Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Would like to hear some reviews and comments about the 360/6 Carl Wilson from players who own/play the guitar. Does it sound much different than a normal 360/6 with toasters because of the thinner top found in the 360CW ? Thanks.

To begin with, acoustically, it's absolutely wonderful! The notes all ring evenly and it's loud enough without an amp to be recorded by my portable cassette when I'm writing. I've always believed that to have a great sounding guitar it's has to ring & sustain acoustically. This guitar has got more than what it takes in that respect! Plus it rings more than the 360-12WB/WT that I use.
Plugged in, this instrument is beautiful. Although I'm usually a bridge PU type of player, I've getting very nice Rhythm & Lead tones out of mine using the PU selector in the middle position with the neck PU rolled off slightly using the mixer control. (Love that control BTW,very nice & useful). I can't wait to record my 1st tracks with this baby later this year.
So, don't expect to see mine on E-Bay anytime within the next century. HA!

To me, the CW 6 does not perform better acoustically than any of my other semihollow Rick's (one 330, two 360's, one 381V69). What's more, it IS an electric guitar. That's why the pickups are there. And those pickups do make a difference when compared to the older reissues and the higains. I would call the scatterwounds to be cleaner, brighter and less loud than the others. However, to me the scatterwounds are less characteristically "Rick" than the higains. Don't worry about this thin top though..

The 360CW is my first Rick 6-string. Since I hit pay dirt with my 360/12CW Fireglo I decided to try the 6-string. I've always wanted a Rick since I started playing and it's everything and so much more than I expected! It plays so easy and has that great jingle jangle tone. I bought it because it looks like the Ricks from the 60's, 21 frets, long sharkfin inlays, Jetglo finish, black knobs, checkerboard binding, and the toasters! Truly a great guitar!

Kees: I can only use my 350 as a reference point, however, I was very pleased with the switch from the high gains to the scatterwounds. Brighter and cleaner I certainly agree. However, they also produce a very nice jangly sound that the high gains didn't quite achieve. I guess there are several variables to consider here when it comes to producing the "Rick" sound. Just my two cents.

Peter: Judging between The 360/12CW I just bought and my '68 370/12 the pickups they are using in the CW re-issues are certainly as bright as the ones on my '68---the CW pickups are a bit hotter too. The treble pickup on the 360/12CW is on fire. Bright and jangly!!!!

Kees wrote:To me, the CW 6 does not perform better acoustically than any of my other semihollow Rick's (one 330, two 360's, one 381V69). What's more, it IS an electric guitar. That's why the pickups are there. And those pickups do make a difference when compared to the older reissues and the higains. I would call the scatterwounds to be cleaner, brighter and less loud than the others. However, to me the scatterwounds are less characteristically "Rick" than the higains. Don't worry about this thin top though..

I just came across one of my posts from 10 years ago. To date, I still like the higains on a 6-string much more; they have more agression, less 'balance', more R.E.M., more venom! I have (therefore) never developed a deep love for my 360/6 CW JG (one of the reasons why I would like to trade it for a 'real' 360 JG (pre '91 or post '09).

Comments from other CW users?

Best wishes,
Kees