SHOOTOUT! '64 615 vs. '66 365
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:38 am
I recently has the opportunity to do a shootout with my very well-worn March 1964 fireglo Rickenbacker 615 (the "Ron Nasty/Rutles" model, aka the Rose-Morris export model 1995) and my friend's near mint July 1966 mapleglo 365. I have considered this 365 to be the best sounding and playing guitar I've ever played, so I was curious to see how my solid body Rick would compare.
ACTION & FEEL
The 365 is mostly free of the problem common to vintage hollow Ricks where the neck gets pulled up due to the thin body top and string pressure. The action on this guitar is sufficiently low to play comfortably and fluidly. The 615, being a solid body, has PERFECT action. The neck is straight as an arrow, and since it had a pro refret prior to my purchasing it, it plays nice and smooth.
I used to think that the 365 had the smallest full-sized neck I'd ever played until I got the 615! The 365's neck, being made from several layers of wood, seems to be a bit thicker from top to bottom, with the same flat contour as the 615. The 615 is a bit more "delicate" in feel. The 365's neck fills your hand a bit more, but both are excellent (especially if you have small hands or narrow fingers).
TONE
Both guitars are strung with identical strings - Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing Series flatwound .011-.047. The guitars were played through a Traynor YCV40WR, which is a superb 40-watt combo amp with a single Celestion Vintage 40. This amp is nice and chimey and LOVES Rickenbackers. A Jacques Fat Burner compressor was also used to maximize the chime factor.
Much to my surprise, both guitars sounded VERY similar! Both had that classic woody chime that distinguishes vintage Rickenbackers. The 365 has a bit more "sparkle" and complexity, whereas the 615 has more "quack," particularly on the bass strings when doing a heavy Chuck Berry-style rhythm pattern.
THE WINNER
Tonewise, if the 365 rates a 10 on scale of 1-10, then the 615 rates a 9.5 or maybe even a 9.75. The 615 was slightly more playable than the 365 due to the fact that the neck was just a bit more stable, but some might prefer the feel of the slightly fuller neck on the 365, so let's call that aspect a draw.
Ultimately, I declare the 365 the winner, but by only a slight margin. (The 615 gets some extra points, however, for its relative rarity, significant early '64 manufacture date, and the cool Rutles connection!)
Either guitar would certainly be a welcome addition to any vintage Rickenbacker collection.
ACTION & FEEL
The 365 is mostly free of the problem common to vintage hollow Ricks where the neck gets pulled up due to the thin body top and string pressure. The action on this guitar is sufficiently low to play comfortably and fluidly. The 615, being a solid body, has PERFECT action. The neck is straight as an arrow, and since it had a pro refret prior to my purchasing it, it plays nice and smooth.
I used to think that the 365 had the smallest full-sized neck I'd ever played until I got the 615! The 365's neck, being made from several layers of wood, seems to be a bit thicker from top to bottom, with the same flat contour as the 615. The 615 is a bit more "delicate" in feel. The 365's neck fills your hand a bit more, but both are excellent (especially if you have small hands or narrow fingers).
TONE
Both guitars are strung with identical strings - Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing Series flatwound .011-.047. The guitars were played through a Traynor YCV40WR, which is a superb 40-watt combo amp with a single Celestion Vintage 40. This amp is nice and chimey and LOVES Rickenbackers. A Jacques Fat Burner compressor was also used to maximize the chime factor.
Much to my surprise, both guitars sounded VERY similar! Both had that classic woody chime that distinguishes vintage Rickenbackers. The 365 has a bit more "sparkle" and complexity, whereas the 615 has more "quack," particularly on the bass strings when doing a heavy Chuck Berry-style rhythm pattern.
THE WINNER
Tonewise, if the 365 rates a 10 on scale of 1-10, then the 615 rates a 9.5 or maybe even a 9.75. The 615 was slightly more playable than the 365 due to the fact that the neck was just a bit more stable, but some might prefer the feel of the slightly fuller neck on the 365, so let's call that aspect a draw.
Ultimately, I declare the 365 the winner, but by only a slight margin. (The 615 gets some extra points, however, for its relative rarity, significant early '64 manufacture date, and the cool Rutles connection!)
Either guitar would certainly be a welcome addition to any vintage Rickenbacker collection.