330/12 Unplugged sound

[DavidRickNC]

Hello to everyone! After many years of Martin acoustic playing, I just got my first Rickenbacker, a gorgeous 330/12 in Fireglo. After holding and admiring it for about 10 minutes, I tuned it up and started playing. I haven't got an amp right now so I'm "limited" to playing unplugged. The raw, unplugged acoustic sound of this guitar is, to my ear, the best acoustic 12 I've ever heard! I just wish it was louder! Being an electric newbie, is there an amp that will increase the volume but keep the acoustic tone? Also, do a lot of you play your Rickenbackers unplugged? I am enjoying reading these forums and look foward to more.

Thanks, David

[jps]

Welcome David! I can't give you much advise on what amp might keep the acoustic tone of your 330/12 as most players want the electric tone these produce, but I do play one of my Ricks unplugged!

[rickenmetal]

I used to, but I think I play better if I can hear what I am playing, and I also use distortion a lot (sometimes other effects).

If you want an acoustic sound I guess you should look into an acoustic transducer and put it somewhere on the soundboard, or perhaps try some kind of microphone. There are also bridge transducers, but in my opinion the sound is too trebly and not a good representation of the acoustic sound. However, you could just get a cheap amp and play it with the normal pickups. Transistors are fine if you don't use distortion. But get a real one with a wooden cabinet, the small plastic amps color the sound in a funny way, which is also interesting if you want that kind of effect, but it will not sound "clean". A cheap one with a real reverb tank might go very well with your 12 string.

[captsandwich]

I hardly ever plug either of my 330's in around the house. I love the sound of them acoustic. The first time I ever plugged in my 330/12 was doing setup for a gig a few days after I bought it, when I had been playing in for at least 2 hrs a day prior to the gig.

[bails]

I too love playing my 330/12 unplugged, but unfortunately I do not think there is an amp that will maintain the lovely acoustic sound when the guitar is plugged in. The pickups unavoidably make the guitar sound like an electric guitar (exactly as they're supposed to do) and I don't think you can change this with any type of amp.

What may be possible, however is to use an acoustic pick-up, similar to the Rickenbacker 380L-PZ, which included an piezo pick-up in addition to the normal electric pick-ups.

[DavidRickNC]

Thanks for all the replies. It's nice to be able to play acoustically even with the low volume. I'm looking foward to plugging it in and playing along with my McGuinn video. Merry Christmas everyone! David

[rickenmetal]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[jps]

Merry christmas!

[wittyair]

Merry Christmas to all!!
David....I play my 330/12 unplugged all the time as well, especially when I've just got a few minutes. It's just another one of the great benefits of these gorgeous instruments. I had a little solid state amp when I got the Ric and have since obtained a reissue Fender Deluxe reverb. Absolutely killer sound for that Ric. I cant imagine any other amp making any better sound.

[ozover50]

Unplugged Ricks sound best when played in the bathroom.......... even my 1997!!

[jps]

One of your finer moments, Aitch?

[goofyfoot]

Yep, I like to play it unplugged as soon as I can find more open seas.



But seriously, folks, it's a great "couch" guitar unplugged. Regards....Goofyfoot.

[DavidRickNC]

An update on my 330/12 acoustically. I purchased a Vox DA5 practice amp to fool around with in my den. This is not an arena sound system by any means, but it is a pretty amazing little amp for the money. Using the compressor setting, adjusting the tone, and playing with the bridge pickup produces a pretty good Byrds/Beatles sound. Now the interesting part: using the neck pickup with just a little bit of volume produces a fairly good amplified acoustic tone. Cool to be able to play classic folk-rock and acoustic folk on the same guitar with a slight adjustment! I've also discovered that my hands and fingers must be at the absolute large edge of the envelope for playing on the narrow Rick neck. If I take my time and finger with precision, it sounds great. If I play sloppy, it sounds sloppy! Rickenbackers truly make you pay attention to what you're doing!

[goofyfoot]

If I take my time and finger with precision, it sounds great. If I play sloppy, it sounds sloppy! Rickenbackers truly make you pay attention to what you're doing!

Cogent point, David.

Best regards....Sloppy.