Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Another addition.....





A little bit of neck tweaking (slight underbow) and intonation required, but..........

The humbuckers sound great through the AC-30CC1 (with a 'goodly' amount of overdrive) or the Roland JC-120 with distortion set at about half level.

Most 'unRickenbacker' like sound wise, but boy, does it look cool!!

Nice catch! Is that the one you were telling me available locally?

Yes it is, Ron. I managed to turn the screws a bit and got another $100 off it (it was a dealer sale on eBay), so it worked out almost exactly the same cost as yours would have been.

A Sierra would have been a bit nicer, but I'm more than happy with this one.

Only problem is, everytime I look at the neck I think Fender! I'm not used to the light-coloured fingerboard on a Rick - yet!!

Howard, you are incredible. Pretty soon you'll be able to charge admission to your one-of-everything Ric collection to any wannabe owners who want to try before they buy.

But seriously, even though I'm not a huge fan of humbuckers I've been toying with the idea of ordering a 650 after my 620s finally arrive, just to expand the sounds in my own meagre (by comparison!) guitar collection. So I'm curious to hear your opinions on the sound and how it compares to single coil Rics & Fenders, and other Gibson-style humbucker equipped guitars. I've never played a 650 but my guess is that it falls somewhere in the middle of these.

Very cool, Aitch.... I think you have a case of Ric addiction in a very bad way.... Sure looks great!

How many Rics do you have now?

Do you have a favorite?

I have eight now, Melissa. AND THAT WILL DO!! I have a 360/6 FG on order, so that will pretty much cover it!

The 360V64 is definitely my numero uno! The 660/12 would be next. The others would all be equal after that (perhaps the 620 TQ might just be a tad ahead because of the superb neck and 'feel').

I haven't spent enough time with the new baby yet, but once I sort out a couple of minor issues, I'm sure it will rate with the rest.

Carl: At this stage, without a lot of experimenting, I'd put the sound very close to my Gibson ES-335 and SG - very 'growly' if that's the way you want it, but can be quite 'clean'. The AM DLX Strat is totally 'Strat' with the S1 switching out, but much closer to the Rick and Gibbys with it in.

The humbuckers on the 650D seem to have a much higher output than hi-gains or even vintage pups.

Howard... Perhaps you haven't heard the quote...

"How many guitars do you need?
Just one more..."

Or maybe you have!
Good get! Congratulations!

I agree with your supposition Howard, you definitely need therapy. LOL

Great catch. I am a fan of maple necks. Nearly all of my favorite Strats have maple necks. No doubt you will get used to it in a hurry.

I hadn't heard the quote, Steve, but it seems to "fit" with me. As I said, this will do, but who knows what '06 will bring! Thanks for the congrats!

Brian: Thank you! No doubt I will, but the more I play it, the more I've got the "blues".

Back to the instructional manuals and CDs!

I am "one sick puppy"...............

Howard, welcome to the 650 club. I would be interested to here your take on the wider neck. It is a must for me. Guitars for you is like having a beer, just one, after another....LOL.

Congrats on another one Howard. At your rate of acquisition there will no longer be a shortage of Rics in Oz!

You may be "one sick puppy..." but this puppy is most green (turquoise?) with envy! Well done. And in such a very short period of time, too.

...Dean

Howard, I loaded this MP3 just for you.
Go here:
http://www.myspace.com/noelchristianriddell

The main guitar passage is a 650A/VT. You'll be knocked out by how quiet the Ric HB1s are in the studio. I think this song (the first one in the queue) demonstrates an admirable quality of the 650 line: a sound which is dirty and powerful but remains articulate and ultimately beautiful.
Enough hyperbole!
Leads were played on a 1997SPC/VB.

At your rate of acquisition there will no longer be a shortage of Rics in Oz!

Correct, Dean - only a shortage of money!!

Very cool, Noel. Nice use of the vibrato arm too!! Thank you.....

Howard needs therapy?????
Correct me if i'm wrong, but, isn't therapy for curing a problem??
I just can't see a problem! But i do wish i could afford the same disease!!!

Hahahaha! We'll see if it's contagious on the 30th, my friend! Really looking forward to it, Greg. Ricks and picks.... bring all your favourites!!