Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hello people, i have a 4003 but have recently had the urge to play guitar.i bought a beater for a100 bucks to see if i really want to do this. but if it works and i am any good i may consider a good guitar

no one really stocks rics in my area . i was looking at the catalog for them and came across the 620 whick looks a little odd but is the only solid body they sell.

anyone have one of these ? how are they?

the 330 325 and 360 seems to be the normal rics.

i play mostly hard/classic rock to heavy metal is ric the way to for that style or should i just pedal out a strat?

I play mostly hollowbodies: 381s 360s and the like.
For amps I use Orange or Vox.
Style wise, I'm usually looking to the MC5, Stooges, Zep,
Blue Cheer... burn out stuff....
You can get very good overdrive from a Rick; it's a matter
of how you play your amp.

I find that the hollow ricks give more body to the tone.
The solids have a great high end; just not quite the sound I'm after...

i hear ya about the amps john. i use ampeg with my 4003 and get some amazing tones out of it.

right now i got a stupid deal on a fender princeton chorus so i am going with that until i see if i progress with the guitar.

RIC makes another solid body guitar in the form of the 660, which is basically the same shape as a 620. Different inlays, neck geometry, binding, and pickups. I love my 660/12 - super comfortable, very small body. You could get a Strat but rarely if ever will you hear "Wow look! That's a Fender Stratocaster!"

The 650 is a nice one too. A bit wider neck to boot.

Christopher, make sure you search the archives for previous postings; I think I remember at least one in which that style of music is discussed with regard to RIC guitars (in the context "yes, that kind of music can be played on a Rickenbacker" if I remember correctly). There may be another that discusses amps - in the context "don't get a clean Fender amp and expect to get a dirty Marshall sound out of it".

i was looking through the old posts earlier gary and didnt see anything related.ll try again

J oliver-- i hear that. any time i used a P bass at a jam no one ever said anything. i have even brought pre cbs p basses

i take out my ric 4003 and all eyes are on it and i usually hear WOW! a rickenbacker. i usually just smile and plug in

I might be thinking of a much earlier thread that was on the old server, so if you don't find any, that might be the reason.

Chris you might consider looking for a 350 Liverpool model. I have one and it is good for blues, hard rock etc. I can make it emulate a Gibson in a heartbeat, but it really has its own unique sound. If you add a pedal or two into the mix you can virtually play anything.

Chris, I play reasonably heavy rock with my 330/360's & they are superb. If you lean towards metal, then a 650 with its humbuckers would be worth checking out. If it is more rock, then a 330/360/620 would do it. I also use a 350V63, but have swapped the bridge toaster for a hi gain. I would also urge you to consider three pick up models for rock (I have added a third pick up to all of my 6 strings, as 340/370 are nigh on impossible to find in the UK). The middle pick up undoubtedly adds to the 'focus' of a rock sound, adding a little more mid & bottom end, which helps to tighten the overall tone, particularly good for OD.

For playing rock, you really need to avoid anything but the most powerful toasters & I would reccomend hi-gains. The 7.4 toasters are OK clean, but really do tend to get a little scratchy when you pile on the OD. Brians call for a 350 is a good one, with it's three hi-gains & small hollow body, it would be a great rock gtr. I use a Marshall 100w valve head & 4x12 cabs & IMO, that & a Ric is a match made in heaven!

You forgot the fireglo, Tony...

.

I think that it goes without saying Paul, that fireglo gtrs always sound better....

My local dealer just got a 350 JG.

Paul: Thanks for your period post above. Perhaps a way for me to catch up.