Irrational desire for Rickenbacker 660

[TF from MN]

If I trade in this and that, I could swing this Rickenbacker 660, found at Willie's, a local guitar boutique.

Expensive and unnecessary! Any drawbacks, from the knowledgeable? Thank you.

 

[Tricone]

The only drawback I can think of........no, I have nothing. Those are sweet sounding and looking guitars. Not the everyday garden variety of Strats,Teles,PRS clones seen so often.
If all the bills are paid, everybody fed,you can afford it, and won't miss what you are trading, why wouldn't you?

 

[Mr. St. Paul]

I'm in St. Paul, so I just looked at the listing. I'd like to try it out, just because I've never played a 660. So every Ric I've ever played has had too narrow of a nut width for my fingers. A bit pricy for my tastes, but if you can swing it and it speaks to you, go for it!

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I'm in St. Paul,

I knew it.

 

[JDB2]

A drawback for me is that the bound edge hurts my forearm on the small bodied 620 style Ricks. I searched out a 1990s 610 to avoid that.

 

[mandoloony]

My only complaint about the 660 is the neck profile - it's like a 2x4, and I find it painful to play. I'd pick a 620 over a 660 any day of the week - but of course your preference may be totally different.

 

[theprofessor]

If it's comfortable for you to play, then I say go for it. It's one of the most beautiful guitars in existence. They really do know what they're doing in designing a guitar for aesthetics! I really wish I could play it myself. Let us know what happens!

 

[Wallaby]

I was only able to come up with an emoji earlier before thinking about this became exhausting.

There aren't any drawbacks, except you'll have to post photos later

 

[Lunch meat]

I have to agree with Mandolooney. I played one that was like using a lap steel Spanish style. Don’t know if they’re all like that, but some examples are.

 

[Peegoo]

@TF from MN

It's worth checking out.

Back when I got this in 2007 Rickenbacker did not include neck specs on the hang tag. Up to that point I had played a bunch that had necks either too thin, too narrow, etc. Neck size appeared not to be associated with the models they offered.

This one was right in The Goldilocks Zone, so I tossed the cash in the counter.

I used it on a session at the PRS studio, and one of my pals suggested I hang it in one of the display cabinets to see if would set off any alarms. Sadly...nope.

 

[gitold]

I had a 330 for years. Didn’t really like the high output pickups and the skinny neck but it was so pretty I hung on to it and played it occasionally. Wildwood gave me a good trade in price on a PRS I wanted so bye bye Ricky. Regretted it instantly and set off looking for another Rick. When I found out the 660 had toasters and a wide neck I narrowed my search. Bought this new for Christmas in 2021 from MF for $1800. Don’t ask me how. I called and they gave me a deal. It’s a keeper, sounds and plays great and looks tremendous! You will have to get used to the gloss finished neck but I sure love mine. Get a good compressor and you’ll get “that sound”. Good luck.

 

[theprofessor]

I had a 330 for years. Didn’t really like the high output pickups and the skinny neck but it was so pretty I hung on to it and played it occasionally. Wildwood gave me a good trade in price on a PRS I wanted so bye bye Ricky. Regretted it instantly and set off looking for another Rick. When I found out the 660 had toasters and a wide neck I narrowed my search. Bought this new for Christmas in 2021 from MF for $1800. Don’t ask me how. I called and they gave me a deal. It’s a keeper, sounds and plays great and looks tremendous! You will have to get used to the gloss finished neck but I sure love mine. Get a good compressor and you’ll get “that sound”. Good luck.View attachment 1111086

That is truly a thing of beauty!

 

[Chuckster]

I recently traded in my 330-12 for my dream guitar and have zero regrets. The nut was so narrow that playing it was like learning an entirely different instrument.

I have a 360-6 that is just perfect so it fills the void. I will consider a 360-12 or a V64 in the future though.

That said, I think you should go for it. Life is way too f*********** short.

 

[knavel]

Any drawbacks, from the knowledgeable?

Dealing with Rickenbacker.

If you buy it you have to send them physically the warranty card before they will honor any claim. Note that their five year warranty starts on the date the guitar is made not the day you buy it. I think finish is under warranty for only one year.

Also if that model has the vintage Kluson looking "Ric Deluxe" tuners on it make sure they work properly. The company had Schaller making them from around 2012 and the quality went steadily downhill but relatively recently they got Gotoh making them again. If you come across Schallers like the ones that came with my Rose Morris 1993 Plus you will know them right away--it isn't a tolerable amount of play you have to feel like you are drop tuning a step before the tuners engage the strings.

That said I bought three Rickenbackers made in 2021 and I particularly love that Rose Morris bigger neck but all three are just gorgeous and awesome (4003S bass and 360/12c63 are the others). I record with them a fair bit it's just where my musical heart sits and the sound often seems to suit my 60s pop predilections.

 

[WillyWonky]

10 month wait and my 620 is due in friday... I'd prefer a 660, but ya gotta get what's available...

Love my 650D

 

[Peegoo]

Toasters are not much of a departure from the tone of the 'button-tops' on the model 610 posted by @JDB2 above. Many players assume they're a humbucker due to their similarity in appearance to a Filtertron.

Button-tops and toasters are a Fender style single-coil construction (alnico slug poles) but with a wide, flat bobbin similar to a Gibson P90. Here's a gut shot.

 

[bettyseldest]

I would love to try a 660/12 to see if the slightly wider neck would make it playable for me. I have tried the 620/6 and liked the sound, and the 620/12, but the neck was too narrow for me. The 620 has the R tailpiece which is notorious for failing, the 660 has the not so attractive but more stable version. If you have the money go for the 660.

I have had the 650S since 2004, humbuckers rather than toasters, and rounded edges to the quite small lightweight body. Chunky neck which feels great to me. Good to have something of quality which is different.

 

[soul-o]

This strikes me as very rational.

 

[mixmkr 2024]

OT....Ask me why I did this.
I'd take a 6 or 12 now....not that picky.