Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I thought I'd take the opportunity to use my 360th post on this lovely forum to talk a bit about my new 360 - my first Rickenbacker (and incidentally, my first electric guitar) ever. Honestly, I wasn't sure how I was going to use this guitar. I grew up on heavy doses of Bob Dylan, the Beatles, CSN (and sometimes Y), and Joni Mitchell with a healthy dose of prog rock - King Crimson, Yes, ELP, etc. Through this time, I played acoustic guitars almost exclusively. Hitting my early 20s (in the 1980s), I dived into Irish folk music and fusion bands in that genre - The Dubliners, the Clancy Brothers, Christy Moore, Planxty, Pogues, Spirit of the West, Bothy Band, Silly Wizard. I also started listening to and playing a lot of American and Canadian folk/country/folk rock - Woody Guthrie, Stan Rogers, Bruce Cockburn, Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Cash. It was at that time that I picked up the bouzouki, the mandolin, and the bodhran.

When I ordered my 360, I wasn't sure how it was going to fit in with what I write and play. Frankly, I'm still not sure but I do know that its versatility will make it a standard in my musical repertoire. I cannot believe how different this guitar can sound from song to song and in every situation, it just shines. It has a great plucky, almost twangy tone if I want it to and then has a lovely dirty, tight crunch. I have a hard time getting a bad tone out of the thing! When I'm playing with other people (mind you, I don't play with drums and basses), the guitar sings through the mix, in a nice benevolent way-no crassness or obnoxious side to it. Whether I'm finger-picking in an open tuning or picking hard on a lead, it is consistently there, responding the way I want it to. The sound is absolutely magnificent and - being a newbie to Rickenbackers - almost distracting to me (i.e., I want to stop playing so that I can listen to it but of course, if I do ... well, you know).

And, it plays like a dream. Having played acoustic instruments for two decades, I am amazed at how fast, sleek, ad effortless the neck is. I'm accustomed to playing very fast jigs and reels on the bouzouki and mandolin but when playing the Rick, my fingers get ahead of my brain. They seem to slide up and down the neck on their own and the playing is effortless. I have been having muscular problems in my forearms for the last couple of years (they ache after I play a good session and generally cause me discomfort) but when I play this guitar, it's a cakewalk- it seems my forearms are on holidays!

I know I'm singing to the choir here but honestly, I am so very pleased with this instrument. I am looking forward to getting to know it better and to many years of happy playing. My only reservation is that I fear the gates might be opened- ye olde GAS/RAS.

I want to thank everybody on this forum for their patient support, their knowledgeable insight, and their passion for these superb instruments. You have helped me a great deal in navigating my way through this new world and have helped introduce me to a whole new dynamic in musical play.

Bill...what a great post...congratulations on both of your recently acquired/attained 360's...

Sounds like you've come 'full circle'...

Bill,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. You have a very relaxed communication style. I only hope your students enjoy their classes half as much as I enjoyed the peek into your musical career.

BTW I have two 360's. A 360/12 WB and a 360V64 both in JG. I just love playing both of these beautiful guitars. I find myself in total agreement with your observation as they are indeed, effortless to play.

Excellent post, Bill! It seems your wait was with not without a fair amount of trepidation. It's lovely to hear another account of complete satisfaction and happiness. Be wary of the side-effect though.... it's great that you recognise the symptoms!



Continue to enjoy!!

Aitch

Howdy,

Congrats on your new 360, Bill! Rickenbackers are more versatile than thier reputaion. As you've discovered, they're well made, great sounding and they look so cool.

Eggman

Congrats, Bill....

You have just experienced the power of Rickenbackers.... Now you will be a Rickaholic for the rest of your life!

I don't know that my wait had a fair amount of trepidation Howard. I was curious and excited, and I knew I'd love the guitar when it came. I just wasn't sure exactly how I'd actually use it in the various formats I play (i.e., solo, Irish traditional duet, and a contemporary, "all over the musical" trio). I'm still not sure how I will, exactly, though every single day is already bringing new ideas! What I enjoy most about it is that I've felt like I've plateau'd in playing over the last couple of years. Sure, I could learn more tunes from a certain artist or I could write more songs in the same vein that I have been but ultimately, I was starting to feel that it was a lot of the same old thing over and over again. I think (though I'm still in the first flushes of the Rickenbacker and the electric in general), that this will be all thrown on its head over the coming years. More than anything, I hate to be stagnant and I think this is the ticket to freshness again-musically at least. To me, it's a new way of looking at playing again which is something I haven't felt in a long time. I feel like - who's kidding who, a kid with a beautiful new electric guitar!!!