Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It's time to commit to my 2nd Ric.

The contenders are the 350v63 and the 620, both 6 string models.

Since I won't be able to play either of these models before I place the order, I need some guidance on which model would be a better fit.

As a reference, I already have a 360/6.

Aside from the toasters, is there anything about the 350 that would specifically recommend it? I love the 350 body shape, but I also am a big fan of shark fins, binding and finished fingerboard and I love the body shape of the 620 as well.

Either guitar would be great (and if I really wanted toasters, I could put a set on the 620), so
I'm not sure how to play it.

FWIW, in this case, there is no financial issue. If the 350 is right, then I'll spend the dough.

Thanks in advance for any advice,

-T

To me, the obvious difference besides the pickups is the attack. As a solidbody, the 620 definitely has more attack than the semihollow 350V63. Both definitely still have the RIC tone.

I would prefer the vintage tailpiece for easier restringing; the "R" tailpiece is okay on the 330/360 but on the 620 it's so close to the bridge that it's more difficult to maneuver the strings.

Can a vintage tailpiece be retrofitted to a 620?

You should be able to retrofit the tailpiece but it will require a couple of new holes. I'm pretty sure they cover up the old holes from the "R" tailpiece.

Hi Tom. I have had 2 620's and a 350v63, as well as a 660 and a 360 and have switched between toasters and hi gains on all of them. Guess i just like to fiddle with the sound. I think, like many others on this forum, that the sound of the toasters and the hi gains is quite similar: i think someone said that you could get 90% of the sound (read Jangle) of the toasters with the hi gains, and the hi gains just allow you to push the amp a bit more, get a more rockin' sound. That said, the 350v63 gets a little bit into strat territory with the 3 pups and the 5th knob mod (allowing he fifth knob to act as a middle pup volume knob). It is also quite light (6.5#?) should weight be an issue. I found though that i did not like the dot fretboard markers on the 350- couldn't see them well enough for my taste when playing. i much prefer the shark fin markers of the 620/360 guitars, both for playing and because they look so cool! I also like the overall look of the 620: a great shape and the binding and the shark fin fretboard markers throw it into a category all its own (duh. It gets a great sound. I guess, for me, the 620 covered all the sonic bases of the 350 (except the strat thing, which could be attained with the addition of a middle pup- you could use the money saved (by not buying the 350v63) to do this...) and i got the look of the all-too-cool 620. BTW the 660 is great as well- the wider neck is wonderful if you like that feel- great for that extra space between the strings and it doesn't feel as wide as the 1 3/4" width measurement would suggest. Hope at least some of what i have written helps you in your decision... Good luck! whichever way you go you'll be getting a GREAT guitar (of course- it is a Rickenbacker!)-Dave

Excellent info, Dave. Thanks.

I've decided to go with a 620. Though I could go with either guitar, the lower cost of the 620 will allow me to do some experimentation with pickups etc.

Now, the trick is to find a good dealer who has one in my color, in stock or with a reasonable
lead time. It's harder than it seems.

What color(s) are you looking for?

Hi Dave.

Jetglo is my preference, but I could go for a Fireglo as well.

Tom, I asked because I was looking at basses at The Music Shoppe website http://www.abcs.com/themusicshoppe/ and I noticed in the guitar section they have new Jetglo and Fireglo 620s in stock. IIRC from a past phone call, they don't discount quite as much as some others, but at least they have them. I've never dealt with them, just passing the info along.

I might be thinkng of selling my 355

Dang, Kieran...you dug an OLD thread!

You have a 325? I thought you were looking for one

No, Im thinking of selling My 355 to get a325

JakeK wrote:Dang, Kieran...you dug an OLD thread!

You have a 325? I thought you were looking for one

Yea! A 5 year old thread!