First Impressions of My First Rickenbacker

[Vertigho]

Thanks very much for the info on the luthiers, John. I actually got info on another shop in Arlington from Chris at Pick of the Ricks. He knows and recommends Matt Baker at Action Music in Arlington.

As for vintage-ry, Graham, I'm planning on putting on the gold TRC and pick-guard (as was done by Kevin here) - in fact the TRC is already on its way to Tony at Pickguardian for the refinish. I'm still going back-and-forth on the smaller vintage knobs vs. the oven knobs, but I'm leaning toward the smaller ones.

[johneek]

Andrew,
Thanks. I'm up in DC often enough that to check out Action Music. If Chris recommends them I'd certainly give them a look.

[wj350]

....He did a great job on a Candy Tangerine Strat that now resides, in what I believe is a semi-continual drunken stupor, in Australia.

JK, you say that as if it were a bad thing....

Bill

[johneek]

....He did a great job on a Candy Tangerine Strat that now resides, in what I believe is a semi-continual drunken stupor, in Australia.

JK, you say that as if it were a bad thing....

Bill

Nothing wrong with the semi-continual drunken stupor (how many ways can you spell, "been there, done that..."?) ....the fact that it's in Australia, less than ideal ...but if it has to be there, I couldn't be happier with who's enjoying it

[beefandbones]

Welcome Andrew! Beautiful, beautiful AFG on your 330.

It looks like you have the new adjustable hi-gain pickups on your 330, so, if you're so inclined, you could raise the high e bobbin with a quick turn of the allen wrench. It's always handy to have a relationship with a good luthier, but - again, if you're so inclined - there are a number of simple adjustments you could make yourself, and a lot of helpful supportive people here on the RR forum! If that's not your thing, that's cool too. I know it took me a long time before I felt comfortable enough to 'experiment on' my 330!

Anyway, congratulations!

[firstbassman]

Thanks very much for the info on the luthiers, John. I actually got info on another shop in Arlington from Chris at Pick of the Ricks. He knows and recommends Matt Baker at Action Music in Arlington.

Andrew,

I've used Matt for all my guitar tech stuff. He's a great guy. Don't know how much RIC specific knowledge he has.

There's an authorized Fender and Gibson service place off Braddock Road but they are always way backed up.

There are a couple of other highly recommended places in Northern Virginia.
I can try and dig up their names if you're interested.

[rickenbrother]

I have dealt personally with the first two. My favorite is Marguerite Pastella. She is without question the best luthier I have ever dealt with personally.

This must be the woman that you were telling me about recently. I hope her condition improves and she is well enough to return to working on guitars.

[Slippery fingers]

I too am an affectionado of both Rickenbacker, and G&L, and I have two of each, my Rics are a 620 JG 6 string, and a Ric 375 MG, my G&L's are a Bluesboy ASAT, and a Legacy 2HB, it has a coil tap switch so I can go with either single coils, or humbuckers. It's my most versital guitar, and I agree with you, the quality, fit, and finish on Rics and G&L are impeccable, they both have their own strengths and almost no weakness on either guitar. Both guitars are made by small companies (at least compaired to Fender), and I think thats the big reason in my opinion that Rickenbacker, and G&L are the two best production guitars on the market today. Im often asked which guitars are "better" Rics, or G&L's, and my answer is both.
Paul

[kiramdear]

Oh dangit, they pulled the listing already. I can't see the finish
But congratulations on your new arrival. She sounds sweet. I bet you'll forget the price after you get her set up and live with her Quality for a while.

[Vertigho]

Yes, that's a pretty old ebay listing by now. However, at that time, I did download the photos from the ebay listing, created an entry in the Rickenbacker Registry and uploaded them there. You can view them here.

I've still not taken the 330 (nor my G&L) in for professional setup, but it's on my to-do list. I'm doing significant barre chord work in my practicing currently, and the fret size/height difference makes a big difference in barre chord playability. While my barre'ing finger is getting progressively stronger (and therefore I'm able to get mostly non-muted, non-buzzing barres), the 330 is really a bear to get fully clean barres at the first fret (while the G&L is a breeze). I'm even able to get cleaner first fret barres on my bargain acoustic than on the 330. I'm hoping the 330 can be cured with some bridge and/or neck adjustments (or maybe some work on the nut). Any thoughts on this issue? Anyone else have similar barre'ing issues with a Rickenbacker?

[jingle_jangle]

Buddy, you need a setup. Should play like buttah...

[Vertigho]

OK, OK, I'll have it done this week.

I was delaying because I'm a novice player and I figured it would be worth waiting to develop more experience so that I know what I like/dislike in terms of set-up preferences before going and asking someone to simply "make this more playable".

[jps]

the 330 is really a bear to get fully clean barres at the first fret (while the G&L is a breeze). I'm even able to get cleaner first fret barres on my bargain acoustic than on the 330.

Sounds like the nut slots need lowering.

[Vertigho]

Update: I had the 330/6 setup at a local shop a couple of weeks ago, and, wow, what a difference. They lowered the nut and first fret barres are significantly easier (and, also, my barre'ing finger is getting progressively stronger/more accomplished as the practice builds up, so that's helping as well). Also, they did some work on the 330, intonation-wise, and the intonation up and down the neck is much improved. Consequently, since the 330 has returned from the shop, I've not taken the G&L out of it's case - I just cannot put down the Ric.

So, I'm now building up RAS for a 12-string model, and I want to solicit some opinions on */12 models, but I'll start a new thread for that one...

[cestlamort]

Update: I had the 330/6 setup at a local shop a couple of weeks ago, and, wow, what a difference. They lowered the nut and first fret barres are significantly easier (and, also, my barre'ing finger is getting progressively stronger/more accomplished as the practice builds up, so that's helping as well). Also, they did some work on the 330, intonation-wise, and the intonation up and down the neck is much improved. Consequently, since the 330 has returned from the shop, I've not taken the G&L out of it's case - I just cannot put down the Ric.

I highly recommend getting any new (to you) guitar set up and ready to go. You can learn to do it yourself, but sometimes it's just worth the $50 or so to have it set up at its best.
Congrats.