Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi, all:

I have been out of the loop for awhile. But, I am thinking of getting a new 6-string Rickenbacker. I love the sound of the 1960s British invasion-- Beatles, of course, and the Byrds-- especially the "jingle jangle."

Anyway, I have taken a brief look out there. But, what is the difference between the 330 and 360, for instance???

Any suggestions?

Karl

A Model 1997 is my vote.

Yep. 1997 with 7.4K's, solid nickel strings and a AC30.

For Byrds get a Carl Wilson 12 string and a Janglebox pedal.

Together, you will have many 'jingle jangle mornings'.

A JangleBox for sure and if I had the money I would get a '97 (and a lot of other stuff as well). I also like the idea of the Wilson. I've heard nothing but rave reviews on the Wilson model Ric.

they are bright guitars that's for sure

330

360

Which is a body shape? The 360, of course!!!

The Wilson is an outstanding guitar, and it looks stunning because Rickenbacker went all out on choosing the wood. Cannot go wrong!

What is the difference between the Wilson 360 and regular 360's?

Good old Carl.... vastly under-rated.

Thinner top, scatter wounds 7.4K ohm coils, 21 frets to name a few. Great guitar!

I find a 360 much more comfortable to play than a 330, mostly due to the rounding on the body and the binding on the fretboard.

I think the best combination of sound and feel would be the 360CW, or a real mid-60s 360 (good luck!) The 360V64 is nice, too, just ever so slightly less comfy.

That's my $.02.

came across this:

http://www.bootlegzone.com/beatleg/thejets.html

........ "I've read too that Koschmider was paying us 'peanuts'. Absolute rubbish! We were getting at least double what an average German earned and on top of this we had free accommodation. I know it wasn't luxurious but if we had wanted we could have afforded to go elsewhere. I was with John Lennon when he purchased his famous Rickenbacker guitar from Musikhaus Hummel in the centre of Hamburg. It was a very expensive instrument and he paid for it cash. You can't do that on peanuts! Incidentally John didn't go in to specifically buy a Rickenbacker. It so happened that it was the only American guitar in stock and he went for it. I wouldn't presume to say that my admiration for the guitar swayed John's decicion to buy it, but it's nice to think it might have been! Maybe if for instance they had only an Epiphone or a Gretsch in stock he would have bought something different. I bet that would have made a sizeable difference to Rickenbacker's profitability in the 1960's if he had done so!"

I know the 330/360s are seen as THE Rickenbacker guitar of choice, but you should definitely consider the 620/660 family, as well. I have a 620 with hi-gain pickups that sounds incredible and is much more versatile than it's normally given credit for being. You could always go for the 660 if you need more fretboard room and use vintage pickups which are standard on the 660 and optional on the 620. If John Lennon had bought a 620, The Beatles would have been even bigger. They could have, dare I say it ... ruled the world.

Fascinating stuff, Kent...

I often thought that the accounts of those early days sometimes didn't add up (Lennon buying the Rickenbacker although he was living supposedly on beans on toast, that sort of thing...).

Most shocking is the recent picture of Tony Sheridan on the linked page.

Paul,

It really doesn't matter which Rickenbacker you choose; they're all useful, under-rated for versitility and sinfully photogenic!
If it's that 12-string sound you are chasing, test drive a 620, 360 or 330. If it's the 6-string sound you want..test drive a 620, 360 or 330! You can't make a bad choice with Rickenbacker!
One note of caution: If you (like me) are a serious John Lennon fan, give careful consideration before buying a little 320/325. They're quite small and feel rather like a toy in the hands of any man over 5'10..My two cents.

Good Luck!
Larry