Solid Body Vs Hollow Body Rickenbacker Guitars

[admin]

I would like to hear you opinion on the difference in tone that you notice between the solid body Rickenbackers compared to the semi-acoustic models. Of course, there are so many factors to consider in making a comparision including the pickups and their configuration, the construction of the guitar and the amplifier, to name but a few.

With these brief comments in mind, what fundamental differences in tonality have you observed between the Rickenbacker solid body versus the semi-acoustic models?

[mfb]

I think there's something odd with the title Peter. Shouldn't it read "solid body vs HOLLOW body Rickenbacker guitars"?

Feel free to remove this post.

[admin]

Thanks Manuel. I should have said sleepy hollow body! Thanks for the correction.

[mfb]

In my opinion, the biggest tonal difference is the reduction of the mid range frequencies in the solid bodies as compared to the hollows - regardless of amp.

But I guess that would be the case with any comparison between the two types of electrics.

[squid]

I agree with Manuel's comment above. For me, there's a lot more "spank" in the solid bodies. You can hear the attack much more clearly. By way of comparison, I've got a 380L and a 650C. Same pick-ups in both guitars. The 380L is pretty mellow. You can get it to scream but the note fundamental always sounds a little fuzzy. Maybe it's better to say that it sounds richer, with more overtones. In the 380L, the humbuckers sound "dark". There isn't a ton of sparkle. (This is with the piezo out of the equation.) By contrast, the humbuckers in the 650C sound very bright, much brighter than I ever expected. I actually have to dial out a little of the treble on my amp. You can get really percussive with it and lead lines really cut through even when seriously distorted.

[steambyrd]

I've noticed more high end sparkle in my 660 vs my 360 or 370, plus a lot more sustain. I haven't found a need to compress the 660, like I have the others.

[grazioso]

this is bit off topic but i observed that i am constantly watching myself in the mirror with hollowbody .
d

[rickenmetal]

I am probably a little off topic also, because I have never played a Rick solid body and cannot comment on the sound differences, but I find the body on my 330 so comfortable and well balanced that I don't know if I would really like a solid body. I would like to try a 650 someday though, preferably standing up.

[eggman]

Howdy,

I've had two Ricky 12's: a 620 and a 330. The 330 had less treble and sustain than the 620. That is, the 620/12 sounded closer to what Roger McGuinn achieved with the Byrds. McGuinn, of course used a treble booster and compression with his 360/12 on those classic Byrds recordings.
Now the tone of the electronically unaided 620/12 didn't "nail" McGuinn's tone, but it sure came closer than what I achieved through my unaided 330/12. I was surprised by this observation. I'll just bet that a 620/12 with chrome bar P/Us would come very close to McGuinn's tone, even without a treble booster.

Eggman