Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was wondering if anyone out there played the 380L with the piezo pickups? I'm curious to know how it is....

Go to www.rickbeat.com

Click "Sounds and Specials" on the left side

Then scroll down to "Dave Wiggins."

There is a .mp3 audio file there of the 380 in piezo mode.

Enjoy!

I'm really sorry I heard that clip...MY GOD!!...I will be in tortured pain from now until I get my hands on one as I have one on order. I have never heard one before and that is one of the drawbacks of ordering something you haven't test driven. But, from the sound of this guitar I think I made a good choice. That thing sent chills up and down my spine...Just BEAUTIFULL!!!

Yeah- I ordered one over a week ago, just cuz I wanted to try it out. Not one guitar joint stocks those. You always see 360s and 330s. I heard it too, now that 5 months is gonna be painful..

Hmmm...Who did you order your's from, Webhead? I ordered mine March 16th from Mike Parks but the original order dated back to August 5, 2002. However, I notice that my order has been changed to one that was ordered in July of '02. I hope that my order placed would take less than 5 months as it has been almost 3 months now. But, if it does take 5 months I'm prepared to wait for that long.

Michael, that 380 was actually ordered by Mike in May 2002 (the dates are American) I put my name down for a September one in January but decided to go for the long haul on an accoustic. I don't believe any 380's have been made for well over a year, at least well before March 2002 as I have seen posting in forums from guys that gave up as long ago as March 2002. That said, Mike was pretty sure they would be produced well before my accoustic will come. Who knows, if all the 380's arrive at once and I see some guys raving about theirs I just might get tempted. Keep us posted

Sorry to have caused you guys so much pleasurable grief! Listen and weep!

Not to mention the striking appearance of this instrument either.

Does anybodyhave sound clips of the buckers? How does it compare to, say, a 650 series?

Does anybodyhave sound clips of the buckers? How does it compare to, say, a 650 series?

I don't want to cause any further pain to anyone but I have to tell you that I had a 380L piezo produced with full gloss finish and it now resides in my studio. (Okay, it had crack in the wood making it unsaleable but I couldn't bear to just cut this one up like we usually do.)

We just laid down some tracks last weekend with it and all I can say is WOW! It's got the sound I've always been looking for. That and the 381JK that I just took to the studio . . . well, that's another story too.

The humbuckers are the same as the 650 but the body warms it all up a bit further.

John: Based on your experience with this full gloss finish, have you considered making this finish an option for the Model 380L at some point?

I write on guitar and keyboard but am really a bass player so I have limited knowledge about standard guitars. I have been reading here about the 650D model and I have played a 380L unamplified. With both having humbuckers, how do they sound one versus the other? I like the look of the 380L, and was wondering how it sounds as a lead instrument.

I have a 650(A) and love it. It's a fine lead guitar. However, I think I prefer the guitar/player interaction better on my semi-hollowbody Rics. The size is key too.
Either would work fine, but if I had to choose one or the other for a primary 'lead' guitar, I would go for the 380L. I think you'll be able to cop most any tone a 650 can make with the Laguna and still have unexplored territory. I can't imagine it being the other way 'round.
Both are great though.
Cheers, Noel

Thanks for your input Noel. Since I'm not really a guitar player it sounds like the 380L might be the better choice for my needs. Beyond writing, I mostly want to be able to demonstrate to real guitar players how I want something to sound for my songs, including the tone of a lead guitar part I might have in my head. Unamplified the 380L I played sounded wonderful.