Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just to let folks know (since I'm sure you've been sitting on pins and needles in wait) some serious bonding is happening with this guitar, even with the more than occasional string/finger dampening.

. . . I'm loving it . . . and the Vibrato is on order and other stuff is coming . . . . yeehoo!!

Sean,

That's wonderful news that you're overcoming some of the obstacles of playing the very narrow Rickenbacker neck. Unfortunately this is one of the quirks of the guitar. Most of my suggestions have already been made by David and Todd: have a close look at the Roger McGuinn DVD even if you're playing 6-string and already know some of the different voicings. I guess I have smaller fingers, but I always keep my fingernails clipped, and I use a lot of alternate fingerings for open chords. For instance, rather that playing an open A chord in the usual fashion (with my index finger on the D-string, my middle finger on the G-string, and my ring finger on the B-string) I play it with my index finger on the middle (G) string, my middle finger on the low (D) string, and my ring finger on the high (B) string. It takes a little getting used to, but it enables you to play the chord more easily. (I guess what I mean is that I can play the chord with the narrower fret-spacing on the Ricky, but I suppose neck width is another matter entirely). The McGuinn DVD will show you up close how to compensate for the narrowness of the neck (like yours, Roger's fingers are on the large side), and if he can do it on a 12-string, you can certainly do it on a six!

Sean ---

Keep on Bonding !!!!!

I guess I should consider it fortunate that my Rickenbacker 330/6 was my first guitar, so that's what I learned on. I had to adjust the other way when I got guitars with wider necks. And I also suppose that's why I play open A chords with 2 fingers (for 3 strings).

My guitar for 13 years was a Rickenbacker 330, and I'm a 6'3" big galoot. I moved on because I thought a bigger neck would be more suitable for me. Thinking back, I adjusted just fine, and now miss my Rickenbacker. I'm having the same issue with thinking if I'll be able to get back comfortable with the thinner neck. I now have a Jazzmaster, which is pretty sizeable. Anyway, it was my guitar for a long time, so I think it is possible to adjust, despite having meathooks for hands.

I have similar issues. I'm 6'2", take a size 13 boot, got long fingers with wide "spade' tips.
My first electric guitar was a Teisco, - a cheap nasty dog of a thing. (I smashed it with an axe as soon as I bought the Rickenbacker 1998. Very satisfying, that was. )
I don't believe I even tried playing the 1998 before I bought it. I wanted a used archtop but there wasn't any in the store and I had limited time as I was only in the city for a day and had other things to do. Saw the Rickenbacker on the wall and asked how much, ($250) and said I'll take it.
Got back home in the country and suddenly realised how narrow the neck was. Too late, It was mine.
I adapted. I am self taught and reasoned that if Rickenbacker made it like they did, then it must be how a quality guitar is supposed to be.
I simply persevered, spending hours each day until I could play clean notes and chords. After the Teisco, this thing was a dream to play, narrow neck and all. It's amazing how well you can learn to roll your wrist and arrange your fingers so they don't mute adjacent strings if you believe that is what you have to do.
Another spur, was the discovery, some time later, that this was what the Beatles played. Which didn't mean a lot to me until the sheila's started coming backstage and saying things like, "wow that's the same as John Lennon plays - you must be really good." (I'm ashamed to admit that I was careful to say nothing to disabuse them of the notion.)

Vic

Peter Buck is 6'2" and has been known to get a few good sounds out of a Rickenbacker.