360/370 + 1997? Your Experiences...

indytone · Post by **indytone** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:00 am

Hi. I've been pondering buying a Rickenbacker for about a year now (I have incredible will power) and now have some extra money laying around. I really love the look of the 370--something about the extra pickup seems very cool--but I've read some reviews that say that the middle pickup gets in the way a lot.

My playing style is pretty strummy (I play a lot of acoustic) and I've played my friend's 360 a ton and love it. I'm afraid that if I get a 370, I'll have the same problems as the peoples reviews I've read--bumping into the mid pickup. I was wondering if any of you have experienced this, or if those people just simply didn't know how to play.

Also, an additional question, is the 1997 model just a 370 with tremelo?

Sorry if these questions seem illformed.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:22 am

Hi Anthony! The 1997 is the export version of the RIC model 330. It is a slightly different body style than the 360 and has an "F" hole instead of the cats eye slash sound hole. I've played a 370 and I personally don't like the 3rd pickup....it looks cool though.... just my 2 cents worth....

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:25 am

also....the 330 has the "pointy" looking sides instead of the more rounded 360. It looks like the 12 string GEORGE HARRISON played (pointy). There are other differences which I'm sure you'll here of soon from other members here. The 370 wouldn't have the vibrato. RIC puts the number 5 in for the vibrato versions, so the 375 would be the vibrato model.

indytone · Post by **indytone** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:33 am

Ah, thanks for the body style info. I was curious about that since most of the photos I saw of the 1997 were very poorly taken (usually of a Jetglo model in a black case) and I couldn't tell if it was more of a 330 or 60 style.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 7:17 am

I have a 1997SPC/VB (3 pickups, ac'cent vibrato) and a 360V64 (sweeping crescent body, 2 PUs).
I strum, play lead, tremolo pick, even windmill (!) on both. The middle pickup is not an issue. Fact is I play my 1997 more than any other guitar. You can't go wrong with either. The 3rd pickup adds a bit of depth and a broader midrange sweep than otherwise. The 360V64 has a bit more air in its tone perhaps. Both jangle and howl respectably. They dirty up in different ways, but I think you'll be pleased with any Ric choice you make. Two of mine:
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/33/33903/pages/385418/twinrics.jpg
I prefer the look of a 1997 over the 370, but both are great instruments.
Best of luck. Cheers, Noel

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 8:35 am

I've got a 370WB - a 370 with a 1997 body shape. The WB option is no longer available on new instruments, so you would have to find a used one. As for the 3rd pickup, if you find it gets in the way, you could lower it. In my case, it forced me to learn to pick with better control - not a bad thing. Strumming was unaffected.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 4:42 pm

Here's my a picture of my 1997. Like Noel, it gets played more than of my other RICs.

BTW, do not adjust your browser; it is a lefty.

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:19 pm

I have a 1997 and a 381/12v69. I owned a couple of 330's before and I prefer the 1997. Even though the 12 string is my personal favorite, the 1997 always surprises me when I haven't played it for a while. It really does have a rich sound and great playability, but then I guess you could say that for all Ricks, huh? I hope you got the one you wanted.