Who likes Rickenbackers?

[Rainmaker]

Tell me about them. I haven't played one, and whilst I'm not interested in buying one - I want to know what they're like.

Thank you! =)

[fusion101]

I dont like them because well, I'm a lead guitarist I don't like sticky necks and i dont like really bright guitars that sound horrible with distortion. the 650 though is quite good

[Jimbojsr]

I've never played one, but I would like to - a lot of acts that I enjoy have used them (Radiohead, Beatles, Paul Weller), and I think they sound pretty cool for rhythm stuff. Don't like them for lead, though.

[Jeroen]

I like their basses a lot, the only trouble with those is that they sound very gnarly and a bit nasal, due to their lack of bottom end and their very middy character. Perfect if you play dirty rock'n'roll or hardcore punk (I don't) through a distorted amp (preferably even with a pick), but if you mainly need to deliver bottom end that really pushes through, Ricks are not your league. One day I WILL own a 4001 or 4003 though

An example of the middy tone of those 4003's: listen to ANY Yes-song with Chris Squire on bass (but preferably their earlier work, like the great 'Yours Is No Disgrace') to hear what I mean . Or Spock´s Beard (with Dave Meros on bass), although his Rick is a story apart - besides the standard Rickenbacker-electronics, it also has Jazz Bass pickups and electronics, and is switchable between those two cirquits).
Or, if progrock is not your kinda thing, check out Motörhead

[marvar]

All I have owned is the 360/12- and I REALLY tried to like that guitar- but I got rid of it after 5 months- they are beautiful guitars, but way,way way overengineered.
if you want my thoughts and observations I'll be glad to list them for you.

[Rainmaker]

Thanks for the replies guys =)

Jeroen, I know what bass sound you're talking about now - thanks!

marvar, I would appreciate your input

[marvar]

Ever since I was a teenager, I had wanted a 360/12, finally, I was able to afford one, and I sure was disappointed-
1. on the 12 stringers- all they do is take a normal width neck and add six more strings- the normal neck width is the same as a Les Paul. I think the Tom Petty model is a bit wider, but not by much.
Because the strings are so close together- you have to really be articulate in your fingering otherwise, you end up muffling several strings. You have to play as if you had a tennis ball in your hand, and your fingers have to come straight down on the strings.
2. The bridge has 4 adjustments to raise/lower the height- one on every corner of the bridge- a real bear to get adjusted perfectly. This also applies to the six string models.
2a, The factory only supplies a six saddle bridge on the 12 strings- in order to set your intonation you have to order the OPTIONAL 12 saddle bridge- at a cost of 50-70 bucks, and you have to install it yourself.
3. The double truss rod system is almost impossible to figure out, much less adjust correctly.
4. In order to get the Vintage Rick sound, you have to order the OPTIONAL toaster pickups- at a cost of around a hundred bucks-and you also have to install them yourself.
5. Even with the so called Hi-gain pickups, you have to use some sort of pre-amp or compressor to get anything out of them- very weak. The vintage toaster pickups are even weaker!
6. Don't even think about trying to use distortion, it will sound terrible-
7.You have to have the patience of of Job in order to re-string the thing. Both at the neck end, and the tailpiece end.
8. They are a narrow-focus guitar- they are only good for getting the RICK sound- not very usable for much else. (although I have seen Joe Walsh use a six string for slide)
9. It's almost impossible to find a guitar tech that is either competent enough, or willing to work on it for you. There aren't alot of these guitars around, so most techs have no experience with them. Many will screw it up-trying to use the normal set-up tricks.
You would think on a guitar as expensive as these are, that all the OPTIONAL stuff would already be on there.
They are very beautiful guitars to look at. but not a lot of fun to play-unless you have small hands/fingers.

[the guy who invented fire]

I love the tone of a Ric and I think they are beautiful guitars but I can't play one to save my ass...they have got to be the most uncomfoprtable guitars ever made! I can, however play a 4001 bass and I would love to have one, one day...be it bass or guitar NOTHING else EVER sounds like a Ric

[Rainmaker]

Wow thanks for the insight marvar, appreciate it!

[marvar]

-"Work hard,
rock hard,
eat hard,
sleep hard,
grow big,
wear glasses
if you need 'em."

Hey guy who invented fire!!- You gotta appreciate someone that quotes the Webb Wilder Credo-last of the FULL GROWN MEN!!

[the guy who invented fire]

-"Work hard,
rock hard,
eat hard,
sleep hard,
grow big,
wear glasses
if you need 'em."

Hey guy who invented fire!!- You gotta appreciate someone that quotes the Webb Wilder Credo-last of the FULL GROWN MEN!!

KICK ASS!!! Another Wilder fan! Ever seen him live? I cought him in Atlanta last month...very cool show, got to talk to the man himself for a bit...very cool and indeed fullgrown...he's well over 6 feet tall! It was a killer show.

[marvar]

KICK ASS!!! Another Wilder fan! Ever seen him live? I cought him in Atlanta last month...very cool show, got to talk to the man himself for a bit...very cool and indeed fullgrown...he's well over 6 feet tall! It was a killer show.

Well, not trying to hijack the thread-
I used to be a co owner of an audio company here in Knoxville- since Webb is based out of Nashville, I've worked with him 7-8 times, mostly supplying PA and mixing monitors for him when he was here in Ktown-we were on a first name basis- he is just a really unique, lovely guy! always entertaining! and he has some really cool gear! I wish the rest of the world could get a chance to see and appreciate him!
SWAMP-A-DELIC LIVES!!

[Falstaff]

I love my 360-12. The neck is pretty full and it sounds great.

It's in the shop now being set up with flatwounds and tweaked a bit by a local Ric guru. Can't wait to hear it like that through my Janglebox.

[the guy who invented fire]

Well, not trying to hijack the thread-
I used to be a co owner of an audio company here in Knoxville- since Webb is based out of Nashville, I've worked with him 7-8 times, mostly supplying PA and mixing monitors for him when he was here in Ktown-we were on a first name basis- he is just a really unique, lovely guy! always entertaining! and he has some really cool gear! I wish the rest of the world could get a chance to see and appreciate him!
SWAMP-A-DELIC LIVES!!

Thats cool...Im from Knoxville as well but I've been here in GA for a long time now. He really is an amazing person with a real gift...I love his music...all of it. He has a new DVD comming out sometime in 2006 that should be great. I try to sperad the Word Of Wilder everytime I get the chance!

[Pecan]

I like rickenbackers for country popping type of stuff. A guy I know owns one and thats all he plays. I've only ever played two in my life

[saladin]

I've owned two. Both JetGlo 330's, one from the early 70's and a recent 90's version. The one thing I can say about Rickenbacker is great consistancy. Really no changes have been mad to these guitars. Playability is the big issue. Narrow string spacing gave me a hard time, they give off a different resonance which has been talked about in prior posts. Try playing one before you go any further and see if they work for you. I think they are one of the coolest looking guitars ever made.

[The Golden Boy]

One day I WILL own a 4001 or 4003 though

I wanted a 4001 ever since I was a little kid (OK, from around 10). I was in the Army, and home on leave- I had gotten to see Motorhead when I was home on leave. We were talking about the show and how I wanted a Rick at the *****in' Kitchen and this dude in the booth behind us was like "I got a 4001 I'm trying to sell..." It was a natural (turned out to be either a 72 or 74) that looked fantastic. I wanted a maple-glo one, just because of McCartney and Lemmy. The thing was uncomfortable, it never sounded "right" to me and it was kind of doggy to play. But it looked cooler than ****! I hung onto it for around 6 years, and sold it for what I paid for it. I'll try to dig up pictures.

[James Rock]

I dont like them because well, I'm a lead guitarist I don't like sticky necks and i dont like really bright guitars that sound horrible with distortion. the 650 though is quite good

Ok I take it u have never played a 360V64 reissue through a cranked VOX ok ill admit it not les paul distortion but it isn't horrible it is just chimy and more 3d sounding and it won't solo very well (unless u add a good fuzz) but they r great guitars.

[Peter Krasov]

All I have owned is the 360/12- and I REALLY tried to like that guitar- but I got rid of it after 5 months- they are beautiful guitars, but way,way way overengineered.
if you want my thoughts and observations I'll be glad to list them for you.

why did you dislike it? I'm just going to by this guitar!

[Mephis]

I want a fire-glo 330 to hang on my wall and look at, and never play it in fear of not liking it.


Hahaha, thats a Ric.