Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

A dilemma for your consideration...

My 330 is a great guitar -- and it's been with me nearly since the beginning of my guitar-playing days. It was the first Rickenbacker I ever played, it's absolutely gorgeous (despite a few bumps and bruises) and it plays better than brand new guitars. It was my first good, American made guitar and I have a major emotional connection for that reason.

But I just don't play it! 99% of its life is spent as a "case queen" languishing under a bed or in a closet.

I have a little stable of Strats that I love and are total workhorses. Tonight, just to make a change, I busted out the 330 on a couple songs during my nightly practice. It's just not the same -- everything's there, but the old Rick, though it sounds great, doesn't do it anymore. Switched back to a Strat, and the magic was back.

What would you guys do? I'm sure plenty have been in the same situation. Did you miss your guitar once it was gone?

If you're convinced that the thrill is gone, it's best to admit it and use it to get something else that you'll really get some use out of. It's just stuff, after all. If it no longer serves, let someone else get a thrill.

Regardless of how good it is ( unless you are a collector) if it doesn't get played, pass it on to someone who will play it.

I purchased some really nice guitar display cases from Amazon last year, and as a collector as well as a player, I put them to good use. If you think you may regret selling your 330, you can always display it on your living room wall as a nice memento of your early days. If you can use it to fund the purchase of another guitar that you really want, then sell it, and don't look back.

I have a different attitude toward my guitars. I play every one I own at some time or another; either in lessons, or on stage. The Tele and the Gretsch are nearly interchangeable, the Rick 12 string occupies a special place. I keep my prized Mossman acoustic home and bring it out for solo shows only. My Dobro round neck gets some play occasionally. I wouldn't part with that because it came to me through the family. So I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't own a guitar that I never play. I can't even imagine that. And there are guitars out there that I wouldn't buy because I know I'd never play them.
JimK

I would keep it.

You never know when your Strat Affair may wane . . .

I have more than I can play, and sometimes let a few sit in their cases for a while. Then I'll get one out and wonder why I left it in the case so long, and start the love affair all over again...

Dude, I'm going through the same thing right now.

I'm only really playing bass right now, and yet I have four unbelievable guitar keepers that I just can't seem to part with - I barely ever play them.

This week I was really considering selling my Les Paul, or rather "downgrading" to a lesser one, but I got talked out of it, and that friend was probably right - I WILL eventually regret it.

A 330 is easily replaceable, but sentimentality is not. Mod it. Make it useable. Check out my modded '68 330 one day and your eyes will be opened! They don't have to be these specialty jangly things unless you want them to be. My 330 stands toe-to-toe with any of my guitars.

Thanks for the opinions guys. Seems to be evenly divided.

Well, there's nothing I would want that I could afford through selling the 330, so probably better to keep it than liquidate it for the time being, I think.

John, I thought about modding the 330, but I would hate to screw it up or ruin its mojo. Still an option.

deaconblues wrote:
John, I thought about modding the 330, but I would hate to screw it up or ruin its mojo. Still an option.

From your initial post, it sounded like the magic was gone from the 330.


My only advice is - don't sell unless you need to or have something better lined up, but don't let your possessions own you. It's just a guitar, and I've sold countless guitars that I had a connection with and have very few regrets.

If I don't play it enough, it's not a favorite anyway. If I like a guitar enough I'll find a reason to bring it out of its case.

If I were in your shoes I would give it 30 days, try again, and if the same thing happens sell the 330.

collin wrote:

deaconblues wrote:
John, I thought about modding the 330, but I would hate to screw it up or ruin its mojo. Still an option.

From your initial post, it sounded like the magic was gone from the 330.

It's got the magic, but not for the style/sounds I'm looking for. I've got a 325 that works better for the Rickenbacker sound.

I think Collin nailed it upthread. Even if its spending 99% of its time in its case, if you are still getting enjoyment out of playing it during the remaining 1% -- or even if you get satisfaction out of knowing that it is there and that you could play it if the mood struck -- don't sell it unless you have a compelling reason to do so. Since it sounds like there is nothing in particular you are itching to spend the money on right now, I wouldn't sell it merely for the sake of selling it.

I strongly believe that guitars are meant to be played. They shouldn't be treated solely as museum pieces. This should apply to "vintage" instruments as well.

If it's no longer played, why not sell it and use the funds to purchase that next "favorite, go-to" guitar.

I have bought and sold probably 100 guitars/basses in my life....a lot for some and not that many for others.
The only ones I regret having sold are the ones that got stolen (and obviously they weren't really sold but gone nonetheless).

Even the ones I thought I would miss and struggled with initially selling became "out of sight out of mind" pretty quickly.
Except for a couple that were special gifts/family/etc none of my guitars/basses are untouchables and even if I have no intentions of initially selling them, for the right price they are gone. I guess I look at them as tools of the trade.