Opinions needed: 620 vs 660: which is more versatile?

[Skiptracer]

Hello folks,
I'm new to these forums. Name is J. I'm about to order my first Rickenbacker guitar (have owned a vintage 4001 bass in the past) and have decided on the 600 series shape. Problem is, I can't decide between the 620/6 and 660/6. The big difference being price, and I don't mind the difference in cost, I just want to make sure I'm getting the more versatile model.
I've heard the hi-gains are more versatile than the toaster tops, but I've only played Ricks with hi-gains and it's hard to tell from YouTube videos, especially since most demos are beatles songs or someone playing blues licks.
So basically I'm looking for information from owners of the 600 series instruments. Which model is better for multiple music styles? I'm a one guitar in-one guitar out type of guy. I only keep two electrics at a time. One with a vibrato and one without a vibrato. I've played Fenders all my life. Started on a tele and moved on to the Jazzmaster (my vibrato equipped guitar, which will never go anywhere.). Right now my non-vibrato guitar is a US Gibson SG Standard (small guard).
Neck shape and width doesn't bother me, as every single guitar I've owned had quite a different neck to the one before it and I always adjust quite well.

Please share all you can with me about these fantastic instruments. Help me figure out which one I should get before I wait too long and end up on the waiting list. I've tracked down one of each. I'm going with Midnight Blue for the finish.

-J

[JakeK]

Welcome to the forum, Steven!



All of Greg Koch's demo videos from Wildwood are pretty good, and he goes into a wide variety of different genres and tones, getting versatility out of any instrument he plays, including straight chords. I love when he Travis picks on a Gretsch or Telecaster.

The 660 has a wider neck than a 620, so that adds a little more versatility for lead work.

I've only ever had experience with 12-string 660 models, so I won't be of much help.

[deaconblues]

I know you said neck shape doesn't bother you, but trust me it makes a huge difference. The 660 neck was way too wide for me when I tried one.

Otherwise, I always go for toasters. That's the real Rick tone, IMO.

[Skiptracer]

I hadn't seen the Greg Koch 660 demos. That guy is a madman. Definitely helps with the decision. There are a couple of decent demos of a german guy playing 620s, so that helps too. Not a lot of demos on the Tube.
Thanks for the responses. Keep em coming!

[sloop_john_b]

660/6 is too wide IMO, and I have very big hands & long fingers. It feels like a classical guitar. Perfect for 12-string though!

[Clint]

The 620 is much less expensive. Leaving you money left over to buy more gear. I'd call that more versatile.

[sloop_john_b]

The 620 is much less expensive. Leaving you money left over to buy more gear. I'd call that more versatile.

[Ric5150]

Can you clarify what you want in "versatility"? I have both and could argue for either.

The 660 neck is much wider and flatter. I have smaller hands but can just manage it, but its not as comfortable to me. However, it gives you more room for bending strings so is arguably more versatile to playing styles. My 620 has the high E nut slot particularly close to the edge of the fretboard, so I have to be really careful to not pull the string off the fretboard when bending or doing pinky pull-offs. No worries about that on the 660. (None of my other "normal neck" Ricks is as touchy on the E as my 620, could be unique to my nut. The string could be moved in a little with a new nut.)

IMO, high gains cover a wider range of amp gain setting and still sound great. They won't go clean chime as well as toasters, but they handle a little crunch and up a little better than toasters. For range of good tone over amps and amp settings, I'd say the 620 is more versatile because of the high gains.

You could also buy a 620 and put toasters in it or buy a 660 and put high gains in it. The later would probably be the most "versatile" if you can handle/like the wider neck.

There's also the 650 with humbuckers. They are a very unique and interesting sound for a humbucker, but overall to me, are in 3rd place of the 3 pickup styles. The 650 also has more of a hard mount bridge, so you get a little more sustain and a little different sound from that. (Yeah, I know, I just put a third guitar in the mix - but all have certain advantages, which is why I have one of each.)

All that being said, if I could only keep one of the three, it would probably be the 620 - but I also have other Ricks with toasters.

Clearly, the easiest answer would be to relax your policy and start accumulating more guitars.

[Skiptracer]

Thanks for the replies. I am definitely leaning towards the 620. It will be my first ric guitar, so I'm better off price wise. If it turns out to be as good as I'm hoping, I can splurge out the cash for my next one. I've at least played a 620 a few times in the past, so it won't be too foreign to me. I've tried the 650s (almost bought it as my sister's name is Sierra)and I thought it was great, but I really love the classic bridge and tailpiece(R or Art Deco). I'm a sucker for aesthetics and I love that traditional style bridge/tailpiece.
Also, can you still get those accent vibratos? They appear to be similar to a gibson maestro vibrato in it's function. Anybody have experience with both?
Thanks

[paologregorio]

660; wider neck, vintage pickups, checkered binding, gold guards, vintage knobs, more spendy.
620: standard neck, hi gains, binding, white guards, modern knobs, less $, so you have the versatility of having spent less cash on a guitar.

[Medicus1963]

Hi Steve,
I have the 325 with Accent Vibrato and a Gibson SG With Maestro. And Yes they are comparable and are almost of the same construction. As long as you do not try divebombs and lube your nut and bridge and wind up your strings correct you will not have any tuning issues.

Peter

[Pearlwhite67]

I can't offer any first hand experience on the 600 models.

But from a versatility perspective I was amazed at the versatility of the hi gains in my Ricky 360/6

I always knew they would do the whole jangle piece. what I didnt expect was how well they respond to a bit of gain/crunch.

I don't think they could do full on Metail but a bit of gain/crunch and the hi gains can certainly go as far as Nirvana type tones, as well as backing off to the expected cleaner REM/Petty tones.

Just on the looks.....I think the 660 is one of the best looking guitars out there. Especially with the fireglo finish and a bit of flame in the maple.

[Ric5150]

You can get an Accent at the RIC website under the "Boutique" tab. For a 600, I'd recommend you get a alternate tailpiece section from Winfield Vintage. The factory one is drilled for a strap bolt closer to the back, so it will sit really high. The Winfield one is drilled higher, so the vibrato will sit correctly without having to move the hole in the guitar.

I recently put Accents on my 350v63 and 660. Definitely need the modified bracket or redrilling on the 600s. I think it was $60 which seemed a little expensive, but it beats doing carpentry work on a new guitar. Works nicely.

[stringsncords]

The 620 neck feels a bit small for me, but it could be the size of the body, too, as I'm 6'1" and north of 200 lbs.

The 6-string 660 neck is too wide for me, but the 660 12-string is perfect. I had both at one time, and ended up selling them.

I just need a bigger guitar, so the 300 series is much better for me.

[arbiter]

I'm not a big guy and have hands on the smaller size and the 620 still feels small to me, but I really like it. Since i mostly like to play with gain I like the hi-gains for sure. 660s are gorgeous looking, but not for me.