Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I tend to prefer the 21-fret Rickenbackers, but I can't really give a reason for the preference. Perhaps it's a more "Vintage look", or it may be that the pickups are more visually and/or sonically appealing because they're spaced farther apart.

It would be nice to hear other opinions regarding the 21-fretters.

Some of the appeal is visual, for others the construction of the guitars built during the era when the guitars were build with 21 frets, still others the placement of the neck pickup is considered sonically superior. For some folks it's a combination of everything I've listed, along with other things I've omitted, no doubt. Personally, I don't care, so long as the Rickenbacker (at least with respect to guitars)is a double bound model!

I like the 21 fret Rickenbackers as the harmonic is over the neck pickup and is a bit of a sweet spot to my ear. Having said that I also thoroughly enjoy the tone and look of my 24 fret 350, so there you go.

Well, I like the 21 fret scheme because all the short scale models come with 'em. They'd look silly with 24 frets. But my 430 has 24 and that's cool, too. Also, it has a very flat board, which is different for me, but it works. It's not like I have a fetish for either one, or anything else, for that matter, except the feel and tone of an individual instrument. I'm just very pragmatic about styling.

I haven't tried a full scale 21 yet, but I believe there is something to the "sweet spot" aspect. Someone with a good eye might want to comment on visual balance and proportion.

My main go-to six-string guitar is my 1981 21-fret 460 BG. My main go-to twelve-string guitar is my 1989 21-fret 370/12RM FG. That said, I really don't have any problem with the 24-models I own. So, I really don't have a good reason for prefering the 21-fretters.

Because a 24 fret Ric has 3 frets too many. (!)


Seriously, a 24 fret neck Ric is like an otherwise hot babe with a huge forehead (or some other characteristic that can be a total deal-breaker).

collin wrote:Because a 24 fret Ric has 3 frets too many. (!)


Seriously, a 24 fret neck Ric is like an otherwise hot babe with a huge forehead (or some other characteristic that can be a total deal-breaker).

Dale cut three frets worth of neck length from one of my guitars; I didn't even know that was possible.

paologregorio wrote:

collin wrote:Because a 24 fret Ric has 3 frets too many. (!)


Seriously, a 24 fret neck Ric is like an otherwise hot babe with a huge forehead (or some other characteristic that can be a total deal-breaker).

Dale cut three frets worth of neck length from one of my guitars; I didn't even know that was possible.

That's some serious cosmetic surgery. Welcome to the dark side, my man....I think you're gonna like the 21 fretters now!

Dale is a magician, I swear....

admin wrote:I like the 21 fret Rickenbackers as the harmonic is over the neck pickup and is a bit of a sweet spot to my ear. Having said that I also thoroughly enjoy the tone and look of my 24 fret 350, so there you go.

Doesn't that "node" move as soon as you fret a string?

However, you will get a different sound when the pickup is further down towards the nut (24 vs 21 frets), but I don't think that 24th harmonic has as much to do with it as people think it does.

To me the 21 fret models are just more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The guitar just looks right, to me anyway.

And does anyone actually use these extra frets?
I currently don't own any 24 fret models ,i did have a 330 once though.
I would love Rickenbacker to go with the 21 frets, they've already went with the FWI and small headstock,
so this would be the icing on the cake! But i'm not holding my breath for it .

admin wrote:I like the 21 fret Rickenbackers as the harmonic is over the neck pickup and is a bit of a sweet spot to my ear.

jch wrote:To me the 21 fret models are just more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The guitar just looks right, to me anyway.

I'll echo both of those comments.

I use the 22nd fret much more than the 24th, but I'll use the 24th fret on occasion for effect as well. the ease of access to the upper frets on a Rick overall is a great feature of the guitar.

It looks like I was on the mark in my initial comments wrt those members who prefer 21 frets.

jch wrote:... And does anyone actually use these extra frets? ...

There is another thread, a 'my first Rickenbacker' type IIRC, in which the player stated that there were notes he could not play on the 21-fret Rickenbacker that he bought.

Everyone knows that 21 fretters get all the girls!

jps wrote:Everyone knows that 21 fretters get all the girls!

Oh good! I can't wait until my Blue Boy WB arrives in September then; it's now a 21 fret model.