I have been playing a couple of months now and am looking to upgrade from my son's $100 Peavy. I have heard a lot of good things about the 650D. Is it a good enough guitar to grow with me over the next couple of years, or will I tire of it. I have also been looking at a fender american delux.
My musical interests are classic and southern rock. I like santana, hendrix, clapton , and dicky betts. I know one guitar won't handle all this music well but I am still learning, and just want one guitar for now. Also which pickups would be appropriate. Thanks, TAd
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Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
OK, here's where I become about as popular as... well, something pretty unpopular. But I'm going to suggest that while a Rick might suit "classic" rock, it's not really a southern rock guitar to my ears - and certainly not like the artists you mention.
I'd recommend a good, honest secondhand Fender Strat or maybe even a "fat Strat" with the humbucker and two pickups. This would be a very good guitar to stretch across the styles.
Another guitar which is an absolute cracker, in a slightly different vein, is the Epiphone 'Dot' which is a GREAt copy of the Gibson 335. And just don't take my word for it. A recent issue of Guitarist (the one with John Frusciante on the cover) reinforced what I've always known by giving the Dot a 4.5 / 5 rating and suggesting that they are getting scarily good... almost making players wonder why they should spend the extra for a 'real' 335.
They're the two guitars I'd plump for - and I say this as a happy Rick owner.
I'd recommend a good, honest secondhand Fender Strat or maybe even a "fat Strat" with the humbucker and two pickups. This would be a very good guitar to stretch across the styles.
Another guitar which is an absolute cracker, in a slightly different vein, is the Epiphone 'Dot' which is a GREAt copy of the Gibson 335. And just don't take my word for it. A recent issue of Guitarist (the one with John Frusciante on the cover) reinforced what I've always known by giving the Dot a 4.5 / 5 rating and suggesting that they are getting scarily good... almost making players wonder why they should spend the extra for a 'real' 335.
They're the two guitars I'd plump for - and I say this as a happy Rick owner.
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atomic_punk
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With influences like that, I'd be looking at a Les Paul! The 650D is a beauty, for sure, but to get those Santana tones and Dicky Betts, both humbucker guys and PRS/Gibson players. But a good LP is going to run you twice the cost of a 650D, which is a great guitar for the money! I'd concur with Rob also on the "dot", it's smokin!
"They make great f***'n basses". - Lemmy, NAMM 2009
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tad
Well I own a 330 with Vintage Pickups and I bought it because I'm a Beatles nut. Admittedly the new VPs aren't like the old VPs, but I'm not that much of a tone freak. In truth, I tend to make a lot of my sounds with my amp and pedals rather than the guitar itself, so using the 330 for my favourites 60s stuff right through to indie rock is a no brainer.
Following on from Steve, the Les Paul is a great idea - of course the Dot had the dual humbucker set up too, and looks way cool.
Any readon why you like the 650D in particular?
Following on from Steve, the Les Paul is a great idea - of course the Dot had the dual humbucker set up too, and looks way cool.
Any readon why you like the 650D in particular?
Tad: Welcome to the Rickenbacker Forum.
My advice is that you make arrangements to have the chance to play a 650D. In the end, you need to be happy with the look, playability, sound and price.
"Is it a good enough guitar to grow with me over the next couple of years?" There are many satisfied 650D owners out who are pleased with their choice. I hope they will see your post and voice their opinion.
Where is your nearest Rickenbacker dealer? Perhaps there is someone who frequents here who has a 650D and would be willing to get together so that you could see how this instrument performs first hand. Please also do a search for the 650D topics on this board. You will find many folks who love this instrument for its looks, sound and playability.
As this Forum focuses on the Rickenbacker, I would encourage you to explore the range of possibilities with the 650D. You can pickup a "strat" or "dot" pretty much anytime you want should the 650D not suit you.
Please let us know how we might help you with the quest further.
My advice is that you make arrangements to have the chance to play a 650D. In the end, you need to be happy with the look, playability, sound and price.
"Is it a good enough guitar to grow with me over the next couple of years?" There are many satisfied 650D owners out who are pleased with their choice. I hope they will see your post and voice their opinion.
Where is your nearest Rickenbacker dealer? Perhaps there is someone who frequents here who has a 650D and would be willing to get together so that you could see how this instrument performs first hand. Please also do a search for the 650D topics on this board. You will find many folks who love this instrument for its looks, sound and playability.
As this Forum focuses on the Rickenbacker, I would encourage you to explore the range of possibilities with the 650D. You can pickup a "strat" or "dot" pretty much anytime you want should the 650D not suit you.
Please let us know how we might help you with the quest further.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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Proceed DIRECTLY to the user reviews - There are enough regarding the 650 to help you make an informed decision. There are enough of LP or Strat type guitars to keep you reading for years. The 650 will also cost a bit less than the strat you refer to or any real Gibson LP. I believe the Highway 1 strats (F***er's entry-level American made model) are just a tad cheaper than a 650.
For blues-based classic or southern rock, My own thought would be to give a 650 a very serious chance. They are very different, as I am sure you know, from the more traditional ricks. You can also get one with a modern, stable whammy bar if that's your thing.
I have the 330 model rick. TO answer your "usage" question, I do NOT use it to play a lot of blues-based, bendy, rock. Some people (lots of people) do. I DO use mine for what could be termed "indypop" U2ish, REMish stuff. It's perfect for that. Then again, don;t let stereotypes prejudice your decision!
www.harmonycentral.com
Proceed DIRECTLY to the user reviews - There are enough regarding the 650 to help you make an informed decision. There are enough of LP or Strat type guitars to keep you reading for years. The 650 will also cost a bit less than the strat you refer to or any real Gibson LP. I believe the Highway 1 strats (F***er's entry-level American made model) are just a tad cheaper than a 650.
For blues-based classic or southern rock, My own thought would be to give a 650 a very serious chance. They are very different, as I am sure you know, from the more traditional ricks. You can also get one with a modern, stable whammy bar if that's your thing.
I have the 330 model rick. TO answer your "usage" question, I do NOT use it to play a lot of blues-based, bendy, rock. Some people (lots of people) do. I DO use mine for what could be termed "indypop" U2ish, REMish stuff. It's perfect for that. Then again, don;t let stereotypes prejudice your decision!
"The only worthwhile conquests are those wrested from ignorance"
-Napoleon
-Napoleon
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tad
I like the 650 because it is american(not japan or mexico), has great build quality, and have heard or read of very few complaints of the rick, while on the otherhand, all I hear about the strat is complaints; The set-up condition from the factory is poor, the pickups need to be changed, the finish is poor, it is just another mass produced piece of junk. As for why I like the 650D and 650S is because they are the only two models I am familiar with. I am in palm beach county FL and have not found a dealer with a rick in stock. If there is another rick I should be looking at please let me know