Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey guys i am seriously thinkin about buying this RIC, but I have no clue how it plays. Please be brutally honest and if you could maybe recommend a better RIC in the same price range. Heres a pic of the guitar. http://www.music123.com/Rickenbacker-650D-i21366.music?t=4

Welcome to The Rickenbacker Forum, Blaine.

In order to answer your question, it would be helpful if you could let us know what type of music you play, what your favourite instruments have been and what your expectations are for this instrument beyond cost.

That's the list price there, they go for something like $700 at Musician's Friend.

Blaine,
Welcome to the forum. Where are you located? There may be a dealer or another member that can let you play one. Nothing like a test ride.

To answer all your questions I pretty much play everything and anything and im pretty much lookin for a good all around guitar. I really usually play acoustics, but im really lookin to get an electric. My only real expectation is as i said i want it to be a good all around guitar.

In that case, I think you should be very happy with a 650. I've had mine for nearly 4 years - I play it in church, where we cover a wide variety of styles. I've never found anything it can't cope with. You may want to search through some of the older postings here in the forum - you'll find a variety of comments.

It also has the advantage of being the least expensive Rickenbacker - as Steve mentioned, around $700 is a typical mailorder price. It's a heck of a deal.

Welcome from me too, Blaine. I'd take a couple of those reviews with a grain of salt....... doesn't sound like a Les Paul - of course it doesn't!!

If you've been playing acoustics I guess you're used to it, but be aware that the neck is 1-3/4" at the nut.

The other one that may be worth considering is the 620, which has the narrower neck (1-5/8") and has hi-gain pups vs. humbuckers.

Whatever you get, I hope it's a Rickenbacker - I'd like a 650C or 650D in my collection!!

Though I sold it, I had a 650A/VT Ric. If you're inclined to solidbody electric guitars, there is NO reason a 650D could not be your sole instrument.

They are quite versatile with a sound far more pristine than that of most humbucker-equipped guitars. Definitely give it a shot, Blaine.

=noel=

Here's a very comprehensive review from a few years ago on alt.guitar.rickenbacker - I corresponded with the author a number of times before taking the plunge with mine.

http://tinyurl.com/djn8r

David reading that review bothered me a little. In it said that because the neck was so fat and wide its kinda hard to play bar chords. I play alot of bar chords and if this neck will inhibit my playing at all I dont know If this is the guitar i want.

The hazards of taking one opinion too seriously include jumping to a conclusion which one might regret. I'd say try one out. If you can't find one to try out, order one from somebody who has a money back guarantee; that way you'll only lose postage.

You might want to talk to the folks at woodwind and brasswind (www.wwbw.com). Their prices should place it below $700.00, they offer all kinds of special deals (free shipping, etc.), and are very generous with their return policies. For a huge company, their customer service department is very personable.

They're slightly above $700.00 with shipping free.

Blaine - Paul is absolutely right. You should try one for yourself, and the strategy he suggests is the best way, unless you can find one in a nearby store. I was a little concerned about the neck proportions, but my main acoustic has a 1 7/8" nut so I didn't think it would be an issue with the 650, and it wasn't. In fact, I have more trouble with skinny necks, despite having small hands.

I played a 650D when they were relatively new and it had a neck like a baseball bat. The 650C I bought this year ('04) is much slimmer and very comfortable. Neck width and thickness (front to back) are a personal preference. I don't like the narrower necks. I don't want them too thick or too thin.

I just bought a new 650D last week & while the neck is wide, it is comfy enough & bends the blues like nobody's business! Stringbending is easier than on my American Strat! I love it.

Mark