330 Neck Profile

[Full Cleveland]

I am looking to buy a 330-6, new or used. Jeff Scott tells me that some years have a thicker neck profile and I want the thinner one. Can anyone tell me which years have the thinner necks or vice versa?

[8mileshigher]

I have a 2006 330 with the large Headstock and the neck is very substantial compared to a 360 I have from 2003 and a 370-WB from 1981. Maybe the 330's necks are just a little heavier cut (thicker) than other 300 series models ?

I know that all the 1980s ere necks (that I have tried on several other RRF-ers guitars) all feel pretty slim and "light."
I really like these 80s era necks. They just play real nice.

Probably would be good for you to try out several different ones, from different manufacturing eras, to find the one that makes you happy.

[kiramdear]

I know that all the 1980s ere necks (that I have tried on several other RRF-ers guitars) all feel pretty slim and "light."
I really like these 80s era necks. They just play real nice.

+1 That's my experience, too; I also like the slimmer necks.

[scott_s]

My 2004 is on the thick side, roughly 0.92" at the first fret. I love it!

- Scott

[collin]

Kind of a roll of the dice.

I've held necks on identical guitars from the same year that felt different.


Anybody know the year RIC switched to a CNC machine for the necks? 2007? That might make them more standardized, I dunno.

[Full Cleveland]

All I know so far is, I tried Jeff Scott's, I think it's a 1968, and a 2010, and they felt about the same and I like them.

[jps]

'67 330
'98 306V64

[Full Cleveland]

So.. doesn't anyone know which years the 330 necks were thicker?

[collin]

So.. doesn't anyone know which years the 330 necks were thicker?

read:

Kind of a roll of the dice.

I've held necks on identical guitars from the same year that felt different.

[scott_s]

Probably best to start asking for specific details from guitar sellers. If they don't know their way around a micrometer, then... have them google it.

- Scott

[Full Cleveland]

The reason why I'd like to know this is because I may not be able to personally check out the guitar. A friend in Philly may be picking up a 330 for me and swapping it with me for one of my guitars. It would be helpful if I could tell him to target or exclude certain years.

[8mileshigher]

Collin, wondering would it be a safe bet for Warren to have his friend exclude the Big Headstock model year 330s, as they will likely have the more substantial neck then a Small Headstock model ... or would this theory be assuming too much consistency ?

[8mileshigher]

Warren --- our local So Cal RRF-er Tom O'Keefe is trying to sell his FG 330 ....maybe you should PM Beatbyrd

[collin]

or would this theory be assuming too much consistency ?

Yes.

I'd like to know when they started going to CNC machines, and if that covers the neck profiling...?

The last new 330 I bought was a small headstock 2007 model from the Musician's Friend blowout of 2009, and I sold it because it had a baseball bat for a neck....and this might even be within the CNC era, that I don't know.

With Rics, trying to generalize or pinpoint certain years for anything might just be excluding "the one" you've been looking for.

The only consistency is inconsistency.....and that's exactly what I love about them. Sometimes it's the hunt and chance that makes it worthwhile.

[Full Cleveland]

Well, I guess I'll have to instruct my friend to take along a micrometer or calipers when he checks a guitar out.