NRD! And some questions (330 v. 360)

[chuck_king]

New Rickenbacker Day!!! Less than 24 hours ago I acquired this beauty:



It's a 1995 330/6 FG. Last summer I got a 2006 360/6 JG, and it quickly became my go-to guitar for playing with my band. So I rationalized decided it would be a good idea to get another to use as a backup for gigs. I've always loved Fireglo and the shape of the 330, so when this showed up on craigslist at a good price I felt the hand of fate tapping me on the shoulder.

Based on specs, I expected them to feel and sound pretty much the same---I've read people's impressions that the 330 has some different resonance characteristics due to the sharp corners etc. (and based on my limited time playing it that may well be true) but I figured that would be a fairly subtle difference, especially amplified. Feel-wise, they are very similar. But when I plugged them in and played them side by side, they sounded very different. The 360 had a much thicker, chunkier tone than the 330, which was "janglier" (which is nicer than saying "thinner", which sounds like a criticism---it doesn't sound bad, just different).

I've been trying to figure out what could account for the difference. I have picked up by osmosis that there have been changes over time in the hi-gain pickups, but I can't remember and couldn't quickly find whether they changed between 1995 and 2006. (My 360 must be from earlier '06 because it does not have the adjustable pole pieces.) I haven't measured them but it's possible that the pickups are slightly lower on the 330, but if they are it is a pretty minor difference. Could a slight difference in pickup height make that big a difference in tone?

Also, the fifth knob on the 330 seems to work differently than the knob on my 360. On the 360, the knob seems to function as a "blend" control, blending the signal from the neck pickup into the signal from the bridge pickup---with the knob all the way in one direction, the signal is pretty much pure bridge pickup; with the knob all the way in the other direction, it seems to be the full "both pickups" sound. On the 330, it sounds like I'm getting both pickups all the way through the range of adjustment, but the tone changes. It's tough to describe. I have not opened up the 330 to see if the electronics have been modded.

Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated.

In less than six months I've gone from no Ricks to multiple Ricks---I fear I may have the sickness. There should be a warning at the top of these forums!

[steverok]

I'm of the mind that no two guitars sound exactly the same, even within the same model. I have both a 330 and 360, and they sound similar, but different enough to rationalize justify owning both.

[goofyfoot]

Yummy. Groovy score, brah. Props to you. Now go and play the heck outta that guitar! Best regards....Goofyfoot.

[scotty]

Congratulations on the new guitar Charles
I see its in the Reg.

[ric330]

Nice score Charles!
If there's one thing I've learned it's that each guitar has to be judged upon it's individual merits in tone and feel - even 2 of the same models from the same year.
I just bought a 07' 360 as I was waiting for a 07' 330. In my case the 360 sounded fuller in the neck pickup but Janglier in the bridge PU. Set up, slight variation in neck shaping - who knows. The neck agreed with me more on the 360.
There is one thing that I noticed playing a side by side comparison of a 330 and 360 - the place where your arm rests to play on the 360 is rounded and is quite comfortable
when playing for a long time.

But This really wasn't an issue when I owned a 360 WB (bound top and back) , my 81' 330 or 340 PT - I Just noticed when I played them side by side.
My intention was to have the 330 origianlly but in this case the 360 was just a better choice for me. Could have been the other way around with 2 other 330 and 360 Ricks.

I know what you mean about the Rick thing, it is addicting. I'm so pleased with my Rick, my other guitars are just not getting played. And although completely satisfied with my latest 07' 360 (Bury me with that one), I'm still checking Craiglist, Ebay, and the web for another RICK The madness is just beginning. Especially when I see all these awesome Ricks posted here at the Forum.

[eggman]

Howdy,

Chuck, it appears that the P/Us on your new 330 might well be "Toaster tops" are they? Stock P/Us, as you well know are Hi-Gains. If indeed your 360 has Hi-Gains, while that sharp-looking 330 has Toasters, well there you have a big reason for the difference in tone.
If both guitars have identical P/Us, I cannot say what accounts for the difference. I've owned a 330/6 and now have a 360/6. To my ears the 330 sounds slightly more acoustic or transparent than the 360. Put another way, my MG 360 sounds just a bit more like a solid body. I'll bet you're having a blast while gigging with your Rickenbackers!

Eggman

[chuck_king]

No, the 330 has the regular Hi-Gain pickups.

The only other thing I can think of is strings. The 330 feels like it is strung with 9's, brand unknown, and I have D'Addario 10's on the 360. I may just re-string the 330 with 10's and see what that does to the tone.

[eggman]

Howdy,

Chuck: Thanks for the carification about the P/Us. So now that we know that both guitars are stock, the plot thickens..
You are probably right about the string guage being the explanation. The more I strum my MG 360/6, the more I like it; that rounded top is almost Stratocaster-like in it's comfort. Also, have you noticed how firmly a 360 will stay put in your lap while playing seated?

Eggman

[brammy]

slightly off topic, but.... origin of the blender knob explained?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSPhBVHh74E