Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK, I like to plan early. I am asking Santa Claus for a new Rickenbacker for Christmas (I will be giving him all the money, Santa only gives little kids free stuff). It appears that there are a number of new Rickenbackers out there in the market, no need for a long wait to get one. That's a great thing. But it also presents my dilemma; which Ric to get?

I have a 360/12, so I know I want a six string. I've narrowed it down to the 330 or the 360. I am leaning towards the 330 simply because of the different body styling. I LOVE the binding and the shark fin fret markers of the 360, but the pointy horns of the 330 are simply classic. (Why is there no 330 with the binding and cool fret markers? Or is there one?)

I've read a few forum posts here and see that owners of both models see very little difference at all in sound and tone, so I guess my choice comes down to the looks (and availability around Christmas time). I hope I can update this post in December with a pic of a new six string Ric in my possession. Right now this is all I have in the Ric department. Not bad, huh? Hopefully soon he'll get a six string buddy. A 330 or 360? I'm still not sure.

You mean O.S. or WB: http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... hp?id=9054 unfortunately they don't really make them like that anymore (There's a C-Series 12 string 21-fret exception)

As you already have a 360 I'd say: go for a 330 - hang them on the wall side-by-side, will look sweet!

A non-transparent finish, toasters and no bindings would be the opposite in Your range.
After owning a FG 360/6 I went exactly that way - and never did regret.

As I saw (not only on my guitars) bindings are nice but can cause some trouble. The varnish on them can crack and/ or peel off. And refretting is another tricky theme.

A (maybe) plus for the 360 series is the double output.

The edges on the 330 are a question of Your own taste. I like them, others do not. By the way they do not cause any problems when strumming. Some people say that but I never noticed.

That 330 WB is exactly what I would like. Too bad its been discontinued.

"A (maybe) plus for the 360 series is the double output."

No, I have that on my 360 and I have used it only to amuse myself. I know some people like it, but I see it as a goofy little feature that serves me no purpose. In fact I see it as a royal pain. I've had my 360/12 for over twenty years and whenever I plug a guitar jack into it I still have to turn the guitar upside down to make sure I am going into the right jack.

But, then again, there's also the 620...

Tommy wrote:That 330 WB is exactly what I would like. Too bad its been discontinued.

"A (maybe) plus for the 360 series is the double output."

No, I have that on my 360 and I have used it only to amuse myself. I know some people like it, but I see it as a goofy little feature that serves me no purpose. In fact I see it as a royal pain. I've had my 360/12 for over twenty years and whenever I plug a guitar jack into it I still have to turn the guitar upside down to make sure I am going into the right jack.

Well, the look of a guitar is the most important thing, and a 330 just LOOKS much cooler, so you should buy one of those.

The "330 WB" model's actually a 360 WB. . . and you have good taste! I blame the 1960s for the confusion. Some clarification and history:

Rick Standard and Deluxe thinline models used to share the same body styles, first the Capri models, then the body style everyone recognizes as the "330" today.

STANDARD models had a single mono circuit and output jack, dot fretboard markers, and no body or neck binding.
They were designated as follows:
330-two pickups
335-two pickups, vibrato
340-three pickups
345-three pickups, vibrato

DELUXE models had dual output jacks (Rick-O-Sound or Dual Mono), triangle inlays, body binding on both sides, and neck binding.
They were designated as follows
360-two pickups
365-two pickups, vibrato
370-three pickups
375-three pickups, vibrato

Sometime in 1964, someone at RIC thought up the idea of the rounded-front "New Style" body, which was only available as the "New Style 360." IIRC, it was designed for greater player comfort (sissies-suffer for your art! ).

The deluxe model continued to be available in both six and 12 strings until 1997, first as the "Old Style," then as the "WBBS," and "WB". While most folks restrict the "Old style" designation to 21 fret models and "WBBS" and "WB" to their 24 fret brethren, for the record, RIC CEO John Hall says this distinction is incorrect; they're interchangeable terms; makes sense; no one calls a 21-fret 330 a "330 Old Style" in comparison to a 24 fret 330. The double bound body is more expensive to produce. IIRC, this, combined with far fewer buyers willing to pay the price led RIC to discontinue the model.

Full disclosure: I am a WB fanatic, but I will refrain from editorializing, aside from my "sissies" comment above. . .

Thanks for that informative post, paologregorio. Good stuff in there.
I guess I am out of luck and a few years too late in getting a 330 with all the binding and cool frets markers. I see I may have to slum it and get the plain Jane 330.

Tommy wrote:OK, I like to plan early. I am asking Santa Claus for a new Rickenbacker for Christmas (I will be giving him all the money, Santa only gives little kids free stuff). It appears that there are a number of new Rickenbackers out there in the market, no need for a long wait to get one. That's a great thing. But it also presents my dilemma; which Ric to get?

I have a 360/12, so I know I want a six string. I've narrowed it down to the 330 or the 360. I am leaning towards the 330 simply because of the different body styling. I LOVE the binding and the shark fin fret markers of the 360, but the pointy horns of the 330 are simply classic. (Why is there no 330 with the binding and cool fret markers? Or is there one?)

I've read a few forum posts here and see that owners of both models see very little difference at all in sound and tone, so I guess my choice comes down to the looks (and availability around Christmas time). I hope I can update this post in December with a pic of a new six string Ric in my possession. Right now this is all I have in the Ric department. Not bad, huh? Hopefully soon he'll get a six string buddy. A 330 or 360? I'm still not sure.

330 all the way. maybe do something different--mapleglo?

I wouldn't obsess over it too much, as either would be a great choice. If I were you, I would get either a new 360JG, or a new 330 in any color you like. I think the hi-gains are great on the new 6-ers, and I do believe there is sound difference between 330 and 360, but both are great.

steverok wrote:I wouldn't obsess over it too much, as either would be a great choice. If I were you, I would get either a new 360JG, or a new 330 in any color you like. I think the hi-gains are great on the new 6-ers, and I do believe there is sound difference between 330 and 360, but both are great.

Amen: I'd suggest Jetglo (JG) or Midnite Blue (MID); dare to be different; FG is such an omnipresent Rick color-get something different! I don't own a single FG Rick and have no plans to. . . unless I'm having it refinished. . . or unless it was one of Eric Behring's killer recent Fireglo finishes on a 360/12C63, but I'd still prolly prefer a solid color.

If after owning your new 330 guitar for awhile you decide REALLY need to have a double bound model, you can always have the binding and inlays added later by one of the forum luthiers. IIRC, some of these craftsmen are so good they won't even have to refinish your guitar to rout it for binding; I've seen a couple that only required touch ups after, but I think it depends on the finish; IIRC, JG would be easier than MID.

It wasn't new, but I had a beat up `89 330 converted into a gorgeous, Blue Boy 365 WB, so it's doable. If you do, I wouldn't bother with buying an ROS circuit and hunting down a used dual-hole jack plate; most folks don't even use the ROS.

Im in the 330 clan

Tommy, I sent you a PM about a nice FG 330-6 that might be available.

A "dilemma" is usually classified as a person having to make a choice between "two" negative options. That isn't the case here. Congratulations on the gift of "choice" Rickenbacker brother. You will undoubtedly be happy no matter the chosen path, even though 330 always precedes 360. Hue is often times a bigger mountain.

...wisdom

I bought an older FG 330 last year and dressed it up a bit. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=402509 Look down a few posts.

They are great guitars.

winston wrote:I bought an older FG 330 last year and dressed it up a bit.

Your post really did it for me. That 330 with those oven knobs is a real great look. I do believe that's the way I'll go. Dress up the plain Jane 330 with those knobs. I like that look a lot. Thanks.