Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Are the 650 and 660 neck basically the same? There's an oh so slight difference being shown on the 12th fret width over at the Ric site, and it made me wonder, if that's just binding adding a bit of width to 660 necks or if they're actually really different?

Just another Wednesday evening with nothing do to question that popped into my mind

I have a 650 Atlantis from 1996 and a 660-12 from 2004 and the Atlantis seems a bit more "thick" around, than the modern 660-12, which has a bound neck. Probably the technology of cutting and shaping the necks changes over time.... or when the CNC machines were introduced.

The widths are supposed to be the same, I believe.

The necks are the same width at the nut, but I believe that the 650 is wider at the higher positions. The 650 strings are spaced wider at the bridge. The 650 has 24 frets and the 660 has 21.

The 660 neck has always felt like a "fat D" to me. Strangely flat on the back.

Yes, I'd agree with Paul. The 650 is rounder on the back and thicker or fuller (is that a word?) overall. Both play nicely. The 650, of course, is not varnished.

Best,

manta wrote:The 650, of course, is not varnished.

Are you referring to the 650 Dakota and Sierra models, with the oil-finish ?

My '96 650 Atlantis mentioned before has the highest-gloss, conversion varnish fretboard of any of my Rics.

Yep, I have a 650 Dakota! My only 650 series experience.

My JG 650C has an ample neck. It's not a baseball bat, but is definitely on the thicker side. It also has a very glossy varnished maple fretboard like Rich's Atlantis. I know the spec is 10" radius, but it seems flatter to me. Maybe it's the width that makes it seem that way.

My former 650C was fairly thin front to back.

Thanks for the replies - just struck me as odd the necks would be different in other ways than just amount of frets. If I get a solid body Rickie, it would be a 660 JG 6er, but I'd swap to humbucking, and add an R tailpiece

Do you want your neck enormous or gigantic?

One other thing not mentioned is that the 650 has jumbo frets compared to the 660.

ken_j wrote:One other thing not mentioned is that the 650 has jumbo frets compared to the 660.

Yes, that's a very good point that we forgot to mention. Those bigger frets are one of the outstanding features on the 650 that make it enjoyable to play.

Jumbo frets? Mmm... can't say I got any preference there.

jdogric12 wrote:Do you want your neck enormous or gigantic?

Jason, both might be too slim