Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In a random article I found on Google (just food for thought), it basically said that Rickenbacker guitars, in comparison to other major brands of guitar, do not play well and are mainly purchased because of the sound.

Obviously we are all fans of Rickenbacker or else we wouldn't be on the forum but I'd like opinions on how your Rickenbacker compares to other guitars that you've played. In media reviews etc. the sound is always discussed but the playability of the guitars is mentioned less frequently.

Are there forum members who find Rickenbackers more uncomfortable to play than other guitars but put up with it because they can get the sound they want instead?


Speaking for myself, I have only played a 620 and found the neck to be rather large for my feminine paws and so far have found the standard Strat 'C' shape to be the best fit for me out of the guitars I've played.

IMHO...You have to get used to playing a Ric...and when you do, you're hooked.
I know people who say they hate the necks and blah blah blah...but they don't OWN one...and as far as the sound, for what I want, it is THE guitar to have...a correct set up is the key to loving to play a Ric.
I could not even THINK of being without a Ric 6 and a 12.

I don't know what article it was you found, but I can't agree with the descripition 'they don't play well' in comparison to other makes. They may have a different fit or feel to other makes, but they play fine. No doubt their sound is distinctive, and the short scales might be difficult for some, but they're some of the best guitars made. I can say this about a few other makes as well, but I don't put them any further ahead of a Rick.

This is all soooo subjective, that if everyone on this Forum had the time to post a really detailed description of their own "take" in Rick playability, you would get very few identical responses.

Not to mention that, until very recently, Rick necks (which, BTW, are only ONE factor in the "playability" equation) had quite a bit of variation in cross-sectional shape as well as dimension; as little as 1/16" in variance in depth (thickness) or the cross-sectional curve, makes a HUGE difference in "feel"...

If you want a neck that suits your small hands, you'll have to do some hands-on research, but necks of the '60s are to die for. Unfortunately, they are on pricey guitars, for the most part (although I've got a few $5-600 Ricks from the '60s with lovely, slim necks to match a high-dollar Capri).

The only way to qualify this is by personal, hands-on experience.

Im with Jeff on this one its a matter of playing and getting used to the instrument.I had a 330 FG that i just didnt like and got rid of it.I just never clicked with that guitar and its as simple as that.As far as the sound goes i dont try to make the guitar sound like anyone or anything other than what it is.After ditching the 330 i had a few years of gibsons and teles which looking back was ok until i stumbled on to the RRF.Went out and bought another330 that i like instantly and fell in love with Rickenbacker.As far as the size and feel of the neck its all matter of adjustment and IMHO its nothing to even worry about.I would say that if you felt that the 620 was rather large maybe you should give a few 330s and 360s a play before you buy! Steven as with the UK at the moment standard Rickenbacker's are not the cheapest guitars for sale.

Dont worry about it what i would say is try before you buy!
P.S.the neck on my 620 is quite fat and D shaped but i dont even register it when im playing.

My 660/12 is very playable, and I like it a lot. People who think Rics are only good for chord work or aren't that playable are full of it, and are used to Fender and Gibson, and think that they are the do-all be-alls of the guitar world. Rics are by far my favorite guitar brand, and while I like Fender, Gibson and Gretsch, too, I think that Rics are the best guitars out there. Though I've only played two standard 360s (one in 12-string and one in 6-string), a 325 and the 660/12 for Rics in my entire life (which isn't much), they KICK BUTT!!!

Rics are a versatile guitar, depending on the model. Versatility is a key factor for a guitar, I think, and if a Ric is versatile, MAKE IT ROCK (twang, sing the blues, jingle-jangle or whatever you want it to do)!!! With the right effects pedals, a Ric is by far the best guitar.

Some of the best artists in Rock and Roll have used Rics guitars, they found them playable, didn't they?

It's all in what you are used to playing, IMHO. I started out with Les Pauls, went to 2 60s Ricks, to a couple of Mosrites, and blah blah blah. It wasn't untill recently that I could pick up a Strat and wonder what was so great about the way they played. The point I'm trying to make, is that all guitars feel different, and you may not be able to play other brands as proficiently as your current untill you have had the chance to really get to know it.

Having said that, 12 string Ricks can be a bit of a booger.

whojamfan wrote: Having said that, 12 string Ricks can be a bit of a booger.

Here have mine(actually werent we talking about this the other night????) how weird!

Hmmm...shouldn't you be changing your screen name to "Snotty"?

I know you are reading this on the internet, but don't believe what you read on the internet.

I never really intended on buying a Rickenbacker. I picked up a 330 in a shop one day because I had never really noticed one in that colour scheme before (MG/BT) and thought it looked pretty cool. I strummed a couple of chords. "Holy ****!" I thought to myself, "this feels GREAT!" I spent the next 45 minutes just sitting there playing it, not even plugged in. I was late getting back to work after my lunch break because I just could not put it down. I spent the next 6 weeks plotting how I was going to convince my wife that I needed a new guitar, all the while watching anxiously online to make sure it didn't sell. The first time I plugged it in was the day I managed to steer my wife into the shop while we were out for a walk. The only reason I plugged it in was to make sure everything worked before I walked home with it.
I think they play pretty well.

Clint wrote:I know you are reading this on the internet, but don't believe what you read on the internet.

So... should I believe this... or not?

tennis_nick wrote:

Clint wrote:I know you are reading this on the internet, but don't believe what you read on the internet.

So... should I believe this... or not?

I dont even know if im here where the hell are we? The truth is out there............

like any guitar some people like it and some don't. i am not big fan of les paul guitars beside recording ...and most les paul players say that it is sick instrument. almost all my friends that used to play tele play ric of some kind now after trying one of mine. go figure. and yes i find 1995-2000 rics less playable than 1989-1994 or recent, it doesn't mean i don't own some. i just find them less playable.

I own a few different brands of guitars. I think Ricks play great. My Gretsch Silver Jet is a bit easier to do monster bends on, but that's because I had it refretted with jumbo frets. I'm sure if I had a Rick refretted with jumbo frets it would play that way as well.