mine, and then you'll be able to decide for yourself how badly you want one....

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:41 pm

Goody, goody!! Another one to look forward to.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:38 am

I'm especially eager to do a side-by-side comparison with my 481 when it comes back from Paul....The 481 has never been very playable in the condition it was in....but I know Paul will give it a great setup after its dreamy color treatment! The 481 has the old-style humbuckers, and like the 220 it has a bolt-on neck, though it has the more conventional Ric finished rosewood fretboard with triangular inlays, and the wonderfully quirky slanted frets.... I am wondering how similar the two guitars will sound with identical amp settings.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:04 am

Melissa it sounds like you need to try a 650.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:18 am

Shhhhh! I don't need any more encouragement in my Ric addiction, LOL! I really am curious, though, about the difference in sound between the 220 and the 650. I would think the 650's neck-through design would give it more sustain....

Just an observation, the 220 has a very Strat-like sound.... it's really different, and so much fun! I was jamming with it again this morning, and was just floored by it again.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:32 am

There was comment some months back about the neck 'volute' on the 200 series and the apparent difficulties playing open or at the first fret as a consequence.

How do you find yours, Melibee?

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:18 am

Hmmmmm.... It doesn't seem to make any noticeable difference in playability to me--I guess that bare maple neck already feels different enough.... it seems that the "volute" has already tapered into the neck by the first fret on my guitar.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:28 pm

I had a BIG problem with the volute on my 230. I really loved the sound, but the volute & the feedback problem eventually led to its demise. It was very prone to feedback, much more so than my thinlines. It was a 1980, with single coils...a really great sound though.....I sometimes miss it!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:36 pm

I thought it was you that had the volute problem, Tony, but I didn't know about the feedback...... bad, huh?

Any feedback problems with yours, Melibee?

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:42 pm

No, quite the contrary! One of the things I love about this guitar is that I can play with a really crunchy overdrive, with no feedback, and lots of attitude! It must be the humbuckers that make the difference....

Tony, did your 230 have the regular Ric higains?

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:21 pm

I wonder if the volute on the 230's was different than that on the 220's, since the neck is different on the two? I still have my 230, and the volute is noticeable compared to some other guitars, but I'm usd to it and it doesn't really bother me. Tony, how do those single coils sound different than the humbuckers? My 230 is a 1989 and has the buckers and it is such a hot guitar. It just punishes amps and comes out sparkling, though it doesn't like blackface fenders for anything except clean tones.

Thats a pretty guitar Melissa.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:48 am

Thanks, Greg....

Here's a picture of just the face.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:50 am

It IS kind of a cool guitar, once you get over the fact that it's not a typical Ric shape.... I'm finding that it is GREAT for playing the blues.