Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Came across this on eBay UK - who call tell me anything about the 430? It hasn't got even one review over at Harmony Central...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7339387830&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Check here: http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/430/430.htm

Mike: I had one of these once (like the one I've pictured here) ... bought it on ebay without doing a full investigation. I was VERY disappointed in it. The styloe and finish on the body is "simple" to be generous (just stain on plain solid wood), the fretboard is FLAT, not curved and this gives a much different feel. The tuners were cheaper than seen on other Rics and the truss rod cover did not have riased lettering. The sound was not horrible but nothing compared to my Ric 360 semi-hollowbody with Hi-gain pickups.

I once called this model a "piece of junk' on this website and was taken to task by (among others) Mr John Hall himself. They were correct, it is NOT a piece of junk. However it is a guitar that was put out for a short while by Ric in an attempt to capture part of the lower end (cheaper) market, and it shows. IMHO, its not up to the Ric standards that we all have come to know and love.

Kent, I believe the tuners were regular Klusons that every other Rickenbacker used at the time. BTW, I've always liked the vintage style plexi trussrod cover. You are right though, the bolt on neck qualified it as a lower end Rick for sure. Definitely NOT a 360, lol.

dunno... dont have it anymore but I remember that the tuners were different than my 1980 360.... either way, IMHO this model, while not bad for a kick-around guitar, is not worth of the Ric name.

Thanks for the reply, Kent - and it looks like your opinion is supported by the relative lack of interest in the auction for the 430 on eBay UK.

Seems a shame, though - I like the idea of a Ric that's more or less a Telecaster...still 17 hours to go; perhaps I will risk a flutter...

I see you've had a go Mike....

I wonder how it sounds with those Toasters?

Wow, I can see that it sounds really good!

Mike... of the two I'd go for the Tele.

Or maybe just buy a Ric 360 and call it all good.

Well, I did indeed have a go - put in a bid for what I paid for my Mex Tele and still didn't make reserve. And then someone came along and had it away for the BiN...

Oh well - I have my heart set on a MG 330/6 as my next Ric. Must keep saving my pennies...

No no no.

yes yes yes ...... you'll be much happier with the MG 330/6 (and even happier if you changed that middle 3 to a 6)

Sorry Kent, my "no no no" was in reference to the lamentable fact that the 430 even exists.

I absolutely agree with the idea of getting a 330 instead.