300 series return to 21 frets

[crisp]

There is no hard fast rule as far as the neck depths are concerned. From my anecdotal experiences, the Rickenbackers made from 2002-2006 seem to have the most "girth".

An easy way to measure the neck thickness without having to remove the strings is as follows:

1-Take a small watch battery, or something similar in size. I use a spare Rickenbacker saddle
2-Tare the thickness of the battery (or whatever) with your calipers
3-Stick the watch battery (or whatever) between the D and G strings, directly behind the first fret wire. You may want to detune the D and G slightly.
4-Measure from the top of the battery to behind the neck as if you are forming a giant barre chord. Since the battery is tared, you get the true thickness.

I have asked many a seller to do this for me. Some acquiesced no problem, others called me mean words. It IS important.

Best,
Steve

[collin]

There is no hard fast rule as far as the neck depths are concerned. From my anecdotal experiences, the Rickenbackers made from 2002-2006 seem to have the most "girth".

An easy way to measure the neck thickness without having to remove the strings is as follows:

1-Take a small watch battery, or something similar in size. I use a spare Rickenbacker saddle
2-Tare the thickness of the battery (or whatever) with your calipers
3-Stick the watch battery (or whatever) between the D and G strings, directly behind the first fret wire. You may want to detune the D and G slightly.
4-Measure from the top of the battery to behind the neck as if you are forming a giant barre chord. Since the battery is tared, you get the true thickness.

I have asked many a seller to do this for me. Some acquiesced no problem, others called me mean words. It IS important.

Best,
Steve

Or just use the proper tool for the job, and skip all the silliness:

iGaging 8" Digital Outside Calipers https://a.co/d/5YimgWn

[crisp]

No way I am spending that much money on something I am not using several times a week. Nevertheless, seems like a high quality item.

[collin]

No way I am spending that much money on something I am not using several times a week. Nevertheless, seems like a high quality item.

It's $37, come on now. That barely buys lunch for two in 2023 and you have a quality tool for many years.

I find it's incredibly useful, accurate and fast, and offers applications apart from checking the neck thickness as well. Certainly no fumbling about with batteries or whatever makeshift measuring tactic you described earlier.

But hey, to each their own.

[brianeharmonjr]

Okay, I'm not completely crazy. This one definitely has a glossy board:



Giving me hope for a glossy board, 21-fret 360 JG

[jps]

Nice!

[steverok]

To be honest, I find this confusing. The 21-fret guitars should have toasters, no ? Ric's legacy is that hi-gains are for 24-fret guitars.

[steverok]

It also appears that vintage black knobs are now standard.

[jps]

It also appears that vintage black knobs are now standard.

IMO, that's a great thing.

[collin]

To be honest, I find this confusing. The 21-fret guitars should have toasters, no ? Ric's legacy is that hi-gains are for 24-fret guitars.

24-fret 300-series models don't exist anymore.

There's no specific history or legacy between pickup style and number of frets. Toasters were used from 1958-1972 and then reintroduced in the early 1980s for vintage reissue models (which is what they are still used for today).

For some time, you could order a non-toaster model with toasters (i.e. .vintage pickup "VP" option), but that's not a standard feature.

[steverok]

24-fret 300-series models don't exist anymore.

Well, they will exist, in the used market, for decades to come. I hope we'll be getting lots of new sound clip comparisons of 21-fret 330, 360, 330-12, and 360-12, with hi-gain vs. toasters. Which, of course, will probably result in me acquiring more Ric's.

[collin]

24-fret 300-series models don't exist anymore.

Well, they will exist, in the used market, for decades to come. I hope we'll be getting lots of new sound clip comparisons of 21-fret 330, 360, 330-12, and 360-12, with hi-gain vs. toasters. Which, of course, will probably result in me acquiring more Ric's.

Certainly there will be used guitars, but new 24-fret 300-series Rickenbackers cease to exist.

There is potentially a difference in sound because the neck pickup is now under the harmonic where the 24th fret sat before. But I highly doubt most people would be able to tell a difference.

[steverok]

There is potentially a difference in sound because the neck pickup is now under the harmonic where the 24th fret sat before. But I highly doubt most people would be able to tell a difference.

This was a big topic on here years ago, back in 2005, when I got my first Ric 12-string, a 360-12VP. Someone said toasters on a 24-fret Ric was awful sounding, and I have been sad about that ever since lol.

[brianeharmonjr]

360 models rolling out now, I guess:





I kinda dig that squared off neck heel too

[brianeharmonjr]

Also, I actually really like Hi-Gain pickups, but the cosmetics of Toasters on these is a must