I love three pickups, but what do I really want?

blur · Post by **blur** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:28 pm

I'm currently running around like a mad ferret trying to decide what my first Rickenbacker will be. Perhaps you can toss in some ideas?

First and foremost, I love the look (and abilities) of three pickups. This has led me to think of 340s, 350s, 350v63s and 370s. All 6 stringers too, incidentally.

Are there any pros and cons I should know about these? Is a vintage really worth it? I love the 350v63, but will I get basically as much bang for buck from a 340 - at a lower price?

Anything you can think of relating to choosing between these models would be appreciated. Feel free to ask me any questions, too.

For example, off the top of my head, I'd be happy to have a mono model and don't require RickOSound.

spencer · Post by **spencer** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 3:27 am

Hi Rob -
I've got a 3 pickup guitar, a 325V64.
I didn't plan on doing any Lennon mods to it, even though I knew that his middle pickup was disconnected. After I played it for awhile, I realized why he did it. I was excited about having 3 pickups for the first time but started to notice that my pick was bumping it and producing a popping sound. Also, the position of the pickup, other than being in the way of strumming, gave a rather nasally / middy tone that I didn't care for, so I disconnected it and didn't notice alot of loss of tonal control.

My advice, if it's to be your first Ric, go for a 330 or 360 - you can't go wrong.
The middle pup doesn't really do much.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:25 am

I have a 340LHFG and I love the "all three on" tone. A little tweaking of the 5th knob goes a long way with this setting. The middle pickup never gets in my way.

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:01 pm

I agree with Ronn's comment on the 5th knob, although I have never player any other RIC's then my own.

But I never experience Spencer's problem... I have a 370 and not a 325V64... I wish I could try one of those for the fun of it

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:27 pm

Rob: I would go with the philosophy that less is more. I think you would be very happy with the sound of the Model 330 or the Model 360. To add a bit of uniqueness though I would seek get the Model 1997. It has the vintage look and the f-hole which is not so common.

blur · Post by **blur** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 1:25 pm

This is all great advice! Thanks guys!

Spencer, do you think that you're hitting the pickup because of the guitar's scale, more than anything else?