Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all,

So heres the deal. At the start of the year I purchased a brand new mapleglo 360 (this was to be my first ever electric guitar that I've owned, I have played a number of others) from Elderly. I had the guitar shipped to a friend in the US (I live in Oz) and he brought the guitar back with him. It was a long wait, and in the meantime to tide me over until the 360 came, I bought another guitar, a Reverend Slingshot Custom. This guitar is awesome, and I figured the p90 sounds would be a nice contrast to the 360.

So, the 360 finally arrived yesterday. Its a lovely looking guitar to be sure, but I'm just not sure if I love the thing. I've not had that much time to play it, so please convince me I've made the right decision with this guitar. I want to love it.

The things that dont seem to do it for me are:

The jangle, I actually thought it would have more (It has hi-gains tho)its sounds nice, just not 'Amazing', not that unique.

The fittings: Compared to the Reverend, all the knobs feel kind of cheap and flimsy. I know they're made from plastic, but they feel cheap. They dont turn that 'tight' or smoothly either. The pickup selector feels odd as well, is it supposed to be springy feeling? or click into position, 1,2,3...

Whats up with the rubber/foam under the pickups?

I guess these are the only things, I like the feel of the neck, it plays well. It just didnt blow my mind the way I thought it would.

maybe I'm insane?

Hi Simon,
What kind of amp are you using with your new Ricky?

Hey Mitch, I've got a Tech 21 Trademark 10, Which I'm quite happy with. I put it on the British Speaker and UK amp setting of course.

I have a 360-6 w/highgains and 335-6 w/toasters and neither has natural "jangle". I can coax it out of both with compression and amp knob twisting, but I think most jangle comes from the 12 strings. Sometimes I think my Epi Dot has more jangle than my Ricks, but the sound of the Dot can be somewhat less sophisticated to my ears (which I sometimes prefer).

So fiddle around with it some more -- the good thing is that if you sell it and buy a 12 string, you probably could come close to even, money-wise.

Simon, sounds like you're too used to conventional guitars...Ricks are a bit unconventional.

High-gains are great, powerful pickups (although not as middy as the P-90s, much more balanced!). But when I think "jangle", I think "toasters".

The rubber under the pups is a really good way to cut down on acoustic feedback. It isolates the pups from the top and inside vibrations. The pup selector is SUPPOSED to feel like that. The knobs may be plastic, but they control high-quality pots.

You can get some jangle from high-gains, of course, if you work with your amp settings a bit, but like I said, toasters are the way to go.

Simon, the jangle certainly doesn't come naturally. It really depends on the amp, as well as having the right amount of compression, treble, etc.

If you're into the Byrds/Beatles type Rickenbacker tones, I suggest getting a Janglebox, which is a combination compressor/treble booster. I bought it to use with my Rick 12 specifically, but I use it with all my guitars now. It's a wonderful little box!

If your amp is dialed in for your Reverend, perhaps you need to dial it in for the Ric specifically...

My gear is all tweaked for hollow and semi-hollowbody guitars. Sometimes plugging a plankbanger in leads to some ugly sounds, particularly in the EQ dept.

And I would like to offer my services to you. The Noel Riddell Home For Wayward Rics is always open. If you need some time apart, send it my way.

Best of luck. The 360 is a fine instrument. Just ask Peter Buck.

Noel

Toasters will definitely make a difference......



A Janglebox... now that will really make a difference!!

Whereabouts in Oz are you, Simon?

Hi guys, thanks for the comments.

So, I could get a janglebox for $215 or two toasters for $200. Wouldnt the latter be a better option?

Ok, so maybe it doesnt matter too much about the jangle.

But, what else 'should' I be lovin'?

I'm in Melbourne Howard.

want to buy a 360 for say, $400?

Aitch, looks like you're gonna have to show Simon a jangle or two...

And then it'll be time for a BEEYAH.

Hi Simon,I used to have a Tech 21 TM 10 also and while I found it to be the perfect amp for my Gibson Melody Maker and Fender Duo-Sonic I could not find a satifactory sound with my Ricks.The solution for me was a Vox.First I got a Pathfinder 10 but now I have an AD30VT.What a huge difference it has made.I have had Ricks with HiGains and Toasters and I think you can get either to jangle with the the right amp and setup.

Dead right, Mitch! My AC-30 is worlds away from my little Roland Cube 30.

The ac-30 is also worlds away in price though too.

You can get the AD30VT for less than $239 or an AD15VT for about $149.You could even get a Pathfinder 10 for about $79.