Ricky 330

hobbio

I played one of these today for the first time in a shop and WOW! I know people say it's a marmite neck, but it's like it was custom designed for my hands. I've never felt so comfortable playing in my life. The body is quite big, but that fits me perfectly too.

I loved the jangle, but I also really loved the neck pup and I was surprised at how versatile it was compared to how versatile people say it is. It was great clean, crunchy and then overdriven but I didn't try it with loads of gain. Doesn't matter though, I don't care if it's crap with high gain because everything else about it is perfect for me.

I know that it has jumped to the top of my GAS list and I will own one as soon as I can. If I wasn't skint I'd have taken it home with me there and then.

SimpleSimon

Great guitars, ive owned a few over the years and always come back to them. They are well built and to an amazing level of quality compared to the other big name fixed neck US brand. I would rank them alongside PRS for quality of materials and craftsmanship.

ICBM

hobbio said:

I played one of these today for the first time in a shop and WOW! I know people say it's a marmite neck, but it's like it was custom designed for my hands. I've never felt so comfortable playing in my life. The body is quite big, but that fits me perfectly too.

I loved the jangle, but I also really loved the neck pup and I was surprised at how versatile it was compared to how versatile people say it is. It was great clean, crunchy and then overdriven but I didn't try it with loads of gain. Doesn't matter though, I don't care if it's crap with high gain because everything else about it is perfect for me.

I agree with every word of that. And they're not crap with high gain either.

TonyR

Cracking guitars - I've owned at least one Rickenbacker since 1988 and currently have three of them - a 1998PT, 381/12 and 330/6  (currently for sale).

They are certainly more versatile than people give them credit for and they do overdriven very well. Many people don't like the thin necks or the glossy fingerboards but I certainly do.

Up until recently Rickenbackers were by far my favourite guitars, that was until I got my hands on a Gretsch.

hobbio

I really liked the lacquered fingerboard too.

The whole thing just oozed class. Really high quality guitars, these. I had no idea that I would like them this much, I wish I'd tried one years ago because I'd own one by now if I had!

hobbio

Jesus, I've just looked on ebay and they hold their value well.

ICBM

If you find they're as much for you as this, you just have to do anything you can to find the money. There's nothing else like them.

Iamnobody

I recently picked up a 360 - the neck has a surprising nice round profile. Not sure if I've got completely used to the narrower fingerboard but overall it's a beauty.

@icbm tells me that the various periods of production have produced different neck profiles. Mine is a mid nineties.

Even though the 360 is a premium model I reckon I'd swap it for a Fireglo 330 anyday!

badlydrawnbanjo

hobbio;676701" said:

Jesus, I've just looked on ebay and they hold their value well.

I disagree with that statement from experience. I had a mint 360 jetglow for sale ages on here. Ended up selling it for £900 IIRC. I'll echo the sentiment that that they don't just do jangly stuff they can rock out as well. Brilliant guitars.

NervousJohn

Correct! Now go buy one. Btw 12 strings are better than 6.

ICBM

NervousJohn said:

Correct! Now go buy one. Btw 12 steins are better than 6.

Agreed.

https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6235512/il_570xN.335747683.jpg

If you meant strings …. not so sure. I really, really want to like Rick 12-strings, but I can't quite get on with them. I've owned a 360/12 and a 660/12, and don't have either of them now. Overall I think the 6s have just as much character - although obviously not that distinctive 12-string sound - but are less restrictive with what you can do with them.

NervousJohn

Now edited for sausage fingers. Ironically....

XWulfhere

i had one for years, they're great great guitars. Well made, great sound and possibly the best looking electric ever (or so I thought at the time). I only moved it on because my tastes had changed and wanted to try other axes.

hobbio

As soon as I have the money, I'll have a 330.

Wazmeister

They do overdrive and distortion very well imho. I actually prefer the newer high gain pick ups to the vintage; the ones on my 360/12 WB are incredible - sweet and jangly but also can really bite and push an amp...!

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q493/Warren3333/Rickenbacker 360WB 12 String/P1030779.jpg

TonyR

Wazmeister said:

I actually prefer the newer high gain pick ups to the vintage

As do I.

Iamnobody

TonyR;676805" said:

Wazmeister said:

I actually prefer the newer high gain pick ups to the vintage





As do I.

It probably depends on your reference point. For me it's Weller and I think his were (except for the 'Wham' neck pickup) mainly hi gains.

People looking for the 60's sound might prefer toasters.

NervousJohn

TonyR;676805" said:

Wazmeister said:

I actually prefer the newer high gain pick ups to the vintage





As do I.

And me. Hi gains sound fuller to me.

Also - 12 strings do impose a slight limitation in terms of string bending - whole tone bends are probably out unless you are really strong. Half steps are fine, although require a little precision. But otherwise that's about it for me. Up strokes give you the classic jangle and down strokes give a more normal guitar sound, just a little thicker.

pmg

ICBM said:

hobbio said:

I played one of these today for the first time in a shop and WOW! I know people say it's a marmite neck, but it's like it was custom designed for my hands. I've never felt so comfortable playing in my life. The body is quite big, but that fits me perfectly too.

I loved the jangle, but I also really loved the neck pup and I was surprised at how versatile it was compared to how versatile people say it is. It was great clean, crunchy and then overdriven but I didn't try it with loads of gain. Doesn't matter though, I don't care if it's crap with high gain because everything else about it is perfect for me.

I agree with every word of that. And they're not crap with high gain either.

They're fantastic with high gain!

pmg

Iamnobody said:

I recently picked up a 360 - the neck has a surprising nice round profile. Not sure if I've got completely used to the narrower fingerboard but overall it's a beauty.

@icbm tells me that the various periods of production have produced different neck profiles. Mine is a mid nineties.

Even though the 360 is a premium model I reckon I'd swap it for a Fireglo 330 anyday!

@icbm can you elaborate on this please? (Neck profiles)

hobbio

The fingerboard really surprised me. I was expecting to struggle but it was lovely.