First Ric: short scale or 620? Help!

[grcoco]

First off, congratulations for a fantastic forum. I’ve been reading tons of helpful, informative posts while trying to get up to speed in learning about electric guitars for which I’ve had no technical knowledge or playing experience. I’ve just had my acoustic Gibson SJDeluxe since the early 70’s and have only played sitting down. Now, the muse has beckoned for me to stand and deliver at my now vintage age, (i.e. my rationalization to fulfill a lifelong yearning for a Ric).
I have hit a wall in trying to make a decision for my first (heh, heh..) 6-string Ric:
I had the chance to try out a 620; I was impressed with its tonal versatility. Is it safe to say it is the least characteristic Ric sounding model, or did I not find the appropriate settings?
The short scale of the 325’s seem a more logical choice for my 5’8” frame and 32” shirt sleeve-sized arm andå fingers. I mention this because I tried a baby acoustic once and found its playability very enjoyable (although the tone was thinner, obviously, and expected--ok for practicing, traveling, etc.). I haven’t had (and won’t have) a chance to try a 325 series though, (pretty much narrowed it down to 325C64 Miami C or 1996 Reissue Rose Morris AFG). Would you consider the 325’s to be more restricted tonally than the 620? If yes, can this be compensated with add on boxes? (Amp-wise, I only plan on a Vox. I mean, please). Does the shorter scale make sense for me? I have a gnawing feeling it might be a better fit physically, and thus, easier and more fun.
I don’t play lead at all, but plan to start learning, take some baby steps. I play rhythm, fingerpick, and like to hammer, dampen, pull and bend strings and chords, and am rather liberal with sustains (chime anyone?), if that’s any help. I have to admit, I do look forward to some power chording, finally! Pop, rock, folk, country and all their derivatives, combinations and mutations are my playing universe.
Your input/votes will be greatly appreciated in helping me make the right choice. Can’t wait to be part of the Ric-owning brethren!

[iiipopes]

I think you'll find the 620 more versatile for your purposes. The newer ones don't have the .0047 capacitor to the bridge pickup to give the vintage chimey sound, but that can be remedied with one of the push-pull switches and wiring in the cap. I did that for a friend recently, and he loves it, although I think the 620 model sounds better without it.

I've used my 320 over the years for everything from Thursday night to Sunday morning, including heavy bands, pop bands, jazz bands, etc. The question is how do you get along with a whammy? If you don't want to take the little bit of extra time for maintenance that a whammy takes to keep it in good tune, then again, I'd go with the 620.

They're all great. It's your flavor of preference: do you like vanilla, chocolate, rocky road, or lime sherbet? It's all about flavor.

And now for something completely different: since you want more "traditional" tone, and you're used to a guitar with a little bit larger body, I'd actually recommend a 330 instead.

[JakeK]

The 325/short scale line is not for everyone. I myself flirted with a 325 briefly in 2007, but just couldn't get on with it and sold it to a Canadian Lennon tribute, who still has it the last I heard. When playing lead guitar, it was very easy to make a mistake on it, and I often found myself muting notes above the 10th fret. That said, I never had to use a capo and barre chords were a breeze on it.

Anyone who says a 325 is only good for the Lennon chug needs to look here:


Btw, I have a 5' 9" frame.

The 350V63 is another option if you want the 325 look but a more practical way for playing...

[8mileshigher]

Welcome aboard the RRF, George !!!

You will probably get lots of different viewpoints, since there are advocates of both 325 short-scales and 600 series models here on the Fourm. Maybe if there is a Rickenbacker Confluence going on, in your vicinity, you might get a chance to try several of them out and A - B 'em .... as well as get the experts opinions there on the spot.

[jdawe]

I had the chance to try out a 620; I was impressed with its tonal versatility. Is it safe to say it is the least characteristic Ric sounding model, or did I not find the appropriate settings?

I'd say that this designation probably belongs to the the humbucker-equipped 650s. To my ears anyway, the biggest determinant is pickups -- I find that a 620s tonal range isn't vastly different from that of a hi-gain equipped 330 or 360, but that they all sound more noticeably different (not necessarily better or worse) than models with toasters (including the 325C64).

As Scott (lilpopes) says, there's no wrong answer here -- its all a matter of personal preference. But I agree with him that a 620 would be more versatile, although I caution that I'm a 620 owner (and proselytizer) who hasn't played a short-scale Rick for many years. How did the 620 feel to you when you played it? It's a pretty small guitar as far as full-scale electric guitars go, so unless you found it actually uncomfortable to play I'd go ahead and not worry if the 325 would be even more comfortable for your frame.

In a perfect world it would be great if you could try them both out and see which one grabs you the most, but I gather that's not an option. However, if you tell us where you live you may discover that a kind-hearted 325-owning board member lives near you and will offer to let you play it.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

I own both a 320 and several 620/610s.

I go through periods of favoring both. Early Beatles do sound better I think on the short scale, even though it can take a while to get used to the scale. (try playing I FEEL FINE to start)

The 620 generally is a more versatile guitar, which I have seen used to play many different styles from Jazz, or blues through Country to Metal. Check youtube for lots of different examples.

[grcoco]

Thank you all for your great input. To answer each one:

iiipopes: I’d be very hesitant to tamper with the internals. Would it be sacrilege to use something like a Jangle Box if I felt I needed more vintage chime? (I just discovered it in the forums). Re: the whammy, I’m not a big fan, anyway, only because I’d tend to over-use it, so I may just leave it off. Otherwise, as I understand it, a Bigsby is easily installed and the recommended alternative. Flavors? I love ALL the flavors of Rickenbackers and their differing nuances of the “Ric sound”. It was hard trying to whittle the choices down. Love the 330; it’s not so much the body size I’m worried about but the neck’s length, i.e. how difficult it would be with my reach to bar at the 1st fret. I’ll be trying out some friends’ other makes just to see if this is really an issue for me or not.

JakeK: A humbling video, my friend. Thankfully, it doesn’t apply to me at all since I only play rhythm and you confirm the general consensus where that’s concerned with the short scales.

8mileshigher & jdawe: Thanks for the welcome. If there’s someone you know here in Athens, Greece who would be willing to let me do a hands on, by all means! I’d be very surprised if there is such an inspired person here, though. The only Ric I’ve ever seen here is when R.E.M. passed through town 2-3 years ago (they were terrific , by the way). I’ll be in the U.S. this May and I hope to find more places with Rics. Last year in NYC, I only found one store (across the street from Sam Ash) with a couple; it’s where I tried the 620. I’ll be in the DC area, NY (the city, upstate and L.I.), and Philly this May. I’ve been searching out stores on line for these areas, but it looks sparse, at best, for Rics. So, in the meantime, I’m forced to get a “feel” for them in my mind rather than in my hands...

Ontario_RIC_fan: Ah, yes....a collection. The ultimate. But I’m going to try and go at it one at a time initially (I hope). I’ve been viewing scores of videos along with the forums. Again, my issue is not so much with the tonal characteristics of each since I love them both (and all) but whether I should be concerned or not if my reach can handle a full scale since I’ll be playing it standing up, unlike how I’ve always played my acoustic, sitting down.

[iiipopes]

Love the 330; it’s not so much the body size I’m worried about but the neck’s length, i.e. how difficult it would be with my reach to bar at the 1st fret.

It's not difficult at all when set up properly with the correct nut slot heights, and the 330 body is a lot easier when sitting down.

[antipodean]

And now for something completely different: since you want more "traditional" tone, and you're used to a guitar with a little bit larger body, I'd actually recommend a 330 instead.

Couldn't agree more. The 330 is a brilliant guitar, and a great intro to Rickenbacker 6-strings.

[jdawe]

Since you're going to be in Philly, you're in luck ... Pick of the Ricks, one of the best places in the U.S. to buy a Rickenbacker, is a very short distance away. It's in Lindenwold, New Jersey which is essentially part of the Greater Philadelphia area even though it's in a different state. If you contact Chris before your trip I'm sure he'd be happy to let you know what he has on hand.

[jps]

And now for something completely different: since you want more "traditional" tone, and you're used to a guitar with a little bit larger body, I'd actually recommend a 330 instead.

Couldn't agree more. The 330 is a brilliant guitar, and a great intro to Rickenbacker 6-strings.

+2, I had a couple of small body Ricks over the years, a 660/12 and a 660 75th Anniversary, but found a 330 to be far more suited to my overall comfort as I primarily play an acoustic when playing guitar.

[grcoco]

Thanks guys. Now the list has been whittled UP to include the 330. It does seem like a wiser transitional choice from playing acoustic all these years. Thanks so much for the Pic of the Rics tip; I didn't realize where they were located. I'll definitely contact them beforehand. I truly hope they'll have a few models on hand for me to finally get a first hand experience. I just hope what I decide on will still be available then since I'll only be around for a month or so. I was thinking of ordering something earlier for that reason. Now, it's the waiting game till then. Oh the humanity.