Update... today I finally made it to the local Rickenbacker dealer in Portland, OR. He had two 330, two 360, and even... two 370 models! Fantastic assortment to try. Well, after trying about 5 of them it became clear to me... I wasn't making that connection I was hoping for. Man, I tried. They looked beautiful (one of them was a mapleglo). They felt comfortable... but... well... they just didn't make my jaw drop. Don't get me wrong, they had the sound that I was hoping for... I just didn't bond with them. I was going into this thinking the 330 was going to blow my mind (comparing this to my '86 MIJ Fender Strat I've had since new). Not that I expected one of these RICs to do something they had not been intended for... it was just a simple state of not finding the right one. That is how I'm going to approach this. I'm not saying Rickenbacker guitars are not in my future... we just haven't found each other I guess. As premium as the prices these carry, it's best to find the right fit. The quest continues...

Translation: he bought the Epiphone........

bah hahaha... you'd think eh? No sir, I went home, after 3 hours mind you of playing those lovely RICs, empty handed. I've always felt that, after finally having a RIC of my own, there'd be no other guitar for me (I was still going to keep my strat for all other things along side the RIC). I didn't play anything else... only the Rickenbackers. I did see the Epiphone and a couple others there, but I had my blinders on. To be honest, I don't really know where to go from here. I'm thinking that if I had no connection with any of those guitars... that maybe I never will with Rickenbacker. That makes me sad as I've held them in such high regards (and still do). Truth be told... if it doesn't fit... it doesn't fit. I've found you just can't force these things. I'll keep an open mind and try every RIC I come across in the future. I've not ruled them out of my life.

I will say... I had a wonderful evening getting reacquainted with my old '86 Strat. I kind of felt like I was turning my back on my old friend. She's been a trusted companion... never has let me down... and had been the longest relationship I've come to know. OK, I know these are just supposed to be guitars, but... at times... when there was no one else... they can be the most important thing in the world.

Like I said, I'm not giving up on RICs... I'll just hold out until we find each other. Be happy you've made that relationship with yours.

Oh... I was also hoping that there'd be a nice 380L to try, but no luck. I know these are not the same as the 330 sound, but I did want to check them out. I think the hefty price will keep me admiring from afar. Well, that and they're so hard to come by. Any of you have comments on the 380L? What kind of sounds are they known for?

Ever consider taking up the bass?????????

If you get a chance, test drive some RICs from the 600 series. A guitar with more of a Strat sized body like a 620 or a 650, may have a more comfortable, familiar feel.

If you buy a new guitar, get what you really want. Regardless of the brand or price. Or, don't buy anything and just play the crap out of your good old friend.

_________________
Jangle, Chime & Twang.

Modrover, I agree with clint in that you should keep looking until you find the "One", and also like clint said, you might be good to go with your "old friend". You play it like you feel it. You said sometimes your guitar can be very comforting when there just isn't anything else to lean on. Bro, you can come here. Ric or no Ric, we'll keep you busy. Take care, Mark

Time to try a 620 or a 650.

Very true, Modrover. Maybe you'll find "the one", maybe you need to look at other Rickenbacker models. Just because your favorite guitarists use a particular model doesn't mean you'll bond with them too.

I can understand where you're coming from. Like you, I'm a big fan of the Church and got interested in Rickenbackers becuase of Marty Willson-Piper using them. I got a Rickenbacker 360 12-string in 1996 and it's my pride and joy still to this day (no one makes a better electric 12 string guitar!). A few years later I got a 330 6-string after seeing Marty put a few through the ringer and even got a chance to have a chat about guitars with him. I was psyched when I got the 330. I thought I can switch back and forth between the 12 and 6 string and sound just like some of my favorite Church tunes! Nope. The 330 was just was not my thing. I actually prefer playing "Reptile" on my Strat for example. Never bonded with the 330 and traded it long ago for something I'll use more (a Mesa-Boogie Blue Angel 2x10 combo to be exact). Moral of the story is get a guitar that inspires YOU, not just because your guitar hero plays that one.

I haven't written off all other Rickenbackers besides my 12-string, so I've been eyeing the 600 series models...and a bass too:)
Sorry for the long winded post. Good luck to ya!

Update... and boy... I never saw this coming.

So, I did check out the 600 series a bit. Nothing. Not that those models are not nice in their own right, but... they just didn't work for me.

Here's the funny thing... I happened to stop at my local guitar shop. You know, just to kill some time that day. Well, I took a glance at all the Fender stuff on the wall... as usual. Then, I noticed something. There was a lovely 2-tone American Deluxe (with the maple v-neck and S-1 pickup wiring). I noticed there was no sales ticket on it. I asked the sales guy and he told me, "this dude purchased this and then a few months later, and the guitar just sat in the case, he wanted something else." I asked what they planned to sell it for... and it was a lot less than the couple other S-1 models they had hanging... a lot less. Like... $600 less. So, I thought... hmm... I've already got my '86 Strat at home... what the hell do I need another one for? I decided to test drive it anyway. I mean, it sure was beautiful... and it had the v-neck and S-1 pickup configuration... might as well check it out.

Well, it sure felt familiar to me. Then, I plugged her in... Ooo... now those noiseless pickups have a different tone to them... and that S-1 switch (which is nothing like those stupid VG strats) really gave this Strat a different sound... my jaw was beginning to drop... if only a bit. Once into full strumming... that v-neck really felt like a well worn fine leather glove to me. No joke... there's something to those v-necks... at least with my senses there is. I also liked the locking adjusters... and the antique pick guard... and the solid maple neck... and the... then it hit me! This thing's the one! The guitar I've been wanting to treat myself to... to celebrate with... to punctuate my one year cancer free testament.

It was speaking to me... at least... that's how I was taking it. I fought it a bit. I didn't want to be one of those guys who buys a 3-4 of the same guitar because of color... or edition... or some such thing. Thing is... this Strat wasn't like my old Strat. No. This was like my '86 Strat in some regards, but... and here's the odd part... it was like what my '86 Strat might feel like after another 23 years together or something. The new Strat felt THAT much at home with me... like it was made for me. Like I've been playing her all my life. Someone at Fender really gave this one some love when they built her.

So, yes... I purchased ANOTHER Strat! Ha! I never saw that coming. I guess these things... you never do. They just happen. Such is life.

Oh yeah, I called Fender to reg. this in my name. I happened to ask what the built date was for my new friend. They told me, "that was built April, 2008." -cue Twilight Zone music. This was exactly when I found out I had cancer! Talk about a coincidence?!

The fact that this guitar was at the shop... just hanging out (had only been there a couple week days). The fact that it played... no... it talked to me. The fact that it was EXACTLY the combination of finish, tone, features, etc. And... that I the fact that I wasn't looking for this... oh... and that built date... well... I've found my guitar. A connection... relationship was formed. You can't fight these things when they're meant to be.

Just wanted to thank you guys... and let you know how this all played out. I'll still be trying out Rics when I see them at guitar shops... and many other brands as well. Not to be "searching" mind you, but just to try them. For shits and grins. I don't feel that desire... that quest any longer. I've got my old friend (the '86 strat) for hanging out with. The one that's been there for me... that I've fallen back in love with. And... I've got this milestone Strat... this guitar that feels like it was meant just for me. I'm a fortunate man.

Take care... and happy strumming. :^)


PS Yes, in most of the bands that I've grown old with... the ones with the RICs in them... well, there's also been another guy with a Fender playing in the mix as well. I mean, what would The Church be without Peter Koppes? :^)