Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I found out the 360 is within my budget too...how do they sound in comparison?

A lot of reviews said these Rics are not suitable for solos or lead playing.

Is this true?

Help!

I'm gonna go play some tomorrow.

Mark

Mark, in a word....RUBBISH!

Any one who writes that sort of stuff should be forced to eat their own pencils, because they obviously know nothing about Rics. I only play Rics (1997, 360V64-12, 330's) & I solo madly on them & they sound GREAT.

Mark, listen to some R.E.M. - Peter Buck uses a 360 in much of the leads (and rhythm) tracks. I don't think many would find his leads "unsuitable"!

Also, think about the 12-string leads in any of the Byrds' songs: if a 360 were unsuitable, a 370/12 most certainly be unsuitable, too.

As Tony said, "RUBBISH!"

If you are reading the reviews over at harmony central, take-'em with a grain of salt on the whole "lead" thing.

Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney has used a 330 on several albums. It snarls and hisses as well as anything, if you need it to.

Nope it can be done. Be patient when you first get it. It requires a time period to get used to it and the guitar to break in.
Then bam your there and man does it sound good.

Don't forget that mystical blend knob. It is the key to a range of unique voicings!

Rics are not Strats or Les Pauls ---- but more importantly THOSE GUITARS ARE NOT RICKENBACKERS -and they cannot do what Rics do. Or look as good while they're doing it.

Unless you're stictly a metal player or traditional jazzbo, a Ric CAN be your sole (or main) guitar.

Noel

yup.... soul guitar

Cool! After I get outta work, I'm heading to KC to play a 620, 330, & 360. I will be playing blues & Christian praise tunes. I do solo quite a bit as well. I'll post tomorrow on what I gleaned &/or bought!
Is there a playing difference between 330s & 360s? Or 620s for that matter as they all have the same neck dimensions?

Thanks!

Mark

Mark: Each of these instruments has a different body feel and, to my way of thinking, that plays a role in performance.

The 620 is more compact while the bodies of the 330 and 360 are much larger in comparison.

I don't think it is possible for me to ignore the body size even though necks may be identical. Also, the feel of the binding is also a factor.

While most people can adapt to most things, there is no substitute for trying out an instrument before you buy it.

How does the body size of a 620 compare with a 325?

Mitch, both felt like children's toys in my hands -the 325 moreso than the 620 (scale length?). The big 300-series Rics feel more natural to me.

Mark, I can't wait to hear what you end up with!

Here is an image which may help (or maybe not). The background was hastily blacked out because it was distracting.
L to R: 340DG, 1997SPC/VB, 360V64, 650A/VT

Many classic leads have been played on Ric 360's by George Harrison, Roger McGuinn, Mike Campbell (probably Glenn Campbell, too). I used Rickenbacker 360's and 620's (6 and 12 strings) exclusively for years and had no problem getting nice lead sounds. If you're after a Metallica sound, you might be in trouble, but the Who always sounded good with only one guitar which was usually a 330 or 330/12. I prefer the 300 series to the 600 series. The thin hollow body gives it a unique resonance. I did own a 320 for a short while and rarely used it. The 3/4 scale is great for reaching some out there "adult" chords, but it wasn't very comfortable as a lead guitar.

>>>The 3/4 scale is great for reaching some out there "adult" chords...

Are those the ones you play while nekkid?

OK---here's the scoop...
Saturday I found a shop in KC that had a 620, a 330, & a 360 in stock.
The 620 neck was too small for me but the guiotar sounded great.
The 330 played GREAT but the blend knob didn't do as much and the tone was darker...
The 360 was perfect. ALl the Rics were beautiful & perfectly made, I mean they were PERFECT. Easily the best guitars I have ever touched. This includes high end Gibsons & Fenders.
The 360s tone was incredible.
But...

As sonmeone commented, the tiny frets were a probl;em for me combined with the tighter tension. It made bending strings, especially in the upper register, too difficult.
Would moving to compressed wound 9s or 8s fix the problem?

I think I will wait till I play a 650 since they have bigger frets.
But wow... what astounding guitars. Easily the best...but just not a fir for me...yet.

But boy, could I haul butt on that 360!! I couod move on that neck & the chords just rang & rang.
Now I know why you guys love these things so much.
I need to try a 650 Dakota...BAD!

Mark