Explain Different Rics & Pickups ?

[Ric_MEL]

Hi Everyone,

I'm brand spankin new to the Ric forum. I have a Tele, and because our old guy garage band covers a lot of Tom Petty, I feel myself being pulled by the gravitational force - toward getting a Ric. I found this forum . and it looks to be a great place. as is the TDPRI !

If someone can give me a brief overview of the different pickups. or even models - or perhaps a FAQ on this.- that would be great.

I see by looking at the Rickenbacker site - models page --

They use a:
" Hi-Gain " pickup spec on: 330, 330/12, 360, 360/12, 620 and 620/12.
" Vintage Reissue on the : 660

and then
" Vintage Single Coil Toaster " on: the 660/12. and looks like special vintage reissues.. ( 325C58JG, type of thing )

Any guidance appreciated.. and hopefully Santa will bring my Ed McMahon award price for Christmas - to help with the Ric fund.
Without ever having touched a Ric ( any model ) .. I seem to be gravitating to the solid body: 620 ( or ? 660) .. and also don't know if I should be thinking 6 string.. for more flexibility.. or 12 string ( or if 12 string is too specialized for someone who can't get 3 of these things... )

Thanks!
MEL

[JakeK]

Welcome, Mark! You'll find a lot of people willing to help you with your problem.

There are many different Rics, I'll cover the current production models:

Standard series hollow bodies, equipped with 24 fret necks and hi-gain pickups:
330
330/12
360
360/12
370/12

Standard series solid bodies, equipped with neck-thru-body construction, 21 fret necks, and high gain pickups
620
620/12
660*
660/12*

*equipped with Vintage Reissue Toaster pickups

Standard Series basses:
4003
4004

Vintage Series: based on the models from the 60s, although not to exact specifications
350V63
381V69
381/12V69

The C Series (no one knows what the C stands for): exact specifications of guitars used by (at the moment) the Beatles
325C58
325C64
360/12C63
4001C64 bass
4001C64S bass

If you're going to go for a Ric, I say you look no further than a hollowbody. A Ric hollowbody is a classic sound that cannot be beaten!

[ken_j]

Welcome to the forum Mark. I would think you would want a Rick with toasters to do Petty. They have that vintage jangle. I like semi hollows, but don't discount a solid body. A 660 is the same basic model as a Tom Petty signature. The high gain is a more aggressive pickup. The foot print of all Rick pickups is the same so you can always swap them out without modding the guitar.

[Clint]

If the Telecaster is your benchmark for tone, you'll be most comfortable with the 620 or the 660. If you're looking for something else, try a 330 or 360. Don't count out a Ric 12 string. They are much more versatile than most people believe.

[modrock]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the fourm !
I like the vintage toasters, probably because I've never liked the high gains for most of the 60s songs I do. I too am an older guy playing oldies: Beatles, Byrds, Searchers, Turtles. I think Tom Petty is one of the coolest Rick players out there. Yeah, I know he switches between a Tele and a Rick, but I seem to remember him playing an OS ( old style ) 360 ( like the 360/12V64 that George Harrison played ) at half time on last year's Super Bowl. Anway, I play a 360/12V64 and a 355JL ( John Lennon Limited Editon with toaster pups and full scale rather than the 3/4 scale Lennon actually played )
I also play an older Les Paul with humbuckers and find myself fidling with the volume control on my amp when I switch from one guitar to the next ( I put a Seymour Duncan high-output in the bridge on the Les Paul )
I guess it's a matter of preference, but if you're looking for the Petty sound, I'd go with the toaster pups !

Gary in SF North Bay Area

[jdogric12]

The C Series (no one knows what the C stands for)

Untrue.

[jimk]

The C Series (no one knows what the C stands for)

Untrue.

Ah yes! Some one does. And Some one has a lot of fun keeping his secret, doesn't he????

JimK

[cjj]

Oh, it's not just his secret. There are a few others who know as well...

[octagon]

Oh, it's not just his secret. There are a few others who know as well...

This guy knows,but he ain't talkin.

[Ric_MEL]

Um.... OK.... Is this like the Freemasons... a secret world ?

[cjj]

Uh, yeah, but it's a LOT more secret...

[Ric_MEL]

alas.. until I own my Ric .. and learn the handshake... the secrets will remain ... secret

triangular_clock.jpg (8.97 KiB) Viewed 2153 times

[cjj]

Oh, it'll likely remain secret even after you own a Rick...

[sir_andrew_of_left_coast]

...or perhaps a FAQ on this.- that would be great.

It's still up!

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/guitars/rickenbacker/

See FAQ: 5.11 for the CEO's answer (construction-wise, anyway).

New Hi-Gains (referred to as "modern" in the FAQ) are a little different now, though... screws (adjustable pole pieces), instead of fixed rubber buttons.

[Ric_MEL]

Hey Sir Andrew,

Thanks! Nice FAQ.. I like to try and learn about prospective Gear.. especially since I'll be reading about Rics for some time.. , way more than playing one!

MEL