Glad to hear you found the guitar you were looking for. I can understand your choice, I too am a Strat lover. I just love RICs a little more.

RIC or no RIC, feel free to stop by and say hello any old time.

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Jangle, Chime & Twang.

Thanks mate! Yes, it truly has been a wonderful adventure... finding that guitar. I've had it for a bit now and I've no remorse about it. I'm still a bit disappointed that I didn't bond with a RIC, but... such is life.

However, my tastes in 12 strings still remains strong! :^)

I don't think I'll be buying an electric 12-string RIC though. They're lovely, but bit narrow for me. I've also tried the 12-string Stratocaster... it too is a bit narrow for my liking.

I did pick up a very nice used 12-string S 12+ Seagull acoustic. It's strung with Elixer strings and brass retainers... so it's got the warmth of the Seagull with a bit of bright jangle as well.

Oh yeah, I also picked up a Alvarez 12-string acoustic/electric used. Good deal on it... and it's got such a nice bright jangle (in the solo Marty Willson-Piper feel) that I couldn't let it go.

So, what's next? Not sure really. I'm not really on the hunt and... my wife still doesn't understand that every guitar has it's own voice. Ha!

Before you write off the neck of a RIC 12-string as being too narrow, the 660-12 has a 1 3/4 inch nut.

Hmm... it's been a loooooooooong time!

Time for an update. Why? I mean, didn't I find love with an American Deluxe S-1 V-Neck Strat? Well, yes... but... it was passing. bah hahahaha... I've learned that my true love is still that old 1986 Strat that's been with me all these years... and... wait for it...


I GOT A RIC!!!! HELL YEAH!

Which one? Oddly enough, not one I had even considered as it's a bit of an odd-duck... I found a lovely 1976 430 finished in brown.

It's stock... and unmolested as far as I can tell. It's such a odd guitar that I fell head-over-heels for it! No joke! Sure, there's some dents here and there, but that just adds to it's history no? YES!

A guy, who works at a local music shop, was selling by me. I had asked him if he'd come down in price, but he said he's got a lot of interest so... no. However, as I'm a squeaky-wheel about these things... I called him back a week later. Guess what? Those other suckas flaked on him. He took my asking price (yes, I know it's not allowed to post that so I'm not). Let's just say, for the price of a new MIM Strat... I GOT A REAL BONA FIDE USA BUILT RIC! Vintage no less! Score!

I tell you what... this was along side one of the dudes from Fender back then right? Can't remember his name, but you can sure tell this was aimed at the Tele market. Nice solid body it has.

The pickups are really nice. Not sure how to describe them actually... bright and full comes to mind though. There's that RIC jangle in there as well. :^)

Now, the neck? This has got to be the strangest thing about this guitar. It's flat... like... no arch or curve to the fret board. You almost get the feeling that it's curved the opposite way! Ha! It's odd, but cool... and plays chords really well. I don't think this would be good at all for those thrasher headbang'n dudes... shredding won't go so fast here. Now, if you're into The Church (Marty Willson-Piper), The Ramones, The Smiths, old REM... you're in business!

The body has a nice balance to it. Not as balanced as my Jaguar, but feels pretty close to a Strat. I like it.

Anyway, I had to share that with you lot. A lot of you had given me some great advice on RICs with this post. I felt you deserved an update... the least I could do!

So... now I'm going to pick your guys/gals brains about the ins and outs of the Rickenbacker 430. :^D

Cheers,
Modrover

Wow, what a cool journey--good that you've been true to your heart through it. Congrats on ALL the guitars that you love, and I certainly hope your cancer is improving/arrested.

RIC made a number of interesting designs that not everyone knows about today. It's cool you found a 430 to sit alongside your Strats. I love the idea that the fingerboard is flat--when I have set up my Rics for pickup height I have noticed they actually do pretty well with even distance between all strings, even with some radius. Which is definitely different from Fenders, that are designed to have more distance between the pickup and the larger strings. The idea to have a flat fingerboard is an idea that some would really appreciate, although I'm sure it varies a lot. A curved fingerboard is definitely the norm. A lot of luthiers have told me that fretless bassists tend to ask for flat fingerboards... I'm okay with mine being radiused for now.

Anyways, congrats. :)

Hey, thank you. Yeah, that flat fretboard is really odd. I'd say for jazz picking and the like... it'd actually be fine. The moment you start getting cocky with the finger bends... you better be ready for a fight! hahaha... that isn't this guitars' forte. Great for chords though.

I'm sure flying in the clouds with this 430. Who'd a thunk? I remember thinking I'd never own a proper Rickenbacker. And a proper RIC this is! I really like the feel of these. For me, I wouldn't trade this for any of the other models I've tried. Plus... there's just so much sweet 70s vibe oozing from it! :^)

Update: I'm still love'n my 430! That simple slab is just the mutt's nuts! My favorite setting on her dials... middle toggle position... neck volume at halfway and bridge volume cranked (both tones set bright). Great original sounding tone!

Anyway, thought I'd just pop back in after all this time and say that. :v)

I love my 430 too...

Although I wish this model had been wired like a 620 with a blend knob! I miss the blend knob...

But they are great guitars and are one of the most inexpensive Rickenbackers around...

Congrats from Ontario...

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Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620

Amps -
78 TR7
83 TR25

I've seen Townshend live - treating a Rickenbacker 330 (in 1966 I think it was) and I can assure you that it's not so easy to destroy it. It was smashed several times into the floor before (smaller) things began to happen - which means that it's gonna last a lifetime if used as - a guitar. A Tele body made of Northern Ash will take the stresses of a steam train falling down on it from the Eiffel Tower. But we don't really need that, do we?