Help-MG 330 from Sam Ashe or 350v63 unseen?

jerrysteve · Post by **jerrysteve** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:06 pm

Hello I'm new here and I'm interested in getting either a MG 330 thats at Sam Ashe for around $1100 that I can actually see in person. They also have a FG 360. I can't decide between them. They're both six strings. I don't really play that well and would mostly use it at home on the couch and try to figure some songs out, but mostly experiment with different chord progressions. I'm also interested in a 350v63 but haven't seen one in person. How do these different guitars sound unplugged and plugged in? At the moment I'm leaning toward the MG 330 but would like to have an idea of the pluses and minus of the 350. I mostly like pretty much everything except rap and heavy metal.
Hope y'all can give me some suggestions. For a amp I can use a Roland JC-55.
At Sam Ashe too many different people were playing to many different things so it all turned to noise including the 330 and 360.

thanks - Steve Richards

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:52 pm

At my Sam Ash in South FL, alot of grubby paws get ahold of their guitars, check it over carefully! I recommend the 330 MG, mainly because it's a great, comfy, versatile guitar, and it's not associated with any rock legend, as opposed to the Lennon 350v63. Also, the 350v63 is a tiny little thing, I would not buy that as a first Ric. For my taste, FG is reserved for 12-string only (lots of color for lots of sound), but that's just me. By the way, you should be able to get a 330MG for $999.99 at MF (maybe a little more after the recent price increase), they should match that AFTER tax. Their price is high by about $125 to $175.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:53 pm

Hi Steve.... my vote always goes for the 360. Why? It just looks groovier, thats all! As for the color, keep in mind that some of the FG red is lighter and some a bit darker. I have a 1980 360/6 FG and its more of a ruby red than the lighter orangy ones I've seen on new ones recently. MG is nice too.... especially if you trade the white plastic in for black..... just my 2 cents

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:31 pm

I'd probably order the exact guitar preferred from Chris at POTR or Mike Parks or similar. They will treat you well and work to establish a relationship.

Why not a 360 or 330 in blueburst? You won;t lose money on it in the event of a resale. And it's a killer finish.

I've never played a 350. However, I have tried some of those "GC Special" C-series 325s. They sound surprisingly full and bassy to me, and would kill for jazz if you put some flats on them. Must be the thicker soundbox or something.

jerrysteve · Post by **jerrysteve** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:59 pm

I believe that I will forget about the 350 for now anyway
I'm still leaning toward the 330. The 360 seemed like my fingers had a harder time sliding up the neck and the frets seemed higher off the fretboard, probably just me though.

Is the rick-o-sound feature worth considering for have fun playing at home stuff? What does it do?

I like the MF idea! I wonder if Sam Ashe does price matching.

Can the 330 double as an acoustic? A friend wants to sell his Gibson 333 but to me it doesn't sound very musical, just 6 strings stretched across a board.

What the deal with High Gain vs. Toaster pickups, if I don't know the difference already, does it matter? I don't really care to much for too much treble. Which pickups would be more the mellow and bluesy?

I have thought about Ebay but I'm afraid of getting my hopes set on one and then being outbit. Is it safe or would I be better off just getting a new Ric?

well thanks again!

Steve

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:28 am

If you like the feel of the 330 better, you are the judge. Alot of people prefer the 330, despite the deluxe features of the 360. The hi-gains are definitely more mellow and bluesy than the toasters, which are more trebly and crisp, I think most people here would agree. Sam Ash WILL match the MF price after tax. I just requested a price from them, here it is :

================================================

Thank you for requesting a price from us.

The current Musician's Friend price on the:
Rickenbacker 330 Electric Guitar Mapleglo (#513651.204)
is $999.99 from a manufacturer's list price of $1,519.00

================================================

Sam Ash should sell it to you for $999.99 out the door. For 7% sales tax, that's a $934.57 price tag.

gjg59 · Post by **gjg59** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:06 am

I too am a home player. I had a 1995 FG 330 but sold it awhile back when my wife was sick for a couple months and I sold a few. I really liked that guitar but can always buy another. I bought my 360/6 FG in Feb from MF. They also have free interest for a year if that attracts you.
I think for me a FG or MG 330/6 and a FG 360/12 will settle the dust.

I may actually be selling my new 2005 360/6 if you are interested. Probably for $900.

jerrysteve · Post by **jerrysteve** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:22 am

Thanks again to everybody!

I think I'm gonna go back to Sam Ashe and try each again to be sure. Maybe they have some sort of quite room. They seemed to have a ****** additude tho as far as helping or getting anything down from the top of their wall.

At least now I know that I prefer the High Gains

Mike Parks place in Raleigh, NC is just a couple hours away, I might ride over there. Its hard to find the time though as I have to stick pretty close to my wife (spinal cord injury) On his web site everything seemed to be sold or pretty expensive.

Gerry I am interested. Can you describe it in a little more detail?
I do want to A/B the 330 and 360 once more though. I have a 1951 Gibson LG-3 that I need to sell in order to generate the money for the Ric and I really don't want to Ebay, but from what I understand that is where the market value is determined, at least that's what the guy at Guitar Center said.

Is the Ric store in Raleigh open to the public or is it a mostly internet type of business?

thanks

Steve

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:39 am

My Vote goes for the 350! Its small, leight weight very easy to play...and you can resell it for probably more then you buy it for considering its not as common as say a 330 or 360! Great little guitar!

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:55 am

Wow,you missed a nice 350 on ebay a couple of days ago.I would have gotten it if I hadn't won my 325v63.It went for a lot less and has Hi-Gain pick-ups.Check it out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=7328115550&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

By the way I have bought 8 guitars on E-bay,including 2 Ricks, this year and I haven't had any problem.

jerrysteve · Post by **jerrysteve** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:02 pm

Boy that 350 on Ebay sure did look nice! I hope I'm not getting Ric Fever.

Does anybody know anything about the 330 hardtail and the story behind it? I thought it looked pretty nifty from the photo I saw on www.rickbeat.com.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:55 pm

AFAIK, Mike Parks does not have a brtick/mortar storefront. However, he has offered to let me stop by and check out some of his stock. Send him an email and ask!

I live in NC, therefore, perversely, I shop out of state to avoid sales tax.

jerrysteve · Post by **jerrysteve** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:43 pm

Good idea about shopping outside of NC ,but doesn't shipping cost counter act the tax issue (if you have to pay shipping)

The reason I thought Mike Parks has a regular store was because a Raleigh street address is listed.

Glad I didn't head up there on a spur of the moment - thanks

Is the skinny neck hard to get use to. Guitar Center had a 360/330 a while back and it seemed like to make a regular 3 finger D chord I had to do a half bar on three strings and add the B string with my ring or middle finger. I guess you could say I have small to medium size hands. I don't like wide necks at all. Gibson 60's style necks seem to work best for me. The strings seemed to be closer together on the Ric. Just wondering