Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Folks,

I have a 360/12 which I wouldn't trade for anything. I love the feel, I love the sleek and slender neck. I get goosebumps when I play with her. And I always smoke a cigarette afterward.

I've never played a Ric 6 string. But I have a Strat, Gretsch 6119 and other 6 string electrics. I play the Strat more than the Gretsch. I like the Gretsch and it's tone is very cool. And it plays easy enough. And frankly, folks do oogle over the Gretsch more than they do the Strat and others.

But......all of a sudden I have a hankerin' to trade off the Gretsch for a Ric 360/6. Or heck, just about any Ric 6.

So I hope this isn't too silly of a question/request.

Could anyone who is in the position to do so, post their thoughts on playing a Ric/6 vs. other make and model six poppers?

Thanks,


Chap

Hey Chap,
I can chime in here. For several months, there was a 370/6 on consignment at Mass St. Music here in Lawrence. I had several opportunities to play her. Mind you, this was before my 360/12 arrived.

The neck on this particular 370 felt very, very much like my 360/12; fast, slim, sleek, just lovely. I was playing all kinds of blues, rockabilly, and country stuff on the 370 and loving it. Matter of fact, if I hadn't been expecting my 360/12 at any moment, I'd have made the store owner an offer he couldn't refuse.

I don't think you can go wrong on a Rick 6 string. If the 360 models are for you, then you're going to love one in a 6 string version.

Now about that Gretsch.....boy, tough choice between Ricks and Gretsches. If I could have both, I would. And I hope someday I may! And if I found myself in your shoes, I'd try to keep both a Rick and a Gretsch on hand. But if I had to choose and could have only one....well, I don't know which I'd keep.
JimK

Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

I tend to agree. Save up or put one on layaway, or if you've got the cash now, take advantage of the 330 or 360 specials Musicians Friend is offering. If the deals are still on with MF.

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

+1, couldn't have said it better myself, Paul.

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

+1

If your financial situation allows you to do it this way, you'll thank yourself later. Both guitars are great and both have a very unique sound.

Of course this is how it starts...............................................G.A.S.

Sell the Strat, buy the Rick.

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

+3. I have a '98 360V64 and a '67 330, both of which are great, but my '61 Gretsch 6117 is my favorite geetar.

Danotron wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

+1

If your financial situation allows you to do it this way, you'll thank yourself later. Both guitars are great and both have a very unique sound.

Of course this is how it starts...............................................G.A.S.

Yeah. That's the plan. And like Ken J said, "...sell the Strat, keep the Rick."
JimK

Just to be different - keep the Strat and the Gretsch and sell one of the anonymous others to fund a Ric - it sounds like you have bonded with the Strat and the Gretsch. Strats may be common, but there's a good reason for why people play them, and if yours is one of the good ones, you may regret getting rid of it later.

antipodean wrote:Just to be different - keep the Strat and the Gretsch and sell one of the anonymous others to fund a Ric ...

I agree with Evan's suggestion.

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

Definitely keep the Gretsch! Oh, did I say it already? Hang on to the Gretsch!

goofyfoot wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

Definitely keep the Gretsch! Oh, did I say it already? Hang on to the Gretsch!

If it got down to making a choice between my Ric 360 JG VP and my Gretsch 6120 Brian Setzer, and one had to go...Oh, Boy.

Did others already mention to keep the Gretsch?

I'd recommend trying to play the guitar you're thinking of buying (if possible) rather than ordering one untried from a dealer as each instrument will feel different. I ordered a couple from the recent Musician's Friend sale - a 360/6 and a 330/6. The necks are nothing alike as the 360's neck is slim and fast, but the 330's neck is really big - the biggest neck I've ever had on a Rickenbacker. They are both very playable, but the 360 seems to be more what is usually expected from a Rickenbacker neck. If you have a Gretsch you like you'll probably find the Rickenbacker comfortable - I have a 6120 and had a Roundup and they are comparable to (most) Rickenbackers in terms of feel. As you know, all necks are not created equal so its important to be able to try them out first. Given the variation from one specific instrument to another, my only other advice would be to possibly buy a 6-string from a Forumite who can accurately describe the neck to you beforehand.

jingle_jangle wrote:Keep the Gretsch and put a Rick on layaway.

+1! I own both brands...a 6119 among them.

Besides, playing a Rick vs. other six stringers definitely ups your hipness factor.