Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

les paul studios tend to retail for $1300+ new. the dakota is $699 new. Get two Dakotas.

Oh, please.

Like you even have to ask.

Disclaimer: this has been a completely partisan post. It is of no use to anyone seeking a balanced view. You figured that, right?

Oh, please.

Like you even have to ask.

Disclaimer: this has been a completely partisan post. It is of no use to anyone seeking a balanced view. You figured that, right?

What Mike said. Twice. . Comparing a 650 with a Les Paul Studio is like comparing an Alfa Romeo with a Pontiac Sunbird.

Seriously, I've played both, and own a 650D. I've never understood the allure of Les Pauls - they're heavy, uncomfortable and don't sound like anything I want to play until they're really cranked up, and I'm not into that any more.

Rickenbacker 650s are just about the biggest bargain on the market right now. Buy one before everyone finds out!

I would say: Don't do anything until you've played them both. Considering that you own the Paul, you're probably in a position to determine if you like that particular guitar or not. It sounds like you do like it, though. I know more people who regret selling guitars on a whim than regret buying them on a whim. We all know there is a tremendous variation in the sound, feel, and appeal of supposedly identical guitars. You might have yourself a keeper there. I wouldn't be too hasty to dump it.

Considering that you haven't played a 650, it's a bit of a **** shoot to rely on less than objective "evaluations" when putting your money down, particularly if they are fraught with generalizations that may not be germane to your particular question.

If you can't find one locally, you could always scour eBay for a used 650. If you get it and don't like it, you can probably sell it for about what it cost you, and you'll still have the Paul. If you blindly dump the Paul for a 650 that you don't like, you're in a worse position than you are now.

And if you want opinions from both sides, go to the Les Paul Forum and see what they have to say.

You could always order one from Musician's friend and play it in for a few weeks - then decide to send it back or keep it and sell the Paul.

Mike, my 650A has more sustain than any guitar I've ever owned or played.

Noel

(Serious head on for a second)

I haven't been a Ric owner for very long, but have been absolutely astounded by the sustain produced by my 620/12, which is (correct me if I'm wrong, fellas) basically the same guitar as the 650. It just rings forever...so I wouldn't worry about that aspect of the 650 at all.

I'm seriously considering buying my 13-year-old nephew a 650D as a Christmas present. He wants to move up to a full scale guitar. This is what he's been playing for over five years.

Richard: What a great guitar to start out with! The 650D would be a fine choice.

I own 3 Les Pauls (2 Classics and one custom shop historic reissue). I also own 4 Ricks, including a 650D. There is a marked difference between the Les Paul sound and the Rick Dakota. the 490 series pickups on the LP Studios have a much more pronounced upper mid range bite while the 650 (at least my 650) is much warmer (read more mid bass). The mini humbuckers do not drive an amp as hard as the full size Gibsons.

To my ears, there is no substitute for a great Les Paul sound; but when I am looking for something a bit more unique, I pull out my 620/6 (Hi Gains) and my Dakota. I actually prefer the 620 sound over the Dakota, but, obviously, it does not have the creamy overdrive sound like the Dakota.

Having said all of that, the 650D represents the better buy...much better! It also displays the kind of attention to detail that you find in the higher priced LP Standards made after the year 2000, and the custom shop models. The 650 is quite light compared with the Studio; it has a virtually indestructable finish and better pots, tuners and a more flexible set of adjustments on the bridge. I posted some audio clips a few days ago...Look under the "Test Your Ricknebacker IQ" heading.

I played a Les Paul for a few years and recently switched the Dakota, but I got so used to the 650's drive sound that I can't even listen to my Les Paul on old recordings anymore.

And that is my incredibly biased two cents.

They are very different guitars, and it really does come down to personal preference.

I went from a Gibson SG '61 RI, to a Rick 360. I still own both guitars, but they're both VERY different.

One big difference between a Paul and the 650 is the neck scale. The neck on the Rick is shorter. Also, the way the neck joint is on the body of the Rick, the neck sits higher away from the body than it does on the Paul, and so do the strings.

The Paul's pickups are closer to the body because they're set in, and the strings don't sit as high away from the body. If you're used to resting your hand on the body of your Paul and find the strings are 'right there', the Rick may feel wierd at first.

It'll just take a little getting used to, as the Rick will feel very different. They sound great and have great sustain without all that body-weight, but I wouldn't sell a guitar you love before you at least tried a guitar which will be so wildly different.

I'm actually partial to the Ric over my SG right now, but they're both great guitars and they both have their place.

Hope that helps.

-Nick

One big difference between a Paul and the 650 is the neck scale. The neck on the Rick is shorter.

They're both 24.75", aren't they?

Odd...they are the same. I guess it's just where the bridge is placed on the body. The neck on the Gibson seems to extend farther. I dunno, maybe i'm crazy, but after playing my SG for so long, and playing a 620 and a 360, both the Ricks seemed to have shorter necks.

The SG bridge is set very far forward though...that's probably what i'm feeling there.

Miguel, I hear what you're saying about SG's lacking in the 'girth' department. I've been playing mine on the neck pickup for some time now, and it's cured that complaint, for me at least.

My 360 though, has SO much more low end. I use an Orange OR-120 usually. If you're familiar with the amp, I had the FAC knob in the 2nd position with the SG with the bass on 5. With the Rick it's on the 6th position, with the bass on 5.

That's like having the bass knob on 35 with the SG, and having it on 5 with the Rick.