New vs. Old

[beatles beatnik]

I was wondering if there is an actual difference between buying a brand new rick and buying a vintage one? I read jingle jangle's post on the study with vintage violins, but my question does not just lie on sonic difference, but also the difference in pup's, body styles, and build quality in general.

[sys700]

Big difference. I spent 25 years buying new Rics and modifying them to try to get the same sound, mojo, and playability. After literally going through nearly a dozen, I bought two 60's Rics and finally found what I was searching for for years. I will never buy another post 60's Rickenbacker guitar.

[collin]

Big difference. I spent 25 years buying new Rics and modifying them to try to get the same sound, mojo, and playability. After literally going through nearly a dozen, I bought two 60's Rics and finally found what I was searching for for years. I will never buy another post 60's Rickenbacker guitar.

+1


Really, we could go on for ages trying to explain the differences that you would realize in about 0.0010 of a second if you picked one up in person.

Play a new one....Play an old one.....decide for yourself.

[JakeK]

Big difference. I spent 25 years buying new Rics and modifying them to try to get the same sound, mojo, and playability. After literally going through nearly a dozen, I bought two 60's Rics and finally found what I was searching for for years. I will never buy another post 60's Rickenbacker guitar.

+2

Really, we could go on for ages trying to explain the differences that you would realize in about 0.0010 of a second if you picked one up in person.

Play a new one....Play an old one.....decide for yourself.

+1

[beatles beatnik]

So, the 60's ricks are the best out there? What about the more modern 360c64's and 325v59's, as if they are built to their time's standards, shouldn't they have the same sort of mojo? Also, should I avoid the 70's ricks like I would the epiphone's of the same time period?

PS,
Also, does Pick of the Rick's have vintage one's available to play? I check their website often, yet they never seem to have a large selection of Rick's to view...

[JakeK]

The biggest question is: WHERE DO YOU LIVE? If you're not comfortable saying the exact city, then tell us the city where you're closest to. Based on that info, we can provide you with a number of different shops that sell vintage and new Rics.

The vintage 325C64 is probably built LIKE Lennon's DB122, but isn't DB122. The 325V59 is nowhere near as close to V81 as a 325C58 is, and even then THAT isn't V81. They're good, however, if you're willing to settle on reissues, like me. I simply can't afford vintage, especially at the deals my two Rics were sold to me at.

By the way, I don't think POTR has any vintage Rics at this time. I could be wrong and Chris hasn't listed them on his site yet...

[chucksimms]

I'm another guy who went through a lot of Ricks before realizing vintage Ricks were the ones for me. A '60s 330 can usually be found for little less than twice the amount of a brand new one. Smaller headstock, 21 frets, toasters, slim neck and mojo to die for. If you go for a 360 there's crushed pearl inlays as well. A '60s era 360 is a great deal and primo examples are to be found again at around twice what a new one costs.
Other than the real niche Rick like a lightshow model, the really expensive '60s Ricks tend to be the Rose Morris editions, 325's and O.S. 360 models. The latter go for $5000+, and the last two posted from dealers (both '66 365 OS in fireglo) went for $10,000.
If it's a 325 you're after you might have to settle for a reissue as they do not show up often.

[beatles beatnik]

I live in Passaic Country, New Jersey...I played some ricks at the only place I really can: Robbie's Music in Wayne. I can make trips into NYC if necessary. I am looking for a 12-string, but will settle for a 6. It doesn't really matter what particular rick, I just that jingle jangle sound. I would really prefer a 325, but the 360/12's are very sexy (though I do prefer the pointed horns, not the rounded off one's like the one George Harrison was given in Minneapolis in 66), as are the checker bound guitars...but anything, even the ryder and electro guitars would be nice to own. I also think that jingle_jangle offers a service to make current guitars like the 60's ones (reducing the paddle head headstock, laying a nice amber-glo finish, ect), but that would be just too expensive for me at this time...thought a 325c59 redone or even a current lightshow 330 that he has done in the past would be very nice dream guitars

[jdawe]

I haven't had an opportunity to play a '60s Rick and can't afford one in any case. So I can't comment on what the people upthread have said about how great they are. However, I think it is important that you don't come away with the impression that modern Ricks are bad guitars. They're not -- quite the opposite. Many of us here have have them and think they are great in terms of build quality, playability and tone.

As various others have said, it would be ideal if you could try both and compare, but that may not be feasible. Since your only chance to play a Rickenbacker so far has been in a store, you might be best off starting out with a new or used modern model, which will be cheaper and easier to find. You may find it suits you just fine, and if after a few months you still have the urge for a vintage model you ought to have no difficulty reselling it -- Ricks hold their value very well.

[chucksimms]

Well, if you want a 360/12 like George's first one you're looking for a V or C series unless you have DEEP pockets. I have owned several 12's and played dozens more and last year acquired a '66 330/12 for just over $3000. It is startling how superior it is in sound and playability; don't know if I got a special one but it consolidated my love affair for vintage Ricks.

I suggest you play a lot of Ricks old and new and see what feels right for you. The new instruments are well built and beautiful creations. Asking 'old vs. new' on the vintage forum will result in some biased answers! I should add I have a 4001C64 bass that's four years old and it is an excellent instrument. My son's friend has three newer Ricks (a 325C64, a 330 and 350) and they're all great players, especially the 330.

[jingle_jangle]

I'm with Chuck on this...

The build quality on present-day Ricks is second to none, and keeps getting better. When you have a product that's a perennial success, the effort expended to improve the product can only serve to enhance your reputation. The work demanding high accuracy and interchangeability is now computer-driven, the hand finishing work is better than ever, and the new paint is bulletproof.

'60s Ricks...I did 3 neck resets on mid-'60s 360/12s in just the last 30 days. Are they nasty guitars? NO!!! Those necks are to die for, but four plue decades of strings with tensions beyond what the necks were designed for, will take their toll.

'60s Ricks were built with old school technology: overhead routers, shapers, Forstner bits in drill presses (LOTS of them), and a whole lot of hand work that varied from superbly craftsmanlike, to atrocious. Still these guitars are legendary, have held up reasonably well, and have a feel and mojo that's hard to beat. The tone of the toasters is to die for, and the status of a '60s Rick is undeniable. Comparing these with a modern Rick is comparing apples to oranges.

Try a bunch and pick the one that speaks to you. Pick of the Ricks is in Freehold, N.J. Chris Clayton has got a lot of them!

[Halbert]

Hey Stephen. Rudy's on 48th street here in Manhattan is another one that usually has a selection of both vintage and new Rics. Then you can go across the street and see what they have at Sam Ash.
I had started typing a long defense of newer modern Rics but I don't think that should be needed. John and Ben run a great operation.

[jps]

.....does Pick of the Rick's have vintage one's available to play?...

Every MARF he does.

[mhm1987]

Hey,
I'm looking at an old beat-to-hell 480 on ebay. Would anyone mind telling me if this is worth the fix-up? It, at the very least, needs a new jack and a paint job. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rickenbacke ... 1184663106
I'm also looking at a newer one from a small guitar shop, but it's a natural finnish, and I'm really looking for Jetglo. So, either way I'm looking at paint costs. Do you guys think it's worth it to put the work into the vintage one, or am I better off going with the newer guitar?

[Halbert]

Hey,
I'm looking at an old beat-to-hell 480 on ebay. Would anyone mind telling me if this is worth the fix-up? It, at the very least, needs a new jack and a paint job. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rickenbacke ... 1184663106

Yeah...