My first Rickenbacker: help needed!

pop mccartney · Post by **pop mccartney** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:34 am

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum, i'm from France (which is definitely not a good idea when you love Ricks).

I'm lucky enough to turn 40 in less than a month and my beloved wife wants to treat me with my dream guitar for my birthday.
I tried to tell her that the one i've dreamed about for more than 20 years is rather expensive but she's still ok with that (lucky me).

So i'm looking for a 330 or a 360. I've spotted a few on the net but i'm still not sure about a few things:

- first 330 or 360? I've read the very interesting thread about 330 or 360 on this very same page but still...I've read many times that the 360 is a sort of "deluxe" model of the 330. I find them a bit bulky compared to the 330 but i've seen a very good deal on a 2013 fireglo so is it worth it? When it comes to the sound, from what i've read here 330 and 360 sound pretty much alike (same mics...), right?

- then vintage or new? There are a few 330 from the 90's on sale (the 70's and 80's are way out of my price league). Are these better sounding than the ones issued these days? A guy is selling one from 2006 for cheap because he says quality is not what it used to be. I don't know what to think of it.

And finally: are there good 360 fakes? I don't want to spend 1800$ and more (well, my wife's...) on a chinese fake. There's a "brand new" pre-owned 360 for 1800$ for sale, i'm not sure it's legit. I can send photos if needed.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I was so surprised to see there's a forum for Rickenbacker lovers

Sorry about my english, as you know, i'm better in French

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:10 am

We do not consider off-branded pseudo-instruments on this forum, except to warn others about current activity to avoid.

Get a 330 from a reputable dealer or person and you will be happy.

Medicus1963 · Post by **Medicus1963** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:25 am

Hi Cyril,

Welcome to the forum !! There are some nice 330 or 360 Guitars at Ebay available for you in France. You do not have such a lot of customs cost if you do not buy in the USA. These costs often exceed the price you have to pay in europe. Please look also for some dealers like www.woodbrass.com in France or www.thomann.de in Germany.

Good luck for your purchase !

Peter

RIC_FACTORY · Post by **RIC_FACTORY** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:38 am

Our distributor in France and Benelux is Algam, try contacting them. Here is a link to their site - http://www.laboitenoiredumusicien.com/

Also, they have a video demo with a 2012 330 - http://www.laboitenoiredumusicien.com/l ... -fg-n4593/

If you are interested in what other French players have to say about the 360, check this out - http://www.laboitenoiredumusicien.com/r ... fg-p27540/

Algam has been doing a very good job in France and Benelux and I have noticed a lot more Ricks available in stores there over the past couple of years.

pop mccartney · Post by **pop mccartney** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:00 am

iiipopes wrote:We do not consider off-branded pseudo-instruments on this forum, except to warn others about current activity to avoid.

Get a 330 from a reputable dealer or person and you will be happy.

Hmmm there's some misunderstanding here: i was trying to avoid being ripped off. I did certainly NOT want to buy any copy. I asked a guy for infos about where and when he purchased his on-sale 360 but he didn't want to reply, that's why i was suspicious.

Thanks for the infos. I'm still hesitating between a brand new 330 from an authorised dealer and a mint 1999 330 at a very reasonnable price.
Are the 330's from this period as good as the current versions? Thanks again.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:16 am

pop mccartney wrote:
iiipopes wrote:We do not consider off-branded pseudo-instruments on this forum, except to warn others about current activity to avoid.

Get a 330 from a reputable dealer or person and you will be happy.
Hmmm there's some misunderstanding here: i was trying to avoid being ripped off. I did certainly NOT want to buy any copy. I asked a guy for infos about where and when he purchased his on-sale 360 but he didn't want to reply, that's why i was suspicious.

Thanks for the infos. I'm still hesitating between a brand new 330 from an authorised dealer and a mint 1999 330 at a very reasonnable price.
Are the 330's from this period as good as the current versions? Thanks again.

If there is a big difference in price, buy used. The main differences between '99 and '13 to me would be the different fretboard wood and the adjustable pole pieces on the hi gain pickups. Those differences are not worth a big up-charge IMHO. Good luck!

If a 360 is still on the table as an option, I'd consider it. The deluxe inlays, stereo output, binding, and body shaping are all things I like very much, and worth the difference in price between 330 & 360.

360girl · Post by **360girl** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:25 am

It all depends upon what you like. 360s are not quite as hollow as 330s and as a result are a bit heavier. As for the pickups - other than adjustable polepieces on the present day pickups, 90s pickups will sound pretty much the same as today's pickups. Of note - the 90s guitars will have a wider headstock than today's guitars. This is purely a cosmetic thing. You may not be able to do so, but if you can try before you buy. I like 360s, but other players prefer 330s. Both are great guitars.

pop mccartney · Post by **pop mccartney** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:55 am

Thanks for these infos.

I've asked again the seller for infos on the 360 because the price is really attractive for a still mint 2012 model (under warranty, he says).

Anyway, i'm over-excited by the prospect of owning one of these.

I'll go to a music shop next weekend to try 330 and 360 (if i can find one).

Then i guess i will need your help to chose a new amp! I know it's going to be tough...

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:14 pm

Id buy a used 330 the 90s ones are great. Good luck with your purchase.

xpitt · Post by **xpitt** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:10 pm

Hi Cyril, forumite Werner is selling a 360 and a 340 (330 with a third pickup) in Holland at an attractive price,. check here:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=410245
It's not a far way to go from France

Good luck with your purchase !

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:19 pm

pop mccartney wrote: Anyway, i'm over-excited by the prospect of owning one of these.

Cyril -- welcome aboard the RRF !
Bet you can't get just one !!

RIC_FACTORY · Post by **RIC_FACTORY** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:50 pm

pop mccartney wrote:Thanks for these infos.

I've asked again the seller for infos on the 360 because the price is really attractive for a still mint 2012 model (under warranty, he says).

Anyway, i'm over-excited by the prospect of owning one of these.

I'll go to a music shop next weekend to try 330 and 360 (if i can find one).

Then i guess i will need your help to chose a new amp! I know it's going to be tough...

Good choice... The 90's ones are great, but there is nothing particularly special about them. You mentioned "vintage or new?" in your initial post, referring to 90's models, but around here that is not even close to vintage. Plus, the 2012 is under still warranty according to the seller? Très bien!

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:08 pm

Welcome aboard, Cyril! I own a 1991 330/12 and used to have a 2010 360/12. I actually found that the 360 was lighter to hold than my 330, and I've always preferred the rounded cutaway on the 360 to the sharp one on the 330, not to mention the wedge inlays to the dots. Overall, I think the 360 looks more elegant than the 330. Aesthetic issues aside, I found that my 330 and 360 sounded totally different (both were equipped with the same 7.4k toasters). They also played differently, which may be due to the neck profiles (I think they have the same fretboard radius). Despite their similarities, the two guitars have totally different vibes.

pop mccartney · Post by **pop mccartney** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:44 am

8mileshigher wrote: Bet you can't get just one !!

I'm afraid you're right. I'm already considering buying a 12 strings 360 in the next few years.

There's one for sale on a french website for a very reasonable price but i want a 6 strings for my first Rick.

pop mccartney · Post by **pop mccartney** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:48 am

Folkie wrote:Welcome aboard, Cyril! I own a 1991 330/12 and used to have a 2010 360/12. I actually found that the 360 was lighter to hold than my 330, and I've always preferred the rounded cutaway on the 360 to the sharp one on the 330, not to mention the wedge inlays to the dots. Overall, I think the 360 looks more elegant than the 330. Aesthetic issues aside, I found that my 330 and 360 sounded totally different (both were equipped with the same 7.4k toasters). They also played differently, which may be due to the neck profiles (I think they have the same fretboard radius). Despite their similarities, the two guitars have totally different vibes.

Thanks Folkie!

How different do they sound?

From what i've heard on youtube tests, 360 sound a little mellower, right?

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