Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
How much difference is there in build quality and timbre between the Petty 660/12 reissues circa 1991 and the modern 620/12 (if one were to install toasters on the latter).
Opinions on both instruments welcome. Thank you.
Opinions on both instruments welcome. Thank you.
- sloop_john_b
- Rick-a-holic
- Posts: 13836
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:00 am
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Well, the big difference there is the width of the neck. The Tom Petty models (and current 660/12 models) have a 1 3/4" nut width, whereas typical Rickenbackers have a 1 5/8" nut width.
The build quality shouldn't be markedly different otherwise. The fretboards will be a different species of Rosewood, and the Petty models usually had some very choice birdseye maple.
The Tom Petty models would have had "hot" toaster pickups, whereas if you purchase brand new post-2000 toaster pickups, they'll be wound much less hot (~7.4k ohms) / closer to vintage spec (preferable to the hot toasters IMO, especially for 12-strings).
The build quality shouldn't be markedly different otherwise. The fretboards will be a different species of Rosewood, and the Petty models usually had some very choice birdseye maple.
The Tom Petty models would have had "hot" toaster pickups, whereas if you purchase brand new post-2000 toaster pickups, they'll be wound much less hot (~7.4k ohms) / closer to vintage spec (preferable to the hot toasters IMO, especially for 12-strings).
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Thanks, I wondered about the pickup "strength." My Rick is a mid-60's 330 and the output on the PUPs is perfect (vintage toasters)
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Also, I'm asking about the modern 620 not 660 because they are still being made and easier to find
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Aren't non-TP 660/12's still being made?
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
I'm not sure - there seems to be pretty limited availability right now.jdogric12 wrote:Aren't non-TP 660/12's still being made?
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
We have not seen any new 660/12 entries in the Register here made beyond June 2019. This is not the last word, but it would suggest that production of the 660/12 has been limited since June 2019.jdogric12 wrote:Aren't non-TP 660/12's still being made?
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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- Ontario_RIC_fan
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 2794
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
And just to update this thread, according to some recent Facebook posts, it appears that the 660 model has now been discontinued!
I think there are still lots of inventory available, if you still want one, but it appears that there will be no more after that.
I think there are still lots of inventory available, if you still want one, but it appears that there will be no more after that.
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
-
- RIC
- Posts: 504
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:00 pm
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
No, it has not been discontinued.Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:And just to update this thread, according to some recent Facebook posts, it appears that the 660 model has now been discontinued!
I think there are still lots of inventory available, if you still want one, but it appears that there will be no more after that.
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Ben glad to hear that the Model 660 is still in the game.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Certainly! I loved the two I had (660/12, 660 75th Anniversary). If I were to go back to electric guitar, I'd buy another (I only play acoustic guitar, these days, beside my bass playing).
- Ontario_RIC_fan
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 2794
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Many thanks for the correction Ben! And I am relieved to hear this news.
Silly rumours on Facebook!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/178665487 ... 0996293769
I hope all is well in Santa Anna!
Silly rumours on Facebook!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/178665487 ... 0996293769
I hope all is well in Santa Anna!
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
Re: Petty 660/12 vs. modern 620/12
Good news !!RIC_FACTORY wrote:
No, it has not been discontinued.