Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi there, all - I have spent many an hour reading posts and reviews determining what would be the best choice. Please offer up your opinions - if you were after a true '60's sound a la Beatles, Byrds and Who and were sticking to a 6-stringer, what would it be? 330, 340, 360, 370 and which pickups? I'm a lefty so I can't stroll into any shop and just demo a unit. All advice appreciated!

370 + vintage pickups.

Welcome to the site Bruce. If I were to pick a guitar for that sound it would be a 360WBBS with vintage P-ups. Nothing IMO beats the look and sound of a vintage Rick thru a Vox or a Tweed Deluxe. The only improvement you can make is to deep pot wax the pick ups so you don't get and microphonics or high freq. squeal.

Welcome Bruce.
Whatever the model you choose, Toasters and flatwound strings are a big part of that sound.

The Who - Pete played a '1997' often. A 330 is the equivelent.

The Beatles - John played 325s. I play a 325V64 and it is the best for getting that sound.

The Byrds - Roger played a 370. (A 360 w/ 3 pups)

And they all had vintage 'toaster' pickups. Good luck.

Welcome Bruce.
Whatever the model you choose, Toasters and flatwound strings are a big part of that sound.

The Who - Pete played a '1997' often. A 330 is the equivelent.

The Beatles - John played 325s. I play a 325V63 and it is the best for getting that sound.

The Byrds - Roger played a 370. (A 360 w/ 3 pups)

And they all had vintage 'toaster' pickups. Good luck.

Roger or Jim has often been quoted as saying that he only used the bridge pickup. So why have a signature guitar with three pickups? No one seems to know the answer to that one. He played twelve string Ric too almost exclusivly.
George Harrison used a twelve string Ric on several Beatle songs as well in addition to the Beatle work done by Lennon's Rics.
I have a 360 with highgains. If I were offered another Ric right now I'd like the 370 with highgains. Just for further tonal variety. If I could have only one though I'd stick with my present Montezuma Glo 360.

Roger/Jim McGuinn said he had third pickup added so that his guitar would look like John Lennon's 325s. Nothing special about that. Hum...wonder if he was the "first" person to trick out his Rickenbacker to look like John's? Interesting.

I have a mid 90's 360v64 lefty in near mint condition that I've been thinking of parting with ( along with a few other guitars- Ricks and others). It's strung with Pyramid flats and has the Toasters, but they are not the current scatterwound units. If you're interested in more details and photos, please email me.

Thank you everyone. What I have learned is that vintage pups seems to be pretty much the consensus. And I noted that at least between the signature models for Lennon and Townshend, 3 pickups were chosen. Lennon is a no-brainer but I've noted that Townshend's earlier relics could have been either 2 or 3 pickups, but he chose 3 for his namesake. I also think it's interesting that Rickenbacker preferences seem to encompass such a wide range of opinions vs. other manufacturers. And that's a compliment! Now does anyone have opinions on the older vintage pickups vs. the current ones?

I have a 660/12 and the pickups are great. ("New" Toasters) Not sure how they compare to others.

Well at least there is a reason now that he did it. I think I would use them if I had them though. I like my two pickup one pretty well. But if I get another Ric it would be the 370 model and probably a twelve.

The newer toasters are more like the original toasters than the older toasters. (was that confusing enough?)

I don't know how much you need 'true' vintage detailing, but ordering a modern 330, 340, 360, or 370 with scatterwound toasters won't create an exact vintage replica. (Maybe you already know this...) The fretboard was extended on these guitars from 21 to 24 frets, I think in the late 60s or early 70s, which changed the looks a bit, not to mention the position of the neck pickup. If you're after a 'true' vintage sound and *look*, it might be best to go with a reissue model. Otherwise the toasters will get you most of the way there, sonically speaking. Oh, and the flatwounds. And the cap mod.