Newbie 330 owner

old_crow · Post by **old_crow** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:33 pm

Not sure if this is the correct column to announce my arrival but here goes.
I actually bought the 330 for my wife. She's been playing for many yrs. and has owned various guitars, i.e. Mustang, Gibson 335, Guild T-100. Now she wonders why she didn't buy a Ric in the first place.
I've been playing it a bit too and have tried it through all my amps now. I personally prefer the sound through my 66 Ampeg Reverberocket ll. The super hot pups in this beauty seem to start breaking up the Ampeg a bit earlier than my other guitars and with it set about vol. 6 it's just got to be on of the best rythym sounds. ( I.M.H.O. )
Most of my guitar player friends, when I tell them I bought it say: Oh nice! but I find Ric necks too small. Well I don't find it too small, I really like ai. All except for the thick finish on the fingerboard. Am I the only one who dislikes it? Have any of you ever dared to remove it and simply have an oiled fingerboard??
Overall I'm very impressed with the craftsmanship. Seems the top and sides are carved from solid maple and a back laminated to it.
Nicely balanced too.
She's owned it for about 6 mos. now and we couldn't be happier.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 7:55 pm

Hi and welcome aboard. I'm a bassist but my one and only guitar is a 330 (amp is a Blues Jr.). I know some people think the neck is too small but it's just right for me.

The finish may look thick but it's actually quite thin. I like the finished fretboard and it probably contributes to the tone.. If you remove it, don't be surprised if you notice a change.

corey · Post by **corey** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 5:28 am

The fretboard finish is one of the main reasons why I really don't play anything besides a Rickenbacker. I was playing a friend's James Burton Tele and I couldn't believe how horrible that fretboard felt on my fingers. I'm also cool with the 300 series necks. The 12 string models take some getting used to, but the sound is well worth it.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 6:21 am

Hi Old_crow and welcome.... I understand exactly what you mean when you said your wife now wonders why she didn't by a Ric in the first place! My husband bought me my first Ric a year ago (also a 330), and I was never really serious about playing guitar until he put that one into my hands! Now my eighth (and probably final) Ric is on the way--the 381 of my dreams..... Once you discover Rics you just can't get enough of them! My husband keeps buying them for me because he is in love with them too, even though he doesn't play.... they just have that "something special" that most other guitars don't have: the looks, the sound, the workmanship, everything. This could be the beginning of a lifelong love affair for both of you!

old_crow · Post by **old_crow** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 6:47 am

Thanks all and don't worry, I won't be stripping the fingerboard anytime soon.
You're right about wanting to try other Rics too. I'm a Gretsch guy and was really supprised by the similarities in the sound of the 330 and my Gretsches. I do find though that I prefer old Fender and Gibson amps with my Gretsches but don't like them with the 330 as much as the Reverberocket lll.
I think the next one I'll be trying is a John Lennon mod.

corey · Post by **corey** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 10:35 am

Yes, if you could get your hands on a 325C58, you could check out that unfinished fretboard.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 3:52 pm

Old crow, if you get a chance to try your 330 on a Roland JC120, do it and tell us a story! It's a sound to die for. And for me, the Rics have the best necks for my hand! And, of course,... Welcome to the Club!

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 4:36 pm

If you don't like the finish on the fretboard.....remove it. I haven't tried that yet but I've been tempted.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 5:02 pm

Dannyboy is right.
ANY Ric through a JC-120 is a great sound.

old_crow · Post by **old_crow** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 7:13 am

JC-120 is just too clean for me. Have any of you tried an old Ampeg Reverberocket ll? I was going to sell the amp until I got the 330.
Re:325C58 I can't wait to try one ( if I can find one ) but I don't think I'll like the 20" scale and if I did I'd be afraid I wouldn't like the big Gretsch necks anymore