Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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.

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).

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)

Also, I'm asking about the modern 620 not 660 because they are still being made and easier to find

Aren't non-TP 660/12's still being made?

jdogric12 wrote:Aren't non-TP 660/12's still being made?

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?

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.

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.

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.

No, it has not been discontinued.

Ben glad to hear that the Model 660 is still in the game.

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).

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!

RIC_FACTORY wrote:
No, it has not been discontinued.

Good news !!