620, 360s & 480s...

[jcreasy]

Who here has played or plays with a 620 HiGain? I've been a 360 guy for most of the time, started with HiGains and then switched to toasters. Recently gigged with my 480 (HiGain) and loved it. Have a lead on a 620 HiGain and thinking about it.

I am interested because I suspect it will have the "... edge" of th3 480 (both being solid bodies) but the flex of the blend knob on the "... deluxe" series guitars, which I actually use in mono mode, quite a bit.

Any feedback appreciated.

Last question... Anyone have reservations about refinishing a 480? I did a value check a month or so ago and they are steady at about 900 to 1000... So, why not paint it the color I want?

Thanks in advance.

JKC

PS PW, PM me on that Strings and Things when you get time and hope you guys are otherwise doing well.

[jcreasy]

Also, 620s are "... neck-thru" construction... Correct? So I am guessing more sustain than my 480?

Thanks,

JKC

[JakeK]

Also, 620s are "... neck-thru" construction... Correct? So I am guessing more sustain than my 480?

Thanks,

JKC

Yes, Jim, it has lots of sustain. If you want to get one, I see nothing stopping you.

[jcreasy]

Jake,

Thanks for the reply.

How do they compare to 360s or even 330s (if you've had experience)? Thinner and less "... breathy" sounding?

Also, I now see they are 21 frets. Without opening the can of worms on the 21 vs. 24 fret debate, I am used to the 24 fret modern 360s. Any "... noticeable" issues with pick-up spacing? By "... noticeable" I mean noticeable to the attentive but unprofessional ear. My 24s have always sounded (and worked) fine for me. Although I respect the opinions and posts of others who prefer the 21 fret necks and pick-up spacing, that has just never made enough of impression on me for my casual playing to consider.

As always, thanks in advance for replies.

JKC

[kiramdear]

Jim,

I don't think there's a big apparent difference in sustain between through-neck and bolt-on solidbodiy ricks if they both sport hi-gains. Now, hi-gain specs have changed through the decades so you might hear a difference between old and new ones regardless of body style.

I have a 430 (bolt-on) and a 620, both with older hi-gains and they both have the characteristic bite and sustain that you get from solid ricks. 360s and other semi-hollow ricks sound more mellow and plunky in comparison, to my ear.

So go ahead and get that 620 - you'll love it!

[jcreasy]

Kira Moon,

I am going to pursue the 620 and see what shakes. Thanks for your feedback.

To my ear, the 480 can sound thinner than the 360s but when it is fatten'd up, it has a Strat tone to it, when the 360s start to sound "... breathy." I think you call that thumpy.

As for the different ages of HiGains, my experience has been so spotty that I don't have a reference point. Got a 70's HiGain 360 before I knew what I had. Sold it for a Strings and Things Custom. (PW has it now on rework). Then, got a '90 360 HiGain and traded out for Scatterwound Toasters. Owned a 350 with (Non Scatterwound) Toasters (hated them) and then the 480 with stock HiGains (love them).

Let's see what happens. Anyone else with any feedback?

JKC

[JakeK]

How do they compare to 360s or even 330s (if you've had experience)? Thinner and less "... breathy" sounding?

Not sure if this will help at all, but I used to own a 660/12TP, and currently own a 1997 RoMo reissue and 360/12V64, all of which have/had 12k toasters.

The 660 had a lot of sustain and attack, while the V64 has a more "open" sound. The 300 series also have a much larger bodies than the 600 series. The 600 series have bodies close to a 325/350, so if you have a large frame, you MAY feel uncomfortable and odd playing it. I prefer the hollows to the solid Rics any day.

Our own John Biscuti (JB, as we call him) made two demos of himself playing a '66 360/12 and a '04 660/12 both with 7.5K toasters through a modern day Vox AC-30 with no effects to show a difference:



If that doesn't help, a similar style video was made by our new member modfather1965 playing The Byrds' hit "Mr. Tambourine Man", on both a 360/12C63 and a 660/12 also with 7.5K toasters through the same amp with (what he says were) no effects:



Notice how much more aggressive the 660 is compared to the 360...

[bitzerguy]

The 620 is a very, very versatile guitar. I agree that toaster equipped hollow models are just a bit smoother, mellower sounding. We just presented "Time" to our local open mike spot and I used the 620. The lead was perfect in tone to my ears and I had every Strat, Tele and Paul guy in the place gushing about the tone and sustain after our set.

It has the fastest feeling action of all my Rics (360, 350 & 660/12) by far, and is the lightest feeling. It is a 2003 and the bite from the Hi gains is great. It can very quickly become a "go to" guitar. Tone wise it has great flexibility, and responds very dynamically to the blend knob in mono mode. I set my tone and volume for both pickups then never touch them. I do all the adjustments with the blend knob. It does not feedback as quickly as the hollow bodies in mega gain applications. A big plus for the tight endings that take the breath away.

You can have my 620 when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands...

[jcreasy]

Thanks Kids, that helps.

The ModFather vid demonstrates the difference in attack and sound. I am trying to hear the difference in my 480 v. 620 in my mind's ear.

Will report with developments.

JKC