Would you recommend a Ric to me?

theclasher92 · Post by **theclasher92** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:38 pm

My favorite bands are (alphabetical) AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls, Incubus, Jeff Buckley, Jimmy Eat World, Led Zeppelin, haven't heard much Lynyrd Skynyrd but Freebird was awesome, Queen, Pavement, Radiohead, Sloan (kinda), Sonic Youth, The Hollies, The Shins, and The Strokes.

Quite a range I guess, but yeah, all of them are basically rock-ish. I know that some of the bands I listed used them, and I like the unique sound of a Ric, but I'm not really going for a vintage tone. So yeah. I find the semi-hollows to be the most attractive guitars on the market, but I'm just worried that the Ric won't be versatile enough. (Not meant to be an insult or anything, I don't have much experience with Rics) Would you recommend one for me?

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:45 pm

Mat, if you go to my band site www.therampantcarnivores.com , you can download snippets of my album. It is rock played almost entirely on a 330 & a 360. It might give you an idea what rock Rics sound like.

squid · Post by **squid** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:17 am

Hi, Mat. Welcome to the forum. What other guitars do you have? Would the Ric be your only electric?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:34 am

SLOAN ROCKS!

I hate to say this, but but looking at your influences I think that a Rick guitar might be better suited as your second axe - something to give you a broader palate.
You seem to be straddling the fence of a Les Paul or a Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang type thing.

...but what the hell do I know, I'm just a bass player.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:59 am

I like the 600 series guitars ... but then again I am a bass player also ...

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:29 am

Chris...wash your mouth out! Second guitar!
Don't listen Mat....stick any Ric through a Marshall stack & it will come up with the goods.

theclasher92 · Post by **theclasher92** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:39 am

Yeah, it would be my first electric. I've been playing acoustic for three years though, so yeah. I haven't been able to get my hands on a Rickenbacker though to try one out. I started off by looking at a telecaster and a les paul, but it seems to me that most people have fenders/copies or gibsons/copies, which kinda turns me off to them. I dunno, I want a guitar that'll have a unique personality and sound, but I also want it to fit mine. Of the clips I've heard of Rickenbackers, I've been impressed, but none of them were really the type of music I'd play. I dunno.

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:54 am

I'd go with a 330. It's my main guitar, and it's just fine.

My 330 yields remarkably different tones from different amps. You've just got to find the sound you like - and then it's yours! You can jangle if you want, but you can also experiment with different amps and pedals and you'll sound a lot more unique than you would with a strat or tele.

One thing, though - If you can, I'd recommend playing one first to make sure you're happy with the fingerboard.

Oh, and if you like all of those bands you listed, a 330 would fit right in. But I love playing Led Zeppelin's 'Good Times Bad Times' on my 330, through a Fulltone '69 Fuzz and a small Fender amp! Ricks can kick it.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:51 pm

Hey there Tony Carey - he asked for opinions & I gave mine. No need for soap.

Just sounded to me like he was looking for more of a solid body crunch.

I'm gonna go & play one of my 3 Rick basses now & leave all of this 6 string discussion to you guitar players.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 2:42 pm

Mat - I have both Shins albums, a fair amount of Sonic Youth and a 330 (And some other of those band's stuff too). The 330 is GREAT for a lot of the more indie-pop stuff.

Sonic Youth/Strokes/Coldplay. . . all that should be fine. If yer looking for a bendy, bloozy axe for Zeppelin type stuff. .. I dunno, because I don't really play that!

Just on the subject of bands, check out Sleater-Kinney. Carrie Brownstein plays leads on her 330 on their more recent albums. None rock harder for what that type of band is.
If you live near a Sam Ash go on a weekday and plug into a Fender for clean or a Marshall tube for . . . duh! They usually have a 330 or 360 or two on the wall.

Then, if you decide you like it, order from a Rick specialist online

You'll get a better price that way.

And. . .if you can, try a 12 string through a lead channel. Not exactly "versatile" but awesome sounding nonetheless.

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:00 pm

Its not hollow but if you want a sound somewhere between the gibson-fender majority and the very distinctive sound of the 330/360 go for a 650 model ric. It is generally considered a transition guiitar into the classic ric guitars.

The Humbuckers are amazingly quiet, but still offer a strong signal when played. I would say the HBs are by far the most versitile ric PU.
Crunch or clean they shine.

JP

seaneldon · Post by **seaneldon** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 10:09 am

Two words: Radiohead. Fugazi.

Buy a Rickenbacker.

theclasher92 · Post by **theclasher92** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 12:27 pm

Thanks for responding everybody.
Hmm, well first off, what makes a 330 more of a versatile guitar than the rest of the 300 series? Like I know there's more hollow space than a 360, but I don't see how you would be able to get a greater range of sound out of it than say any of the others. Is there something I'm missing?

I'm more attracted to the hollow-bodies than the solid ones, but the wider neck is appealing cause I have pretty big fingers, but they're kinda skinny, so i dunno if it would matter that much. If you really can get a harder solid body sound out of a 650/660, I'd look into it. I guess since I'm on a Rickenbacker forum, lots of you have played both the 600 and 300 seriesm, so could you kind of compare their sounds for me? Anything'll be appreciated

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:27 pm

Can't offer much in the way of comparison there. My 330 has hi gains, my 660/12 has toasters and twice as many strings.

I will venture to say that both types of pickups sound good distorted.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 4:03 pm

Sorry Chris!!!!