Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello all. Please tell me what you think was the best Rickenbacker model made and why? Feel free to include eye-candy to make your point.

Tough one! You first Peter.

John I wanted to let others go first but seeing as you asked.
I find the appeal of the 360 New Style hard to beat. I love the look of the rounded top edge and the smoother appearance of the body compared to the 330 or 360 Old Style. The body is a nice size it is a comfortable player for me.

I want to agree with Peter here, the 360/12, New Style, 24 fret is the epitome of Rickenbacker design and my personal favorite. But as far as "best" I would have to go with the 4001. Because it is probably the most consequential Rickenbacker model.

Everybody knows... that the 430 in Jetglo is the best!

The very last one I owned, the 360 V '64. Just a beautiful guitar with an unequalled finish.

For me it is clearly the new 1993plus, especially in fireglo!
A beauty to look at, very comfortable to play an sounds killer!

Peter

Bass : the mid '60s 4001s
Guitar: 360 cw

In bass terms, the 4000 & 4001 were clearly the landmark instruments. However, I'd rate the 4002 as their best bass.
Ash

I have to say that the 360/12 Carl Wilson is among the best. NS, 21 frets, thinner top, and scatter wounds.

Keep your favourite Rickenbacker models coming everyone. No surprise, given the amazing number of models crafted over the years that we would have so many different choices. Just another thing to love about Rickenbacker, diversity.

I feel like it's not the right choice, but when it comes down to it, my 336/12 has been a fantastic go-to guitar. I rarely use it for a 6, since I have plenty of decent 6's, RIC and otherwise. I recently used the 336 for a 3-hour cover band gig and it was the only guitar I brought and it did great. Sat in the mix just right, didn't break any strings, just right.

Close seconds for this post included: 370/12RM, 380L PZ, 5002V58, 2030GF. That Frey bass is a serious working machine. Oh, and my Rutherford doubleneck ('72 4001 + '66 360/12)

Ashgray wrote:In bass terms, the 4000 & 4001 were clearly the landmark instruments. However, I'd rate the 4002 as their best bass.

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Ash

Agreed. I sold my 4001 for a 4002 in the early 90's, which I still have. It was my only bass for about twenty years. When strung with GHS Progressives 45-60-80-105, it has a very wide range of tones that rival the so-called modern "boutique" basses. The problem was the price point and the reticence of traditional Rickenbacker 4001 players to embrace it.

After 5 decades of owning and playing most all of Rickenbacker's bass products,I've found the 4004 series in all their variants to be pretty special. I just bought another recent year Laredo,(2-piece slimmer neck,but conversely fatter headstock),bringing me up to 4 of these finely made basses. Once a few minor tweaks are made,the pickups can't be beat,and the modern bridge and overall simpler layout just makes for a supremely comfortable and playable instrument.

I wouldn't mind checking out a '60's RM someday,too.

Peter, that is a good thread, indeed! For a six string I wouls say Laguna 380 L PZ, 12 string the new 1993+.