660 vs 330 w/ toaster pickups

[timelineguitars]

Hi, I am fairly new here.

I collect guitars but not too many Ric. I was looking for Ric with toaster pickups and had a chance to buy either a 330 or 660 locally. Both has toster pickups. Since I already have a '88 330, I decided to go with the 660. The neck of the 660 is a little chunky but does not bother me since I am used to my Gibson LP with '50s neck and Fender Nocaster (RI, of course) The 660 is in Midnight blue which matches my 4003 bass. I hope I made the right choice as the 330 is much cheaper. (660 is in mint like new condition)

I think I made the right choice. This way, I have both 330 hollow and 620 solid body shape, regular and wider neck, hi gain and toaster pickup... And the checker binding is just too beautiful to look at...

I remmeber I had a similar situation last year when I had to choose between a 330 vs a 620 for my very first Ric. I posted a question on the other Rickenbacker Forum. Many told me I should have selected 620 instead of 330. But I still think I made the right choice to go with 330 at that time.

Anyone care to give me some advice? Thanks.

Here are the photos:

[jps]

You made the right choice. You already have a 330 that, if you wanted to, can put toasters in. Variety is the way to go. Unless, for example, you are collecting all the COYs on a particular model, as Paul Boyer is/has doing/done (or: is doing/has done ) with the 4003.

[JakeK]

Having been with only one Ric, a 660/12, for over a year now, I've had no issues with the sound and overall quality with it. I have been wanting a RM 1997 or 1998 Pete Townshend limited edition to change over to the semi-hollow sound, and not to mention, a bigger body for when I like to windmill.

[timelineguitars]

Thanks guys. Mine is a 660/6. I had a chance to get a mint like new 660/12 a few months ago but did not go for it. Is there any difference between regular 660/12 and 660/12TP model?

[jps]

The signature.

[deaconblues]

Thanks guys. Mine is a 660/6. I had a chance to get a mint like new 660/12 a few months ago but did not go for it. Is there any difference between regular 660/12 and 660/12TP model?

Some will tell you the neck shape changed...I think that's about it. Also, the TP's were made with mostly really nice birdseye and that legendary early-90's Fireglo shading or Jetglo. No Midnight Blue, Mapleglo or COY.

Good choice on the 660, by the way...you got the 'vintage' look and the small, solid-body thing all at the same time! The neck on those is actually W I D E R than a Les Paul.

[timelineguitars]

You are right. 660/6 neck is as wide and as chunky as my '51 Nocaster. I play from Banjo to Classical guitar, with acoustics & electric guitars in between (but not good at any of them) So my hands can adopt to any type of guitar necks (even Mosrites)

[JakeK]

Thanks guys. Mine is a 660/6. I had a chance to get a mint like new 660/12 a few months ago but did not go for it. Is there any difference between regular 660/12 and 660/12TP model?

Only the signature pickguard and the wood figuring. The TP model had birdseye maple, and the standard 660/12 has flamed maple. When the standard 660/12 was introduced in 1998 (and probably during the end of the TP run in '97), the neck profile got rather fat (like a Gibson 50's neck), and didn't slim down until about 2003/04. Dusan Palka has a '92 TP and a '02 660/12, and says they are not the same thing, neck profile especially. Perhaps he can explain a little better than I can.

[grazioso]

oh well here i go again

early 660/12tp up to about late 1995 has slim c shaped neck, from about late 1995 it gets chunkier d profile up to about 2003-4. the difference is not in the measured thickness as one would expect, it is in the shape. after 2004 it is somewhere in between. 660/12 tp after 1995 has different angle of headstock as well as all 660/12. the fret job on petty seems better than regular 660/12. 660/12 tp has hot toasters. that about sums it up.

[timelineguitars]

Thanks a lot. These info are very helpful. I think my next Ric will be 660/12 (or 660/12TP if I see one)

[goofyfoot]

.....I collect guitars but not too many Ric. I was looking for Ric with toaster pickups and had a chance to buy either a 330 or 660 locally. Both has toster pickups. Since I already have a '88 330, I decided to go with the 660.....

So, dude......how does the guitar SOUND to your ears and PLAY to your fingers? Regards.....Goofyfoot

[timelineguitars]

I love the toaster pickups on 660 much better because I like the vintage sound. The chunky neck on 660 does not bother me as I am used to my Fender Nocaster RI's "baseball bat" neck. I just sold my 330.

[btomlinson]

The 660 neck is the greatest neck on the planet earth. I have decided to look past the small body because of the perfect neck. I have a 660 and a 360. The 660 is by far the best neck ever for me. If I could get a Les Paul jr body thickness on a 660, I would love it.

[sharkboy]

About the neck, I'm generally in agreement with Brett, but I think I like my 650c neck even better by the smallest of margins. I don't mind the small body of the 6xx series guitars, except they probably make me look a little like Godzilla rocking out over Tokyo.

I think I like the comfort of the 360 body best of all guitars, but the 380L (with the wide neck on a 360 style body) hasn't grown on me that much- probably since I have a preference for CV finishes, more than anything.

[guitar-murph]

I could not comment about differences in tone between a 330 or a 660 since they both have 'toasters,' and even though I currently own examples of both. The 660 is an excellent guitar for the money though......you get the VP option......something which Rickenbacker no longer offers except on their 'c' series and vintage series guitars; you get the wider neck, and you also get 'charactered' maple, and checked binding.....features which are not available on many RIC's these days.....and you get all this for about the same price as a regular 360. Even though they are small, I suspect this would be a great benefit to your back if you are a gigging musician....something I am not.