Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi
New to this forum (glad to have found it!). Have 4 (hopefully easy questions)
1. Best place(s) to purchase (or to stay away from). I'm thinking I'll probably have to special order since I want the midnight blue color.
2. 12 saddle bridge--yes or no?
3. Toasters vs standard HG? Worth the investment?
4. Vintage case vs stock. Worth the upgrade?

Thanks to all in advance!

Valenti

1. I've had good luck with POTR.
2. I believe it's worth it. But there was a huge discussion of this some months ago. The stance of RIC is that, IF you get a high-quality, machine-made string, you should not have intonation problems with the 6-saddle.
3. Personal taste. Cosmetically, toasters rock. Sonically, I like 'em both. Try out both if you can.
4. Is the vintage case option even offered anymore? For my money, the regular cases are just fine.

Seth, welcome!

You may not have to wait. I'd do a Google search on "midnight blue rickenbacker" and see what pops up. One of RIC's dealers in the USA might have one in stock.

Ed Roman in Las Vegas has lots of Ricks in stock. He DOES NOT haggle, but has a huge selection.

The issues of saddle pickups, and case are all personal preferences. The vintage cases are heavy but beautiful. The standard molded cases are just fine for regular use. Ed will try to push vintage cases, but that's his own personal preference.

POTR is "Pick of the Ricks". Good source.

I personally bought a 370/12 from Mike Parks' Rickenbacker Page, and was very pleased with the communication/service/instrument.

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ric.htm

2) standard bridge -> better tone
3) toasters all the way

1. Keep in mind the time that ordering a specific color might take -- If the color were that important to me, I'd scour the net looking for someone with one in stock. Of course, if you're going with the VP option, that won't be an option.

2. I understand both sides of the argument and sympathize with both. That said, I've never needed a 12.

3. See below.

4. I don't think they are offering it as an option any more.

3. Cont'd:
First, I think other peoples' opinions are a pretty lousy place to find out what your own ears like. That includes me and anything I tell you. There is no opinion that should tell you to disagree with your own ears.

That said,
Hi-Gain and the 'new' Vintage both have very, very strong points. A lot depends on the type of music you're playing, and therefore the tone you are attempting to achieve.

The current vintage craze -- and it's not unique to Rickenbacker -- is to go with low ohmage, Alnico magnets and scatter winding. It ends up being a low output pickup. My experience is that low output pickups allow the string to move more naturally and result in a more acoustic tone. If that is what you are going for, it's the way to go.

I've owned guitars with Hi-Gains, real vintage, first round reissue vintage, and even the Rick humbucker (way under-rated). I haven't tried the new scatter wound jobbies, but I'm sure RIC did a great job.

My own ears tell me that the Hi-Gain is a more versatile pickup than the mid 60s toasters I've played (though I like 'em both a lot). To my ears, Hi-Gains are everything a toaster is, but more of it -- there's oomph on the bottom and sparkle on the top. I think it's just a fantastic pickup.

But nothing anyone can tell you will make one or the other sound better. See if you can get to a music shop and find out which you like.

Appreciate everyone's input (and welcome more).

Bradley:, Agree that my ears are my own. I have a 1977 Guild D55 that I bought new in 77 and to me, it sounds fantastic. Others prefer Martins or Taylors. Problem with the Ric is no one in the Seattle area has one to try out, period.

The (possible) intonation issue with the 6 vs 12 string saddle had me a bit worried, as I'm pitch sensitive, and nothing sounds worse to me than an out of tune guitar (6 or 12 string). Sounds like it's not really an issue?

With the 6-saddle bridge, you notice the intonation difference on the big E and A pairs the most, and only after the 9th fret or so. I intonate mine so that the fat (top) string is in tune up the neck, I mostly pick down on those ones anyway, I never really hear the out-of-tune strings.

I did extensive A/B listening tests of the 6-saddle and 12-saddle bridges. I recorded several A/B samples, I was very disappointed with the degradation in tone from the 12-saddle bridge. I played the samples for my pro-level guitarist friend, within 5 seconds, he said the 6-saddle bridge was fuller and richer sounding, the 12-saddle bridge was more metallic and tinny sounding. Of course, I can't say that is always the case, but this was a long and painful process for me, I believe it, it makes sense. There are alot of vibrations going on in a Ric 12, I find it's best to limit them as much as possible.

One question I'd have -- and really, anyone who is a 370 advocate please feel free to jump in -- why a 370 instead of a 360?

My first Rick was a 360. I immediately started longing for the LOOK of the 370 -- that extra pickup just looks so cool. It was one of the leading factors in my decision to sell that 360, actually. Once I started playing 3-pickup Ricks, though, I really started to realize that I prefer the tone of the 2 pickup models. To my ear, there's just not as much distinction in the 3 different toggle positions on the 3 -- and you can never get a really clear tone (again, to my ear) out of the "up" (neck) toggle position. Then later I find out that Lennon's middle pickup was unhooked and I say, "yeah, I could see that." On the 2 pickup models, there are 3 distinct tones one can start from -- I like that a lot.

Anyhow, after 20 years of hemming and hawing about it, I'm firmly in the 360 camp. Maybe if the 370 were wired differently I'd change my mind (or any other 3 pickup model). I've got a project 330 that I've added a middle pickup to (as well as putting a RIC humbucker at the bridge). The wiring allows for any possible permutation of pickups (as well as out of phase and coil splitting toggles). I don't think all THOSE combinations are necessary, but it would be nice to see something more like the Strat toggle (I know, I feel dirty for even suggesting it) on a 370.

I guess the other possible reason is "hey, Roger McGuinn's guitar looked cool," or "Pete Townshend's guitar looked cool." Far be it from me to suggest that isn't a valid reason. Anything that inspires you musically is valid, you know? Maybe that's shallow, but I honestly don't think so. Music ain't about logic. It's about inspiration. Take it wherever you can find it.

I too have the hots for 350 twelve or a 370 twelve. Something about those things.

Appreciate everyone's comments.Though I'm not new to guitars (been playing since 1966), I AM new to Rics.

Realized it's darn near impossible to just buy one. I've gotten quotes up to a year wait. Ended up putting a deposit on a 360-12 that was ordered several months back and should be here by October. (I almost started thinkin' 'geeze, maybe I should've bought a Strat...at least they're on every street corner. No waiting. LOL.)

Decided on Blue Burst for a number of reasons. I'll let y'all know how it goes once it arrives.

Thanks again for the postings.

Valenti