Guitar Choices 620/330/650C

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:41 am

The 2 models I've got my eye on are the 330 and 620. Leaning more the 620 because of the body style.

I figure the 620 would give me more sustain than the 330 but the trapeze style bridge of both concerns me that the sustain still wouldn't be optimal. How would the 330 or 620 hold up for soloing with OD?

The next more logical option would be the 650C with its humbuckers and mounted tailpiece but I don't care for the astetics and appointments of the 650C. The 620 just looks so much better to me.

Anyone using one of these to play moderate to heavy rock music? Would you say they are versatile or good for a couple of songs for their unique quality?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:32 am

Checkout this one:

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:24 pm

Hey Jaime, I see from your profile that you are in California. If you are in southern CA and want to try out a 620, 380L, ..., let me know, I'm in Orange County.

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 1:08 pm

Thanks for the offer Gary! I'd take you up on it but unfortunately I'm in SF.

The 380L sure has an interesting combination of wood and electronics. Has does the walnut color the sound on that guitar, or what could you compare it to?

Jwilli- that's a nice looker. Custom color?

There's still something about the 620's binding, pickguard and rosewood fingerboard with the flag inlays that turns me on more than some of the other models.

Just saw a nice clean 90's jetglo 620 go this past week on Ebay for $850. Anyone here snag that one?

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:27 pm

Jaimie, the 380L is a very different RIC beast.

First, the neck and fretboard, like the rest of the guitar, are "unfinished" (no gloss coat), so that makes for a very different feel immediately.

Second, the neck is "thicker" (the fretboard-to-back-of-neck distance) and feels to me a bit like a Strat; a similar RIC would be a 430.

Third, the bridge/tailpiece is different from the "standard" bridge/tailpiece, and, to me, the action seems a bit higher than "normal".

As far as sound, I haven't had enough time to play with all of the permutations of the RIC humbuckers and the piezo pickup (mine has the PZ option). It does sound nice, but my recollection is that it doesn't quite have all of the jingle-jangle like my other guitars (I can tell this even when is not plugged in).

Check out this older thread and read what I have in store for a 620/6 and 620/12 I bought a while ago (Caution! NOT for the faint of heart!:

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jamie · Post by **jamie** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:52 am

Gary- Don't you need to have a license to do something like that? LOL!

I know I would need to be sedated before I could take a saw to a guitar. I'd be a nervous wreck.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:34 pm

Just wait until there are pictures of the deed ...

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 3:38 pm

Gary,
A lutheir in Rochester, NY at the House Of Guitars did the same thing you are planning on doing. I walked in one day to have some work done on my guitar and he was working on a RIC double neck. I did a double take as it is rare for a double-neck Ric to make it to Rochester, but then was more suprised when the top neck had binding and such and the bottom one DIDN'T.

He explained what I realised: a homemade double-neck. He had pictures of ANOTHER HOME-MADE one above that he was referring to, and when I asked him what the other one was he told me it was something he made and was using it for comparrison.

I am sure that if you had any questions he could help you out. He is very kind, has experience, and is also very knowledgable. Either way good luck and take pictures!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:45 pm

Thanks for the info, Benjamin, it may prove useful when I get into the nitty-gritty of splicing and the like.

i_am_the_walrus · Post by **i_am_the_walrus** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:15 pm

"How would the 330 or 620 hold up for soloing with OD"

My 330 with hi gains has a good overdriven rock sound and I've never had a problem getting enough sustain for the types of music I play.

One thing you should take into consideration is that Rick necks are fairly narrow which might be a problem if your style involves a lot string bending. If you're into playing really outrageous guitar solos, the 650 which has a wider fretboard width might be a better choice. But for most normal guitar playing I think the 330 and 620 would be just fine. Just play a few first to make sure its right for you.

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 7:30 am

IATW- Yea, I see what you're talking about with the narrow fretboard. I finally played a 330 yesterday and though I really liked the sound the string spacing was t0o close for my comfort.

I then played a 650 which was more what I expected. Both necks (330 & 650) were slightly on the chunky side but not but I expected a thin profile on the 330 at least.

I didn't get a chance to plug the 650 into an amp since the music store I was at had people lined up to use it! Grrr.....

Does the 620 have the same narrow string spacing as the 330?

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:02 pm

Where was the 650??

I've only ever seen one in a store and that was 2,000 miles from where I live

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:16 pm

Haight-Ashbury Music in San Francisco has 2 in stock. One 650D and one 650A.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 4:02 pm

That was exactly the store where I found the 650!

That would be funny but it's still as far away as you can get and still be in the lower 48

Cool store though.

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:09 am

Those are quite the odds! Could it also be the same 650 in stock?

It would have been nice to plug it in and listen but neither 650 really seduced me with its looks. In my eyes I think the 620 has it beat.