Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between a 330 and a 1997? Also what does the 1997VB signify?

1997's have an 'f' shaped soundhole, 330's have the normal Ric 'Scimitar'soundhole.
1997's have vintage reissue toaster pickups, 330's have highgains
1997's are usually fireglo, 330's can be any finish
1997's have vintage style plain black knobs, 330's have the silver capped type.

'VB' could signify Accent Vibrato fitted. Which is actually the way all 1997's were back in the mid 60's.

1997's have 21 frets, 330's have 24

I knew I missed something...lol

The 330 also has the "R" tailpiece, whereas the 1997 (Vintage Reissue) has a Trapeze tailpiece. BTW, my left handed 1997 has a Mapleglo finish.

Thanks, guys......decisions, decisions.

...and one more thing...
1997's have the vintage-style tuners, 330's have modern Schallers. Have we missed anything?

Oh yes, the headstock:

1.-The tuners in 1997 are Ric DeLuxe, different than 330's:

330:
http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/330/330_headstock-back.jpg
1997: http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/1997/1997-headstock-back.jpg

2.-The Ric plates are different between both models, 1997's plate is larger and sharper than 330's. Also the 'made in USA' phrase is in the bottom of the headstock in the 330 and under the Rick logo in the 1997. Now look:

330:http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/330/330_headstock-front.jpg
1997:http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/1997/1997-headstock-front.jpg


On the other hand, I love my 1997 fg, but it 'd be perfect with an 'R' tailpiece.

There is one other subtle difference. The heel shape.

Modern 330's have rounded heels.330 Heel

1997's have square heels.1997 Heel

Also the comment I made about 1997's usually being Fireglo isn't as true as I thought.