Thoughts on the 650 line

golfo · Post by **golfo** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:39 pm

me again. i've been trying to read up on the rick line. the 650 (dakota, etc.) are the humbucker models. the reviews at harmonycentrlal are very positive - some saying it's the best humbucker guitar ever. what does the rick crowd think?
thanks again
geoff

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:10 pm

Great great guitar. The ONLY thing I do not like about it was a little lack of proper balance and the fact that it slides off my leg while sitting. Otherwise it is awesome.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:12 am

I'm still evaluating the sound of the 650C I pickup last week but I find the balance on mine perfect both sitting or standing with a strap. It seems that the pickups are out of phase though. With both selected it seems to loose some bottom end and gets a little of that nasal like tone. I did check the wiring it it is correct per the info on the RIC website. I may have to contact their service to see if this is normal. The bridge and neck pickups are different by part number. I really like the wider neck.

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:15 am

I've Heard some people not liking the thick heel. But I Love it. Ill use quotes I once heard to describe the 650's......

"The Rickenbacker 650 is the Nicest looking Guitar that rickenbacker has" (not that I agree with that)

"The Rickenbacker 650 is one of the best valued guitars on the market"

Chris Clayton of Pick of the Ricks

.....Ill be buying one from him very shortly.....

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:29 am

What heel?

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:07 am

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:46 am

goto www.edromanguitars.com and check out the Van Campen mod.....he shaves down the heel for you. although I dont agree with most of his oppinions, Shaving down the neck heel makes it a bit more comfortable for some.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:57 am

It also does a great job of weakening the neck at a critical point.

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:00 am

Yes, notice thats why I said the word "some".....I wouldnt want to modify my 650 like that.....but some do....who wants to change those nice pickups out of that guitar for some ****** Dimarzios or whatever they are?!

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:02 am

Pardon, Seymour Duncans

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:03 am

He seems like a very egotistical person from some of the things i've read. Ever work with him Mr. Hall?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:16 am

A bit of trivia:

Ed likes to put us on. Word has it that he called it the "Van Campen" mod because while he was doing the first one, he was eating a can of pork and beans.

He combined the brand name with the last syllable of Eddie Van Halen's name and--voila! A legend was born.

But, sadly, it was born with a weak neck.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:22 am

This is my first guitar with 24 frets. 21 or 22 have always been enough for me. Even so I can get to the 24th fret on this with no discomfort. So why shave it down? Why screw up a perfect finish?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:02 am

Let's just say that Ed is a character and one-of-a-kind!

dr_evil · Post by **dr_evil** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:03 am

Back to the original issue: I use a 650 Dakota and a 650 Colorado for recording for five years now and haven't used another guitar ever since. You can get any sound from a 650, it's simply the best guitar for me. I agree that it slides from your leg if you are seated, a thicker body with sharper edges would stop that. So if RIC ever updates the line...