Humblest is best?

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:54 am

As many of you know, I have been lucky enough to have owned dozens of Rickenbackers, both 'exotic' & more 'basic'. Why is it then, that every gtr that I get has to live up to my '97 330, to which I added a third hi-gain & an accent? I have still never found it's equal in sound. I have discovered that most Rics sound different to each other, even if they are the same year & model & luckily, I have had the experience to try a lot out. I will get a new Ric & with a single chord, I know if it comes up to spec or not.

I'd love my ultimate Ric to be a double bound, highly flamed, rare, desirable one of a kind beauty....but reality is, that my perfect Ric, is a slightly dented customised '97 345, that is perfect in EVERY way to me!

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:40 pm

That is absolutely breathtakingly heartbreakingly beautiful! I like the gold guards, vintage knobs, and Ac'cent vibrato--what a cool guitar!

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:45 pm

Nice Tony,

Very very nice to be truthful. Can you describe the range of sounds that you get with this one?

Why do you suppose that it sounds so good? Any further thoughts on that issue that you can share with us?

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:12 pm

Thanks Melli...there are so many 'deluxe' Rics out there, that I always look on this one as a little 'plain', but now you come to mention it...yes...it is beautiful!

I must confess Brian, that I am a little perplexed as to why this sounds as good as it does. We all have our own interpretation of the definitive Ric sound, but this one is not too soft & not to hard. It has a very well defined & 'rounded' sound, that is great for rythm & lead sounds. Like I said, I have a lot of experience with Ric gtrs & am able to do direct comparisons with many gtrs & this is just the best that I have ever heard.

Strangly though, the pickups are from a '99 360 that sounded particularly good. For various reasons, I sold the 360, but managed to retain the pickups, which were then put into this gtr, along with it's original bridge pickup, placed in the middle. IMO, 330's have the edge soundwise, over the 360, but these pickups are superb & really do sound stunning in this gtr & even better when I added the third pickup (which always defines the sound a little better). There are a lot of parameters that effect the sound of a gtr, but could this just be a lucky combination of great sounding pickups, combined with a great sounding body?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:21 pm

Any sound clips of it, Tony? And are those the gold guards I sold you?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:34 pm

Magnificent, Tony!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:37 pm

Gorgeous, Tony.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:50 pm

Looks are great, and yours has looks, for sure, but it's all about the sound. I have both a 330 and a 360, and you are right in that each has a different sound, but both are great, Ric's are so musical, I really believe they have inspired me and made me a better musician. Tony, you rule man !

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:15 pm

I agree. All of my RIcs sound/play different. Maybe thats why I like 'em so much. Make that one of the many reasons.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:18 pm

Fireglo and gold.....what a fantastic combination!

Just the looks alone are killer, Tony....

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:38 am

Wow...thanks everyone, I'm glad you like it.

No sound clips yet, but it will feature heavily on the next Carnivores album. These guards came from Tony at Pickguardian John, I am hoping that yours are destined for a 1997FG that is having a third pick up fitted...should fit!