Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

1. If you have had two or more Ricks in your guitar playing history, which one was/is your favorite? Why is it your favorite? And do you still have it? If you don't currently have it, why did you get rid of it?

2. What is the next Rick you would like to get? And why?

The 360/12 CW is my favorite, although the 1997 probably gets more playing time.

Since I'm been playing a lot of classic country and bluegrass, my next RIC will probably be a 730S. However, I wouldn't rule out getting a 650 or 620.

Same here cept I probably play my 370/6 more than the 360/12. (that might change when I get a new nut on the 12string) .If was gonna get another, it would be a 6oo series

John

Great questions Roger. My favourite Rickenbacker is the Model 350. The look and sound of Lennon with a very comfortable fretboard. My next Rickenbacker, when the Canadian dollar moves much higher than 62 cents US, is going to be a 360/12V64 or 360/12C63. I cannot get the image of Harrison playing his 360/12 nearly forty years after the fact. While the sound is the key reason for coveting the 360/12 in Fireglo, I have to confess that the look has an element of magic that pulls me like a magnet. So does this mean that the Beatles' have had a significant impact on my like? Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah!

My JG 360/6 was my favourite. Since nobody around could fix the electronics and adjust the rods on it, I got rid of it (sobs ). After 3 or 4 years of playing on a Yamaha SG series, I had to try a Ric again. So I went and bought a brand new JG 330 since this was all I could afford at the time.And of course I fell in love with Rics again! But I'm looking forward to purchase a Sierra 650 soon. Funny enough, just like Peter, I'm waiting for that darn CDN $ to raise in a more acceptable range!!! Wish it was " money for nothing...!"

I have owned a few Ricks over the years...I currently have 3. My favorite is my Fireglo 360/6 with high gain pickups. I think that I may be in the minority being a fan of the high gains, but they really do the job for me. I can get pretty close to the classic Rick sounds through my Vox AC 15, yet still kick it into high gear through my Marshall JCM 2000 with well balanced, exceptionally smooth sustain.

I like the way the guitar fits my hands, and the rounded top body edges make this guitar extremely comofartable to play. It is lightweight, well balanced, and with the dual truss rods and well designed bridge, you have total control over the desired action. I have the neck set with very little releif and pretty low action, and the guitar does not buzz at all.

Overall, I can't say enough about the cool design featrues of the modern 360/6. I do understand what Peter is saying about the image of those classic double bound V64 models though. They look fabulous, and I think that my next Rick will probably be along those lines.

My problem is that I go through "phases" and my tastes can change over time! I wish I could attach myself to one specific style of Rick, like Roger McGuinn, and exploit it to the max. My short attention span, and my desire for frequent tone changes is getting expensive. I am always looking for my next guitar, keeping an eye on the online auction sites and other sites like Pick of the Ricks and Fred's Music. Who knows where I will land next...maybe an old Capri or 450?

Some photos and songs featuring ny current Ricks...

http://home.attbi.com/~drjeffreyb/

I've got my 360/6 VP Mapleglo right now, which I love, but my next Ric will probably be a 370/12 in Jetglo. At least that's my plan for today and maybe tomorrow

I too, am another Canuck waiting for the dollar to be in much better shape.

'66 335 fireglo now. 360 jg high gain next. 12 string 360 or 620 high gain after that (in the year 2525?).

I have three Jetglo Ricks: 360/12, 4003, and 325V63. I'm primarily a guitar player so I'd have to say my favorite is the 360/12, even though I love that bass too! The chiming sound and tone from the 360/12 is a sound like no other. I sold my first 325V63 and I couldn't take it, so I had to buy another one.

I had a 360/6 fireglo about 15 years ago, and although it was a good guitar I always preferred my Gibson ES-335 for a 6 string. But Last summer I got the bug to purchase a 620/12 jetglo and I have to say I have been playing it more than my gibson and I am seriously thinking of selling my 335 and getting a fireglo 620/6.
Don't that beat everything?!?!?
Karl

I have a 360-6 MG w/higain pups from 1996 and a 660 - 6 FG from 2000 with VP. Along with my gretsch sparklejet, these are my main guitars.

The better I play, the more I enjoy both ricks. The neck on the 360 is sweet and I can do a lot with it. The wood MG finish is so nice to look and even the maple has some nice patterns. In terms of sounds, The high gains still get the beatles and / or 60's sound but offer some more too, especially when you use the blend nob toward the bass pup and you switch to the bass pup only.

The 660 is a thing of beauty. The fireglow is out of site, the gold pick guard and name plate are a terrific combination to the FG. The fret board has full shark markings unlike the 360 and 620 (which are somewhat smaller).The 660 has vintage toaster pup which probably "nail" the 60's sound better. That being said, if my bar cords were more fluid I do even more to get that 60's sound ... hah, hah, hah.

Both are keepers !

In terms of the next ric .... I am constantly thinking of several :
* 12-string : I can't decide if its the 12string that will get the sound or if it is the model 12 string ... For example, a 620/12 is less cash than a 330 or 360. In the same light, should one get a 340 or 370 because of the three pups ? Speaking about pups, for a twelve string, do they need to be VP to get close to the sound ? Ihave not mentioned the V 64 either. Then there is the issue about the width of the neck : the 330/40 choice provides more space thanks to the lack of binding. The 660 would even be larger and a thing of beauty. Also, if I were to buy a 12/st, what do I do with my 360 ... decisions / decisions. 12-stringers, HOW DID YOU DECIDE ?

* glen frey : a reasonably priced signature model.

* carl wilson 12 or a 381/12 : blow the bank for Real Deal (not to mention a c series).

* 380 laguna
* accoustic 12 string.
*325/12 - JL and a 12-string in one ; hardly used by him and supposedly very cramped on the neck.

I guess if I had the cash, I'd me buying more than one. This says a lot about the sound but also the quality of the instrument. My ric is so less tempermental than my Gretsch. (it too has a unique beatles sound). Given its tempermentality, I will probably just keep one.

Overall, I think more toward a twelve string. But I can use advice on the right one given the price. Also, was it a challenge to transition from a six string to a twelve string ?

In France, there is a difference in price than in the US. A 330/12 is about 1700 € or $1500. With Pick of the Ricks, you could get that at under $1000 in the US used.

I would have to say I like playing all of my Ricks; I only have twelve-strings and basses. Being a bass player first, I would say I 'understand' it better than a guitar, but I tend to approach guitar playing differently, 'cause it still has a 'newness' about it.

As far as another Rickenbacker to add to the stable, probabaly the oldest left-handed bass that I can come across as well as any pre-1972 guitar that is left-handed....

David,

I'm also going to get a Ric 12 for my next guitar and my advice to you is to order what your gut tells you to. If you really want a 360/12, don't order the 620/12 just because of a price difference. For instance, I'm very happy I got my 360/6 instead of a 330/6.

A lot of people do seem to have issues with the smaller necks on Ric 12's, so if that's going to be an issue for you, that's a strike against the 300 series and a plus for the 600 series. Perhaps make a list of the pros and cons of the few models you have in mind - write out a few potential setups for these instruments and try and play as many 12's (Ric or otherwise) at the music stores near you.

Excellent advice, Corey.

While we are on the subject of our next Rick, could someone explain to me the difference in sound between a 360/6 and a 620/6? I have a 360/6 and I love it, and I am thinking about adding a 620 to my collection. Is it worth it? How much will it expand my tonal palette? I also own an American Series Strat, two Les Pauls, and a 650D (with Rick humbuckers), so I am trying to justify adding this Rick solidbody to my collection with the hopes that it will offer me something that I don't currently have...tonewise. Help me justify laying out another grand for a new guitar. Should I get rid of one of my other guitars in favor of the 620?

Also, are there any recordings by artists that prominently feature the 620/6. Thanks in advance.

--jeff

http//home.attbi.com/~drjeffreyb