Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Let me start by stating that I love Ricks. I've had a 360/12 in Fireglo for abot a year. Now I want a 6 string Rick. I've found an interesting deal on a 605D Dakota. I do not know much about them Any insight I could get would be appreciate.

To me the 650s are the best Ricks. Wide neck, strong pickups, you can play anything on them. They have the typical jangle (don't know how they create this at RIC, it's a total different construction than the hollowbody guitars) and you get creamy overdrive and distortion sounds. Played a whole CD with my 650 Dakota and 650 Colorado and haven't played other guitars ever since.

I just got a 650D and I like it a lot!

I almost hate to say it, but the neck reminds me of a cross between a G*bson and a F*nder. The thickness and width of the neck reminds me of a Les Paul, but the overall 'feel' of the neck reminds me of a Stratocaster. It certainly plays well, but after playing a Rick with a traditional neck it was pretty different. Good, but different.

The pickups are warm and clear. With a little agression they can achieve an SG-like nastiness. You can really bend notes easily, and to me that reveals a Stratlike snappiness. But don't get me wrong, the 650D doesn't sound 'like' any other guitar. Including a Rickenbacker, although you can dial in a jangly approximation of the traditional Rick sound. It's definitely got it's own voice. And it has excellent sustain!

I actually tried putting toasters in the 650D this week and I like it a lot. I'll probably try hi-gains soon and then put the humbuckers back in. The stock humbuckers really are great pickups - I just swap pickups around for kicks. The toasters sound really good with the extra sustain of the 650D. Crystal clear and deep!

I could definitely see playing a whole CD with this model, like Dr. evil did. It's made me contemplate getting a 650C too! That way I can have toasters in one and humbuckers in one. I bet toasters in a 650C with the Hi-Tek Vibrato would be sweet! Maybe a 380L too?