More jangle; 330 or 620?

[mark w]

Hi. New to the forum. I've been jonesing for a Ric as of late. Been watching too many Petty/Heartbreakers dvd's as of late. Got to play a used 360 over the weekend but the neck pickup was DOA so I wasn't able to give it a good test burn and it was a bit more than my budget would allow. Neck width was comfortable though, and I would like to add another guitar tone to compliment some of the material my band is doing. Currently I rotate between my '68 Tele and an 05 Les Paul Std through a Fender Blues Deluxe. 330's and 620's seem to fall more into my budget range. Any suggestions? Thanks...Mark

[robinje]

I'm pretty new here, but I LOVE my 620 I picked up a couple of weeks ago. After setting it up to my preferences, it plays like butter. Even with the stock high gain pickups, there is plenty of "jangle" and "chime". My only other guitar is a Telecaster and, while it is also great, I like the sounds from my 620 even more. The 620 doesn't have the sustain or punch that the Telecaster has, but the 620 has its own thing going on and I really, really dig it. The blend knob is very cool and the guitar is generally much more verstaile than I thought it would be. Clean or dirty, the 620 is awesome. I am now even thinking of adding a 330 or 360 to the stable.

[beatlefreak]

Welcome to the forum, both of you. You can't go wrong with either model - It all comes down to whether you want a larger semi-hollow body (330) or a smaller solid body (620).

[1965]

To answer your Q: More jangle = 330

[weemac]

There is definately more "air" in the sound of hollowbody Rickenbackers and a bit more chime. The solids sound more compressed and perhaps some more lower mids in the sounds.
Go the 330!
Eden.

[Clint]

They actually sound surprisingly similar. Even though the 330 is semihollow, it is still a pretty solid chunk of wood. It has a rounder tone and a touch more chime. While the 620 has that dry bite, sort of like a Tele. Just get whichever one you can find at a good price.

[JakeK]

Go for the 330...I would, because I'm a hollowbody man these days

[vker]

A youtube user demo-ed a 360 / 620, and 650 Dakota- all clean / same chords through a Vox-AC30. Of course, the limitations of computer speakers-
but you can still get an idea of each guitars inherent voice-- neat idea, I found it interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cs1NGcS ... re=related

There are also many more mini demo's in the same category, i.e. Rics

[goofyfoot]

I would opt for the 330 because it has that woody, earthy, organic tone. Rickenbacker and Gretsch got it right when it came to producing that tone and resonance in semi-acoustics and hollow-bodies. Also, check out how the two compare when strapped to your bod. If you play standing as well as sitting, see how the guitar balances itself. I find the 330s a bit more balanced, almost as good as the 360s. Just my dos centavos' worth. Regards.....Goofyfoot.

[miltric]

Re: that Youtube clip, keep in mind that the 360 he's playing has vintage (toaster) pick-ups, and the other two have hi-gains. That makes a big difference. My 360 with the standard hi-gains does not sound quite as chimey as his. But for me, the hi-gains provide the option for some nice, gritty overdrive when I want it AND jangliness when I want it.

[Clint]

Wow. To me they sound nearly the same. The 360 w/Toasters has a touch more treble, but nothing you couldn't compensate for with the amp's tone controls. Of course, that Vox has a really strong personality, I'd like to hear that test again with a Fender.

[mark w]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'm leaning toward a 330FG. Had a line on a nice late 90's 330 but the guy backed out and decided not to sell. Oh well, keep lookin'