NGD, Rickenbacker content

[blackba]

I thought I would have to wait a lot longer, but after a little over a year my Rick 360/6 came in. I have had a 360/12 string since 02 and always wanted the 6 string version.

So far I love the guitar, its more versatile than I expected. I do find the neck pickup pretty useless by itself, its too dark. I mostly run with both and use the little knob to blend the too. The Rick sounds great through my '66 Vox AC50. The Timmy drive works great with this amp and guitar. I also like the HBE plank cranker for leads as it thickens up the sound a bit, which is what the rick needs for leads.

I did spot a few dots in the finish by the open part slash, but other than that the guitar plays great and is flawless.

Here are some pictures. Notice how the inlays have changed between the 2 as well as how different the 2 fireglow finishes are.

 

[Anonymous]

Beautiful!!! I love the way those guitars look, and sound. Someday, I shall own one. Get yo jangle on!

 

[Szar]

Cool.......

 

[blackba]

Man I am loving this Rick 360. It plays great, its so resonant. Its pretty loud acoustically. It is making having to part with my Les Paul Studio a bit easier....

 

[Digital Jams]

Very cool, love Rics!

Now dime that AC50 with a good ping pong delay working and a truck load of verb and get your Edge on

 

[rsm]

Congratulations! and enjoy, from another Rickenbacker fanatic!
Very nice, fireglo is one of my fav finishes. Nice that you received it so quickly.



Here's my Ric list:

Have:
330 Jetglo (6 string)
620 Fireglo (6 string)
370 Blueburst (6 string)

On order (since Sept 2006!
350V63 Jetglo (6 string)
4003 Fireglo

 

[blackba]

Congratulations! and enjoy, from another Rickenbacker fanatic!
Very nice, fireglo is one of my fav finishes. Nice that you received it so quickly.



Here's my Ric list:

Have:
330 Jetglo (6 string)
620 Fireglo (6 string)
370 Blueburst (6 string)

On order (since Sept 2006!
350V63 Jetglo (6 string)
4003 Fireglo

You have a very nice Rick collection, I will be jealous when you get the 4003 bass.

Do you find the extra pickup on the 370 to be useful? I am noticing on my 360 that I mainly use both pickups and adjust the small 5th knob so there is some neck pickup. I have generally left the tone controls all the way up, I did roll back the bridge tone just a bit. I use the bridge alone so far alot to. So far, just the neck is too bassy.

 

[rsm]

You have a very nice Rick collection, I will be jealous when you get the 4003 bass.

Do you find the extra pickup on the 370 to be useful? I am noticing on my 360 that I mainly use both pickups and adjust the small 5th knob so there is some neck pickup. I have generally left the tone controls all the way up, I did roll back the bridge tone just a bit. I use the bridge alone so far alot to. So far, just the neck is too bassy.

Thanks, certified Ric fanboi here! I'm jealous of the fireglo's you have, as that is my fav finish. The jetglo is pedestrian in comparison. I'd heard they changed the fireglo recently, and that can be clearly seen in your side-by-side pic, both look great IMO, I'd take either one or both

edit: I looked at the pics again. I like 12 string's finish, its less orange, more clear coat, but I dig the deep maroon on the edges of the 6 string....ok, so I like the edge of the 6 string finish, with the center finish of the 12! My 620 fireglo is more orange toward the center (its a newer model '07 or '08?), I prefer the finish that can be seen in between the pickups here (like your 12

I usually play in the middle position (all pickups on), tone all the way up, and vol dialed back 5-7 for rhythm, turn up for solo and hit the switch to treble or bass (still working on making the transition up and down smoother!). I usually have the 5th knob centered, with some minor (+/- 2 or 3) adjustments. I often dial the bass (for non Ric users, that's Ric-speak for neck pickup) pickup down a little more since its louder than the treble (Ric-speak for bridge) pickup, and I want a bit more treble in the mix. Yes, the neck is too dark, almost muddy but dialed down about 2 compared to the treble pickup gives me a good balance tone that I want. I find the treble pickup too bright alone, except for those early '60's Harrison jangle and twang solos and fills, even though he was using a Gretsch more frequently then

I don't have a 360 so I can only compare the 370 to the 330. To my ears, when all three pickups are on it may sound a bit fuller, but not much. I notice with the bass and middle pickup on a bit more definition, less hollow/bassy/mud to the tone, but only slightly. I think the middle pickup makes the switch from bass to/from treble pickup slightly less dramatic too...maybe? But then again, I have my vols adjusted to do that anyway?

Overall, I'd say the difference is minimal I've haven't AB'd the 370 and 330 to see (need another guitar stand). The impact of the middle pickup could be imagined, as my 370 is the most playable and comfortable Ric I have, even though the middle pickup gets in the way and I have focus more on pick control. And the blueburst finish just blows me away.

Using the volume controls to balance the output and/or 5th knob have a more dramatic effect. I think the middle pickup is more for looks than any real sound difference. The 350V63 I have on order is another 3 pickup model, but it has toasters instead of the high gains, so that may make more of a difference?

 

[blackba]

Thanks for the info RSM. Running both pickups on the Rick is sort of new as when I play a Les Paul or the Gretsch Brian Setzer hot rod I have, I rarely use both pickups at the same time. I think the 5th 'mystery knob' as some call it, is really cool. It helps with the blend of the 2 pickups.

I have heard those toaster pickups are great if you want true vintage Rick sounds. I am plenty happy with the High Gains on both guitars. I think that is what makes the 360/6 more versatile than I expected.

As for the finishes, I do prefer the finish on my 12 string, but I like that the 2 guitars finishes look different. I was a bit wary of getting 2 guitars with the same finish. If I ever get a 4003 bass it will be Jetglo though.

After playing my Les Paul and Rick last night, I see why people say Rick are hard to solo on. The Les Paul is easier to solo on, can't put my finger on why, but it just is. Still I am not having as much trouble as I expected doing some lead runs on the Rick. The HBE plank cranker is great if you want to play any lead on the Rick, it thickens up the sound.

Right now I am planning to take the Rick to the next band practice (which isn't till next week due to the Holiday). I think it will perform well...