Comments on: REVIEW: The Rickenbacker 620 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/ News, Reviews, And Commentary On The Latest Guitars & Guitar Gear. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:47:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: I A http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-60027 I A Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:18:24 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-60027 I recently acquired a Rickenbacker 620, after having played Mosrites and Fenders for some time. I have had the privilege of playing some excellent vintage and modern variants of some great guitars, but always wanted a non-hollow-bodied Rickenbacker, as I find their sound most pleasing to my ears. The 620 is the most beautiful sounding guitar I have ever played and I cannot put this thing down. The craftsmanship is impecable, and the instrument feels very well built and comfortable. It is small enough for me to carry to work in its case and I play it for two hours every day at the very least. In fact, when I am at work, I cannot wait for my lunch break to go out and play it. Plugged in, it offers a variety of tones, and I do find its warm tone very pleasing. With a bit of distortion it works out as a great instrument for punk music, but i like playing it clean, and it sounds excellent as a rhythm instument. With some flat wound strings and lots of reverb, this thing actually sounds awesome as a surf guitar, I kid you not. Playing lead is pretty cool since the 620 sounds very sweet and it even makes dissonance sound harmoniously sweet, which is a weird but true thing to say. The 620 sounds very piano-like and it is just a privilege to sit and play an instrument that sounds so good. Some may have problem with its narrow neck, and if you have big hands, Rickenbacker's will not be easy to play so play one before you buy it. I personally like the narrow neck, my hands are average in size so I have no trouble playing it, and the binding of the neck and the glossy finish on the fretboard all help create that glacial Rickenbacker sound. The neck-through body design makes helps this gutar sustain pretty well, and the tuning is as stable as it gets. I hae had mine for six weeks, and I take it to work with me everyday, I usually only tune it once a week, and it manages to stay in tune throughout the week, so I think this would make a very reliable gigging instrument. This is one of my favourite guitars, and I would never trade or sell it. In fact, i can easily use this as my main instrument, but here is another view. The Rickenbacker 620 will not suit every taste because they do not always deliver the kind of sound you associate with certain genres/musical style. I mean, for those looking to use it in a death metal band, or for heavier forms of rock, it would definitelt not sound the way you expect guitars to sound on that kind of outfit. Also, for some, maybe it would sound a little too thin as a lead instrument, but that will only bother those people who probably do not like the Rickenbacker sound in any case. I actually like using instruments in contexts they have not been used before and sometimes it is great to find that the new territory discovered has made a refreshing change from the boring predictability that comes with some genres of music. I personally love the Rickenbacker sound. I would gladly play this as a lead instrument, and as such have no hesitation in recommending the 620 because it would bring such joy into yourlife. This thing is so addictive, i can't put it down, and although I am not saying the Fenders and Mosrites I have played were not equally as fun to play, the Rickenbacker feels Deluxe, and that is the ony way it should be. Get it before it becomes discontinued. As a side note, I have heard people ask me whether this is the model Susanna Hoffs plays, and though I do not know what model she actually uses, I believe it is a customised 350, a signature model, of which only a handful were manufactured in the late 80s. It was definitely not a 620, though it was very similar, featuring toaster pick-ups instead of the High Gains. As one of the premiere pop star of the 80s who played so beautifully on so many classic recordings, it is great to know that she also used a Rickenbacker, which most definitely helped The Bangles sound so cool. The 620 sounds quite similar to hers, and anyone who likes the 80s pop music sound may also like to give this model a try. I recently acquired a Rickenbacker 620, after having played Mosrites and Fenders for some time. I have had the privilege of playing some excellent vintage and modern variants of some great guitars, but always wanted a non-hollow-bodied Rickenbacker, as I find their sound most pleasing to my ears. The 620 is the most beautiful sounding guitar I have ever played and I cannot put this thing down. The craftsmanship is impecable, and the instrument feels very well built and comfortable. It is small enough for me to carry to work in its case and I play it for two hours every day at the very least. In fact, when I am at work, I cannot wait for my lunch break to go out and play it. Plugged in, it offers a variety of tones, and I do find its warm tone very pleasing. With a bit of distortion it works out as a great instrument for punk music, but i like playing it clean, and it sounds excellent as a rhythm instument. With some flat wound strings and lots of reverb, this thing actually sounds awesome as a surf guitar, I kid you not. Playing lead is pretty cool since the 620 sounds very sweet and it even makes dissonance sound harmoniously sweet, which is a weird but true thing to say. The 620 sounds very piano-like and it is just a privilege to sit and play an instrument that sounds so good. Some may have problem with its narrow neck, and if you have big hands, Rickenbacker’s will not be easy to play so play one before you buy it. I personally like the narrow neck, my hands are average in size so I have no trouble playing it, and the binding of the neck and the glossy finish on the fretboard all help create that glacial Rickenbacker sound. The neck-through body design makes helps this gutar sustain pretty well, and the tuning is as stable as it gets. I hae had mine for six weeks, and I take it to work with me everyday, I usually only tune it once a week, and it manages to stay in tune throughout the week, so I think this would make a very reliable gigging instrument.
This is one of my favourite guitars, and I would never trade or sell it. In fact, i can easily use this as my main instrument, but here is another view. The Rickenbacker 620 will not suit every taste because they do not always deliver the kind of sound you associate with certain genres/musical style. I mean, for those looking to use it in a death metal band, or for heavier forms of rock, it would definitelt not sound the way you expect guitars to sound on that kind of outfit. Also, for some, maybe it would sound a little too thin as a lead instrument, but that will only bother those people who probably do not like the Rickenbacker sound in any case. I actually like using instruments in contexts they have not been used before and sometimes it is great to find that the new territory discovered has made a refreshing change from the boring predictability that comes with some genres of music. I personally love the Rickenbacker sound. I would gladly play this as a lead instrument, and as such have no hesitation in recommending the 620 because it would bring such joy into yourlife. This thing is so addictive, i can’t put it down, and although I am not saying the Fenders and Mosrites I have played were not equally as fun to play, the Rickenbacker feels Deluxe, and that is the ony way it should be. Get it before it becomes discontinued.

As a side note, I have heard people ask me whether this is the model Susanna Hoffs plays, and though I do not know what model she actually uses, I believe it is a customised 350, a signature model, of which only a handful were manufactured in the late 80s. It was definitely not a 620, though it was very similar, featuring toaster pick-ups instead of the High Gains. As one of the premiere pop star of the 80s who played so beautifully on so many classic recordings, it is great to know that she also used a Rickenbacker, which most definitely helped The Bangles sound so cool. The 620 sounds quite similar to hers, and anyone who likes the 80s pop music sound may also like to give this model a try.

]]> By: Mike Lindgren http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-59339 Mike Lindgren Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:33:49 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-59339 It is an utter mystery to me why you don't see more people playing 620s. In fact the only people I can think of are Fogerty back in the heyday of CCR and Tom Petty's sideman Mike Campbell. It's very playable and gets great honky twangy sounds clean and nice sustain and growl overdriven. I can bend notes on the high frets almost all the way across the neck. Distinctive sound, soft touch. Game-changing guitar. It is an utter mystery to me why you don’t see more people playing 620s. In fact the only people I can think of are Fogerty back in the heyday of CCR and Tom Petty’s sideman Mike Campbell. It’s very playable and gets great honky twangy sounds clean and nice sustain and growl overdriven. I can bend notes on the high frets almost all the way across the neck. Distinctive sound, soft touch. Game-changing guitar.

]]> By: Eoin Stewart http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-59094 Eoin Stewart Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:42:45 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-59094 I invested (yep, I'd call any Rick an investment) in a 620 about a month ago. To be honest I'd never seen one up close. I'm primarily a bass player and my Rick experience has been with 4001s and 4003s (the best basses on the market from my perspective). The 620 has firmed up my belief that Rickenbacker continues its legacy as superior guitar makers. I've played Fenders, Gibsons, and Epiphones (hollow bodies). NOTHING comes close to this. With looks and performance this baby is a "race horse." I invested (yep, I’d call any Rick an investment) in a 620 about a month ago. To be honest I’d never seen one up close. I’m primarily a bass player and my Rick experience has been with 4001s and 4003s (the best basses on the market from my perspective). The 620 has firmed up my belief that Rickenbacker continues its legacy as superior guitar makers. I’ve played Fenders, Gibsons, and Epiphones (hollow bodies). NOTHING comes close to this. With looks and performance this baby is a “race horse.”

]]> By: Alex http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-56120 Alex Sat, 31 May 2008 12:32:08 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-56120 until i read these reviews, i wasn't quite sure to get a 330 or a 620, but i think i'm going to go for the warmer sound of the 620. Thanks guys!! until i read these reviews, i wasn’t quite sure to get a 330 or a 620, but i think i’m going to go for the warmer sound of the 620. Thanks guys!!

]]> By: Reno http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-55694 Reno Fri, 02 May 2008 12:04:06 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-55694 Anyone looking for tone-full, classy sixties looking and real accurate sounding instrument should a least have a try on this little beast and ricks in general. Had a 620 for 6 months : great great full-scale-low-action-fast (a little narrow when you have sweat on a gibson !?) neck, extra sustain (partially due to body-thrue neck building ?), supra sexy look (what's rock n roll is about, nu ?) .. i said to myself : my research has gone... but .. what made me trade it ? Here it is : i am rather tall (1,85 m) and could not find a nice real comfortable position when playing and singing standing with my long arms on this small body.. my 8 yr son and wife even told me once "looks alike a child's guitar on you".. i looked in the mirror : they were true (as often). So decided to trade for a superb flamed neck natural body 330. What i lost : - stereo output (never tried, never heard a ric' friend trying it here in europe..) - a little sustain i guess but maybe need an extra set up of the 330 What i gained : - half-chambered tone (in that register, noticed 330 is hollower than 360) - full comfort of size and perfectly contoured for me By the way : anybody knowing a good ric specialist in France (west) ? or any suggestion on the proper way to set up the double acting truss rod ? scares me a bit.. Anyone looking for tone-full, classy sixties looking and real accurate sounding instrument should a least have a try on this little beast and ricks in general.
Had a 620 for 6 months : great great full-scale-low-action-fast (a little narrow when you have sweat on a gibson !?) neck, extra sustain (partially due to body-thrue neck building ?), supra sexy look (what’s rock n roll is about, nu ?) .. i said to myself : my research has gone… but .. what made me trade it ?
Here it is : i am rather tall (1,85 m) and could not find a nice real comfortable position when playing and singing standing with my long arms on this small body.. my 8 yr son and wife even told me once “looks alike a child’s guitar on you”.. i looked in the mirror : they were true (as often).
So decided to trade for a superb flamed neck natural body 330.
What i lost :
- stereo output (never tried, never heard a ric’ friend trying it here in europe..)
- a little sustain i guess but maybe need an extra set up of the 330
What i gained :
- half-chambered tone (in that register, noticed 330 is hollower than 360)
- full comfort of size and perfectly contoured for me

By the way : anybody knowing a good ric specialist in France (west) ? or any suggestion on the proper way to set up the double acting truss rod ? scares me a bit..

]]> By: Scott http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-52638 Scott Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:30:01 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-52638 I've got to say by way of confirmation that I experienced pure hell with restringing my 370/12 (McGuinn copy) when I first got it, but later learned that like a fine lady you have to meet IT's specifications before it can meet yours. If you do change one string at a time, and do reset the bridge to accommodate the slight differences in the strings mounted, it's not such a labor and the results are extremely gratifying, and with a string placement just above buzz level it not only nearly plays itself but sings while doing it. I just placed a set of Elixir bronze 12's on it, and the overtones on this piece fill the room even without amplification. These are amazing guitars! I’ve got to say by way of confirmation that I experienced pure hell with restringing my 370/12 (McGuinn copy) when I first got it, but later learned that like a fine lady you have to meet IT’s specifications before it can meet yours. If you do change one string at a time, and do reset the bridge to accommodate the slight differences in the strings mounted, it’s not such a labor and the results are extremely gratifying, and with a string placement just above buzz level it not only nearly plays itself but sings while doing it. I just placed a set of Elixir bronze 12′s on it, and the overtones on this piece fill the room even without amplification. These are amazing guitars!

]]> By: Steven http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-49387 Steven Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:57:26 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-49387 Rickenbacker makes the best guitar you can possibly have. No question about it. Trade in a PRS or ESP and get a real guitar. Go Rickenbacker! Rickenbacker makes the best guitar you can possibly have. No question about it. Trade in a PRS or ESP and get a real guitar. Go Rickenbacker!

]]> By: Paul Vallance http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-39836 Paul Vallance Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:23:15 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-39836 For playability, action and range of sound the 620 is the best electric guitar i have owned. It's more than just a guitar.. it's a work of art! My only real concern is that it's a bitch to restring and then settle. Newbies to Ricks need to consider that instead of lacquer, theres wax..... which can be annoying if you don't buff the neck as it becomes restrictive. If your into serious picking there's quite a distance between the bridge and the body... so it's difficult to get a steady purchase with the right hand..I find i have to give up little and ring finger for this purpose... but what the heck... this guitar will open up new vistas in your ability and confidence... guaranteed For playability, action and range of sound the 620 is the best electric guitar i have owned. It’s more than just a guitar.. it’s a work of art! My only real concern is that it’s a bitch to restring and then settle. Newbies to Ricks need to consider that instead of lacquer, theres wax….. which can be annoying if you don’t buff the neck as it becomes restrictive. If your into serious picking there’s quite a distance between the bridge and the body… so it’s difficult to get a steady purchase with the right hand..I find i have to give up little and ring finger for this purpose… but what the heck… this guitar will open up new vistas in your ability and confidence… guaranteed

]]> By: Mark http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-30786 Mark Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:46:47 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-30786 I haven't had the pleasure to play the 660, but I have a 620, and it is my favorite guitar right now. I also own a Gibson SG, and surprisingly, the Rick can get much darker than the Gibson. It sounds dead on when I play a bit of Cream on it. At the same time, it can almost sound like a strat, but not quite. I have to say that its the best guitar i've played so far. I haven’t had the pleasure to play the 660, but I have a 620, and it is my favorite guitar right now. I also own a Gibson SG, and surprisingly, the Rick can get much darker than the Gibson. It sounds dead on when I play a bit of Cream on it. At the same time, it can almost sound like a strat, but not quite. I have to say that its the best guitar i’ve played so far.

]]> By: Luch http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-20429 Luch Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:17:36 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-20429 Hi there! I felt in love with Rickys when I first saw a 660/6 midnight blue model in the uk. Till that moment I can't think of anything else! Making some research on the web I figured out that there's no big difference between the 620 & the 660. The one thing that bothers me about the 620 is the tailpiece though I prefer the neck width compared to the 660. The other thing is the difference in the type of pickups. Since I couldn't manage to compare the sound of these 2 models: can someone please tell me the difference in sound between the 660 Vintage Reissue pickups & the 620 Hi gain pickups? Thanks! Hi there!
I felt in love with Rickys when I first saw a 660/6 midnight blue model in the uk. Till that moment I can’t think of anything else! Making some research on the web I figured out that there’s no big difference between the 620 & the 660. The one thing that bothers me about the 620 is the tailpiece though I prefer the neck width compared to the 660. The other thing is the difference in the type of pickups. Since I couldn’t manage to compare the sound of these 2 models: can someone please tell me the difference in sound between the 660 Vintage Reissue pickups & the 620 Hi gain pickups?
Thanks!

]]> By: Scott http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-17133 Scott Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:23:25 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-17133 Mine's a '65 620. It was in very rough shape when I got it four years ago, and unfortunately the idiot who had it before had routed out the holes for the pickups and yanked the frets, so now it's got semi-jumbos, and hot Seymour Duncans. I took it to the local music store (Alto in Poughkeepsie) and they said it was like a '57 Chevy with twin four barrels. It's a road warrior, but I wouldn't trade it. Mine’s a ’65 620. It was in very rough shape when I got it four years ago, and unfortunately the idiot who had it before had routed out the holes for the pickups and yanked the frets, so now it’s got semi-jumbos, and hot Seymour Duncans. I took it to the local music store (Alto in Poughkeepsie) and they said it was like a ’57 Chevy with twin four barrels. It’s a road warrior, but I wouldn’t trade it.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-10856 Aaron Fri, 25 May 2007 05:57:42 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-10856 Hahaha, Joe. Hahaha,
Joe.

]]> By: Alan http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-10744 Alan Wed, 23 May 2007 09:20:30 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-10744 Glad I read these reviews you guys have just made my mind up, was going to get a 360, but now am getting the 620, I play alot of picking so this is the guitar for me. Glad I read these reviews you guys have just made my mind up, was going to get a 360, but now am getting the 620, I play alot of picking so this is the guitar for me.

]]> By: joe caldwell http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-9635 joe caldwell Tue, 01 May 2007 08:11:24 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-9635 bagged myself a 620 about a two months ago and its the hardest guitar to put down it looks better than my girlfriend and i have more fun with it for sure bagged myself a 620 about a two months ago and its the hardest guitar to put down it looks better than my girlfriend and i have more fun with it for sure

]]> By: Cary http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/comment-page-1/#comment-3787 Cary Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:13:13 +0000 http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/06/19/review-the-rickenbacker-620/#comment-3787 Heck yes :) Heck yes :)

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