New Guy bought a Lefty 360-6 Jetglow

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 9:01 pm

I just bought my first Rickenbacker after playing guitar for over 20 years. Lefty Rics are not very common, so I've been waiting a long time to save the money and take the plung. I was a longtime strat player (lefty versions are abundant). I was never completely satisfied with the tone and was constantly trying things to make it sound better. I finaly broke down and traded my '77 US strat to Southpaw guitars in Texas. They gave me $1000 for it, which only left me with having to come up with $500 to make up the difference (price included set up, vintage case, vintage strap and t-shirt). I finally got to play my new guitar in rehearsal last week and was in love with what I was hearing. I loved the responsivenes, the variety of sounds I could get and the disinctive tone that can only come from a Ric. It's got vintage toaster pickups, and I had it set up with DiAddario XL strings (11-49) because that's what I'd been using on my strat and also my Epiphone Les Paul. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on my choice of strings, or if that's just a matter of taste to not have Ric flatwound strings.

I look forward to learning more from you guys (even if you think my guitar is backwards

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:50 am

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the 360!

I use Erny Ball Regular Slinkies on my 370, but every once in awhile they might not have some so I'll substitute for something else. I have used DiAddario's before and I see no problem with them.
Alot of people here either swear by the Rickenbacker strings, either flatwound or compressed wound. There's also alot of fans of Pyramid strings.

I never really get the chance to try either one because they don't carry them here in Moncton (N.B. Canada)

I'm far from a string expert but if you make a search using the "Search" button in the top right section you can find some discussions about whichever strings people have commented on.

The RIC website says there's a specfic gauge your strings should be. The neck is supposed to be set for those settings from the factory. The only thing is if you change gauges you may need to set the truss rods.

Again, congrats on the RIC, the more you'll play it the more you'll love it!

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:07 am

Lefties are not THAT uncommon.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 9:24 am

Bruce...grreat pictures. Really like the burgundy (lefty or not). Can't for sure make out the model though. Is it full scale? Can't see well enough. First it was my hair, then body and now my eyes. But as long as I don't lose my fingers I'll be fine.

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:16 pm

From the left on the sofa:
360v64, 370, 4003, 4001v63

From the left on the floor:
620, 325v59, 350v63, 660/12,650C

Some of these are going to be for sale soon.

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:20 pm

Very Nice, Bruce!
I am envious of all those lefty Rics! I'll try to post a pic of mine when I get a chance to edit it to the proper size. If I had some more money to spend I'd be interested when you sell, but I'd have to start making some money giging to do that.

Southpaw guitars in Texas were really good to work with. I live in Oregon, and they had my guitar to me in 1 week. Is that where you got yours?

As far as string choice and set-up, when I bought it I had them switch to the heavier gauge string and they say they have a guy there who is a real pro at doing set ups for Rics. I'm assuming that he did the job properly since I believe they are the only authorized left Ric dealer in the US, and they've got pro lefty guitarist coming there frequently.

As long as nobody tells me I'm off my nut for my choice of strings, I'll stick with it, and maybe try some flatwounds some day. So far I'm very happy.

It's nice to have some folks to talk to about all things Ric.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:54 am

Welcome Andrew, I'm a lefty player who feels very lucky to have 3 RICs; a 360( modded with HBs), a 1997, and a 360/12 Carl Wilson.

Also, since I live in the Houston area, I consider Southpaws a local dealer. Jimmy is a great guy, but I don't get over there as I as much as I probably should. I bought my CW from them (the other two came from other retailers).

Bruce, I presume that when any of your leftys go on the market, you'll post a message in the For Sale section of this forum.

Here's a link to a picture of my RICs:

http://home.att.net/~wmthor/wsb/media/87663/site1022.jpg

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:25 am

It's cool to know there are other lefty Ric owners and players out there. I'm really hoping to learn a lot about the guitars and be able to virtually connect to others with a similar passion for these great guitars. I've got one guitar buddy who's a long time Les Paul player (mostly jazz lead stuff), and he's giving me a really hard time about getting a Ric, because he thinks there are no good guitarists who play Rics. I try to enlighten him, but I think he just likes giving me a hard time. To me the proof is in the tone (not to mention they look great)

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:41 pm

My guitars came from a variety of sources. My 4003 came from Southpaw along with a SG and a Korean Casino. The 4001v63 came from Chris at Pick of the Ricks, it was a trade for 2 others I had. The 325v59 came from Mike Parks. The 360v64 came from Lark Street Music. The 370 came from a dealer named Indoor Storm, I found it on Gbase. The 620, 650C, 350v63 and the 660/12 were all ordered new from the factory though everyone's friend Ed Roman. BTW, I have never had a problem with him and he has very good prices. I've had a 4004L in MB finish on order from him sice last March.

I'm thinking of selling several Rick's and I am planning to visit Chris at Pick of the Ricks next week to get an idea about prices. I think I will part with the 325v59, the 4001v63, the 650C, and the 360v64. I also have a brand new MIJ Tele in light blue metallic that I think I'll let go. If any of you are interested in any of these, I'll be glad to email better photos and details.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:53 pm

Hi Andrew, and welcome. I too am a left-handed player (all my basses are left-handed) but I have quite a few right-handed Rickenbackers in my collection as well. You'll find the Forum a great place to talk shop about Rickenbackers.

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:17 pm

If I had more disposable income, I'd love to expand my lefty Rickenbacker "collection". After getting my Ric this month, my wife (for the first time) said she could really hear the difference and has a better understanding of the question "why do you need more than one guitar". Right now my other electric is a nice flametop Epiphone Les Paul. It was cheap, but gets the job done. I've also got a 12 string Martin and cheap Samick 6 string accoustic that is just something I take for fun when I travel. I'd love to get a 330 or 360 12 string eventually.

I'll start checking out other strands on this site.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:55 am

Andrew Hunt,
You might want to drop the names of Roger McGuinn, Peter Townsend, John Lennon, George Harrison, Tom Petty, or Peter Buck to your friend who says that no good guitarists play Rickenbacker. Of course, if he has no idea who these people are then just be thankful you are making friends here on the forum WHO DO know good guitarists play Rickenbackers!

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:28 am

Benjamin, those are great names. I like all those guys. I'm really more of a songwriting guitarist heavily influenced by Townshend and Petty's style writing and playing. I've enjoyed cranking up the distortion and wailing at home and in past bands, but that's mostly noodling, or just plain wanking...gives you some momentary pleasure, but in the end doesn't usually leave you satisfied. My friend is really a "lead guitarist" so his idea of a "good" guitar player are John McLaughlin and other Jazz players that play a million miles an hour. I got over the "fasted gun in the west" syndrome long ago when I finally figured out that faster does not mean better.

Now that I am a Rickenbacker owner, and not just an appreciate-er, I will defend and promote these great guitars and the players who use them. I'm glad to count myself among the relative few Lefty guitarists that now have a Ric as my main guitar!

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:12 am

I love Southpaw Guitars, Of my Rics only the 4001S was NOT purchased fron Southpaw.

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:34 pm

Cool basses, Ronn. Almost makes me want to go out and get a Ric bass and bass amp, but I'm not sure my little guitar playing hands could handle that big long neck. The fireglow guitar looks sweet. Is it a 12 or 6 string?

My Ric 360 was my second guitar purchased through Southpaw. The other was my Martin Jumbo 12 string (can't remember the model name off the top of my head). They were very helpful both times. I just wish I could go to Houston and try out all those guitars. I had been eyeing both a 330 and 360 Ric from their catalog and website for 10 years. When I finally decided to take the plunge, I got traded my old strat and took money from selling an amp, and decided on the fireglow 360. It was worth the wait.