Thoughts on a 340 vs. 330 Ric

JackAlan · Post by **JackAlan** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:35 am

Hi everyone,

I was looking at a used 340 Ric in nice shape and was wondering what say ye about the 340 vs. a 330?

Any good/bad things to say about a 340? Also, do they hold their value as well as a 330

Thanks for any info so I don't make me a mistake!!

Jack

paologregorio · Post by **paologregorio** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:47 am

IIRC, they're worth more and similarly hold their value, because there aren't as many three pickup models.

Some players find the middle pickup interferes with their playing, but this is by no means universal. I've never had any trouble with the middle p/up, but I don't own any 3 p/up models. I might, eventually.

Bear in mind, that the neck and middle pickups are wired together, so you can't separate the output of the neck from the middle pickup. Your p/up selector options are; bridge, bridge+(neck and middle), and (neck and middle). There are sound samples somewhere on this forum where one can hear the tonal differences between the two and three pickup Ricks. IIRC, JDog recorded them for a 12 string, but I'm not 100% sure.

Some 340/370 model owners have modded the circuitry of their Ricks so that each pickup is available separately or in combination with other pickups, IIRC, by a rotary switch, or as in the case of Susanna Hoffs, a five-way Strat-style switch instead of the Rick toggle.

I hope that helps. . . it's probably more than you wanted to know. Oops.

jdawe · Post by **jdawe** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:50 am

I have no direct experience, but since a 340 is just a 330 with an extra pickup I don't think there is any real difference in terms of quality and playability. I don't know how much the addition of the middle pickup affects the sound. (Note that the neck and middle pickups are wired together and are either both on or both off -- it's not like a Strat where you can switch just the middle pickup on, although it could be rewired if you were so inclined).

In terms of holding their value, the 340 is a discontinued model and there were fewer of them out there to begin with, so I imagine the relative scarcity would keep their value up slightly as compared with a 330, but this is just conjecture.

The bottom line is that if you have a line on a 340 in good shape at a good price, I think you should jump on it.

JakeK · Post by **JakeK** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:55 am

paologregorio wrote:IIRC, they're worth more and similarly hold their value, because there aren't as many three pickup models.

Some players find the middle pickup interferes with their playing, but this is by no means universal. I've never had any trouble with the middle p/up, but I don't own any 3 p/up models. I might, eventually.

Bear in mind, that the neck and middle pickups are wired together, so you can't separate the output of the neck from the middle pickup. Your p/up selector options are; bridge, bridge+(neck and middle), and (neck and middle). There are sound samples somewhere on this forum where one can hear the tonal differences between the two and three pickup Ricks. IIRC, JDog recorded them for a 12 string, but I'm not 100% sure.

Some 340/370 model owners have modded the circuitry of their Ricks so that each pickup is available separately or in combination with other pickups, IIRC, by a rotary switch, or as in the case of Susanna Hoffs, a five-way Strat-style switch instead of the Rick toggle.

I hope that helps. . . it's probably more than you wanted to know. Oops.

As always, you got it, Paulie.

godber · Post by **godber** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:32 pm

I've experienced both types. The neck/mid combination tone is clearly different, more squashed, obviously more "middle" and the blend of all three is slightly Strat like. I get more interference playing a 21 fret 340 model that a 24 fret 340, but it is minor and easily outweighed by the coolness of that shiny row of chrome. I love them both.

electrofaro · Post by **electrofaro** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:37 pm

paologregorio wrote:Some players find the middle pickup interferes with their playing, but this is by no means universal.

Biggest point why I am selling my 340 - the center pick-up I just can't get used to, keep hitting it in various ways, just enough to get me out of the rhythm.

As for the center and neck PUs being wired together: the sound is great, if you ask me. It's somewhat different from a 330 on neck setting with the blend switch on no bridge PU.

JackAlan · Post by **JackAlan** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:17 pm

Thanks for the help. Looks like I'd have to drop over $1200 for the 340 and didn't know if that was in line or overboard. I will want to sell my 2001 330JG if I get this one. Have a 330FG (2011 new) so I don't guess I need the 2001 JG anyway.

Thanks again and I'll look for the sound posts.

Jack

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:14 pm

Why not put a 3rd pickup on your 330JG?

JackAlan · Post by **JackAlan** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:26 pm

Thanks for the thought Clint. I'm not much for "modding" stuff that isn't reversible if you know what I mean. Next guy may not like what I did and then I have to find someone that likes what I liked enough to buy it.

Thanks for you input!!!

Jack

JackAlan · Post by **JackAlan** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:40 pm

Didn't get the 340. Was reasonable until the last minute of the auction. The automatic bids just went wild and went from $1150 to $2300+ in about 2 seconds. Last 2 seconds of the auction someone slipped in a bid for $2400+. Man, you'd have thought it was a 325 in that auction. IMHO the automatic bid feature ONLY benefits Ebay & the seller. The bidders never win on that. If they had been in regular bidding war there would have been NO WAY the price could have got up to even $1400 let alone $2400 in that time.

Oh well, PT Barnum had it right, "there's a sucker born every minute." Here there were 3 "born in the LAST MINUTE"

Maybe someone was looking out for me as I really didn't need that Ric at all.

Jack

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:02 pm

Wow, $2400 for a 340 ! ?

For that kind of money, one should be able to get a Double Bound ...

JakeK · Post by **JakeK** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:46 pm

Or a 1997SPC. That is too much for a standard 340. Just keep the 330, Alan.

larsongs · Post by **larsongs** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:52 pm

A friend of mine has a Jet Glo 340 & it's a great Guitar. Plays great, sounds great, looks cool!

But for that kind of money you could get a new 330 or 360 for that & probably less. For that kind of money you can get a new 330 or 360 12 String.

Glenn

analogpackrat · Post by **analogpackrat** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:44 pm

8mileshigher wrote:Wow, $2400 for a 340 ! ?
For that kind of money, one should be able to get a Double Bound ...

And a decent amp! Geez...

Keep looking, Jack, you'll find a good Rick for a good price.

Rickygirl · Post by **Rickygirl** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:01 am

8mileshigher wrote:Wow, $2400 for a 340 ! ?
For that kind of money, one should be able to get a Double Bound ...

...Rich, you sound like another Forum member from So Cal.......

(Actually I have become a bit of a double bound convert myself to be honest, but don't have one yet)

I only ever played a 340 once, one of GG's, and my reaction was that the extra pick up interfered with my rythmn, but that is no doubt the fault of my style, rather than of the extra pick up.

Someone obviously liked it a lot.

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