Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just sold a guitar and got enough for a 330ish (want to keep the door open for a 1997) Ric. I like the look of the 340. I'm calling upon my Ric friends to give me some good feedback regarding sound difference between the double and triple PU, or any other observations, comments, etc. Please don't hold back, I need as much info as possible because it will be purchased without seeing or playing in person.

The only other triple PUs versions I am familiar with are the 325s and the middle PU was always in the way (click-click).

I look for your responses as I endeavor to make a decision ASAP. Thanks in advance.

I love my 340, the extra p/u provides a different tone than a 330. I've never had the problem but I'm sure most will say the middle p/u gets in their way when picking. That's usually the answer most given when this topic comes up.

I recently bought a 370/12, and the middle pickup definitely gets in the way sometimes, but I'm learning to work around it. I like the different sound, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, I would buy a 2 pickup RIC 6 string if I had the money!

Bill, on a level playing field, a 3 p/up will have more bottom end & be slightly more 'humbucker' like in tone & yet still sound like a Ric. I converted my turquoise 330 into a 340 & with my amp settings (Marshall 100w & 4x12 cabs) set to suit my 2 p/up Rics, it was a little too bass heavy. However, my other guitarist tried it on his stack (same amp/cabs), but with his settings for solid bodies & it sounded incredible. Going from a 2 p/up to a 3 p/up does need a slight EQ tweak. I am talking hi-gains here. You do catch the p/up with the pick when you're not used to it, but it is amazing how quickly you adapt if you play it regularly.
I have a 1997 which I changed the toasters to hi-gains. Because the p/up spacing is wider (because of the 21 fret neck), it is a little 'mellower' than the 24 fret models, but if you had one, then the EQ would probably be OK for both the 1997 & the 340. I plan to put a 5 way switch in my 330 (340) so that I can select the bridge & neck p/ups only(leaving out the middle p/up), thereby having the best of all worlds (if my other guitarist doesn't twist my arm to buy it from me). The fly in the ointment is if you use toasters. I had a 360 with toasters that was unusable for my needs (too thin), but my 350v63 with three toasters sounds great on my normal 2 p/up hi-gain EQ settings. This EQ thing is only important if you change gtrs at gigs, but if you play in the studio, then it doesn't matter because you can change the EQ to suit.
Because of the extra p/up spacing on the 21 fret neck models, a third p/up on those is easier to play, as there is more space between p/ups (IMHO), but like I said, you will soon get used to it anyway, whichever you choose.

By the way David...welcome to the forum. What colour is your 370...any pics?

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond.
Anthony,you brought up some good points that I will consider. also, I didn't think about the PU spacing on 21 and 24 fret guitars. I played a 330 today, brand new, and I really like it. It has two PUs. I actually went in to try out another guitar when I saw these. They were literally putting them on the floor while I was there. I really like the feel of neck. Not to slim or fat but perfect, especially the string spacing seemed slightly wider than the CW 6-string I had. It even had some birdseye figuring on the top and the fretboard was wild with "tiger stripes" throughout. I am also looking at some other ones and they are very nice as well.

Accent Vibrato: Those of you that have one, on a standard scale (330,360, 1997), how do you like it? Is it useable and does it perform adequately. I have had only one, on a 325v63 and it was pretty much useless. I am a Bigsby lover (Gretsch) and would like a vibrato on the Ric I get, either up front or added later.

Tuner Buttons: I don't like the look of the standard tuners. They are very smooth in operation but the buttons have to go. Without changing the entire tuner, is there a vintage style button that fits the shaft.

Thanks for all the help!!!

I prefer 3 pickup Rics. I've had a 1997SPC/VB and 360V64 for years. They both sound superb. The 1997 features 3 pickups. Its sound is bit more 3 dimensional and versatile. Plenty of chime but with as much bottom as you could ever want. The 3rd pickup has never seemed 'in the way'. The 360 is a two pickup model and its sound has a bit more air to it and a shade extra bite. If I had to choose one over the other, I would go for the 3 p/u Ric. Either way you're a winner!

The Accent on my 1997 is great. I use it regularly. A bit of reverb, play a F#m up at the 9th fret, bend it a quarter step ...chills! It's also the easiest Ric tailpiece to re-string.

Best of luck.
Noel

Good description Noel, very helpful. Based on what you said, I think the double PU is more favorable for me at this point. I play in a 3-piece band and at times the "extra bite" is needed. But mostly, not ever playing a standard 3-PU Ric, I am just a bit gunshy. I am certain it is marvelous however with its own special sound. One thing is for sure - they look killer!

I like what you about the accent. What is your experience with the arm? The one I had on the 325v63 would loosen after using it once which was annoying. Does yours stay tight?

Thanks again.

Here is what I would like to get:
330 (or 1997)
VP (post '99 if used)
VB Accent Vibrato
VC Vintage case
FG or MB

Can't find one anywhere.

Bill, I have a 1997 & a 330 & like I said earlier, they do sound different because of the pick up spacing, so try before you buy. Vintage p/ups on a two p/up model CAN be very 'scratchy' (especially on the closer spacing of a 24 fret neck) & might not sound like you hope....once again, try before you buy. The accent vibrato has fans, but also critics, so think hard about if you really need it. If you get it & don't like it, you can always replace it with a vintage tailpiece, so no harm done. The vintage case LOOKS nice, but I always use the standard h/shell cases for gigging, as I think they protect the gtr more. & finaly, FG or MB. Fireglo is classic, but in my opinion MB is very 'brown' & dare I say it, a little 'durgy'. You either like it or you don't & many love it.
Hope this helps!

Hi Tony, thanks for the welcome. I don't have any pics of my guitar, but it can still be found on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3773611636#ebayphotohosting
(now you know how much I paid for it!) there are some good photos of it.
I don't know what the guy was thinking when he paid to have it set up "Byrds style", it's got the toaster pickups which is nice. But if you look closely at the strings you'll notice that he had the octave strings moved to the top positions, like a regular 12-string guitar setup.

As far as I know, Roger McGuinn used the stock Rick string arrangement for all of his guitars, and has had his acoustics strung that way also. Fortunately, he included the original nut in the case (he had a new nut made) so all I need to do is to switch it. I knew this when I bought it, and I figured it was an easy thing to fix. In addition, I have to buy some replacement bridge saddles, because they were altered as well.

I don't know much about the value of these guitars, but I'm not too worried about if I got a "good price" on this one. If I had bought it new and replaced the original pickups with the toasters, (are they about $100 each?)
I think it probably would have come close to the price anyway. To me, it's worth every penny and more!

Cheers!
-dave-

Tony, thanks for the good info. I think I was getting a case of Ricken-frenzy. You know, got-to-have-this-got-to-have-that. Most of these things can be added a little later down the road considering you get the right base model & color first. I'm breathing normal again.

David, welcome to RicRush, I mean Ricresourse.

David, it doesn't really matter if you paid over for it or not. If it's what you want & you're happy with it, then it's a guitar for life & a small price to pay. $1650 is approx £925ish & you couldn't buy a used 370 in the UK for that sort of price, so to us Brits, you had a bargain....enjoy it.

Bill, I know what you mean about Ric-frenzy...I have it most of the time!

Hey Tony, was the conversion difficult to do?

John, I let someone else do it for me. It is a very easy job to do though & is within the scope of your average guitar owner. I just have a thing about taking a drill to one of my guitars. Converting hi-gains to toasters is a little more difficult, as the body has to be routed for the protruding poles on the vintage p/ups, where as the hi-gains are flat backed.

I have had toasters and hi-gains in my 360/12 and they are really easy to swap in and out. I did have a '66 360 and the hi-gains would not fit since the body routing was so narrow that it just fit the protuding holes.

I think I am going to want to try out a 370/12 to hear and feel it, before I do a mod that cannot be changed!