Rickenbacker 340

Typical Ric features, with a middle pick-up. I changed the wiring configuration so that the small blend knob is now a volume knob for the middle pick-up. It gives me a few more options if I feel like trying out different PU combinations. I got this with the stock Ric Hi-Gain single coils and have been toying around with swapping them out for Ric Humbuckers...But after playing it for the first 20 minutes, decided not to.
I bought this one new in '05, after waiting waited a year for it, and definately was not dissapointed. With Ric guitars, you either like them or you don't, and I've always loved my Ric's. I had planned on getting the 370 model, but there's just something about the retro body shape of a 330 in Fireglow that grabs me. The Fireglow finish is probably the most popular and recognizable of all Ric's finishes, and there's a reason for it...Damn sexy! Love the high gloss, too!

In the past 30+ years of playing in bar bands, my Ric's have always had the sound that suited my style. I've played country, southern rock and top 40 stuff without ever feeling like I needed a different guitar, and this one is no exception. In fack with the middle pick-up I can get a those Strat "out of phaze" sounds with the mid/neck and mid bridge PU's. For a two PC sound I just turn down the volume on the mid PU and put the selector in the center position.
My primary amp is a Peavey Classic 50-212, but I recently purchased one of the Vox ad120vt hybrid deals that everyone seems to be having trouble with as far as reliability. So far, so good and the Ric still sounds great through both.
It will howl and squeal if you use a lot of overdrive, or over the top gain, but then it IS a hollow body guitar.
Nice bright sound, but it can get enough low end for my wants and needs.
I don't use too many effects as a rule, but the 340 sounds nice with a Boss chorus, Boss Bluesbreaker, and Boss Digital delay.
Likes? Way too many to list here. I'm a Ric lover and always will be. The only minor dislike I had with this guitar was that the neck seemed a little sticky after working up a sweat, but a few quick shots of Fingerease from time to time takes care of it.

As with almost every ric I've owned, they come from the factory needing very little, if any fine tuning. I monkeyed around with the PU hight, filed out the string slots in the nut a little (very little) and tweaked the intonation. All in all it took about 20 minutes to fool around with something that really diddn't need fooling with...But I'm picky, and it was a rainy day, so what the heck? Ric sends you all the info you need to make adjustments on your new guitar in the owners manual.
The finish is impeccable, the balance is perfect, everything screwed or glued is rock solid.

When you first pick up one of these semi-hollow gems you'd think "Gawd! This thing is light! I'd better be careful!" as with any guitar, Pete Townsend-like activity won't make it last longer than judicious care and handling. My 340 has had it's share of bumps, drops, general weekend gig misshaps, but still says in tune, plays well, and looks great. Did I mention that it's light? By the end of fourth set, it's STILL light!
The chrome has never tarnished, and I tend to sweat profusely when playing. I make it a point to wipe everything down at the end of the night, but from time to time I don't get to doing any cosmetic maintanance for a day or two. I've owned mid priced guitars where the chrome finish was non-exsistant after a few months, but still no problems with the Ric.
I haven't snapped a string yet when playing out, but I STILL bring a back up guitar just in case. Another ric, of course.
For some, the skinny neck, laminated fretboard, and low profile frets would be a turn-off, but as I mentioned, you either like 'em or not. It's never been an issue with me.

Never needed to get a Ric repaired at the factory. What little bit I've needed to have done, I've done myself. As far as the warrenty, I honestly don't know what and how much it covers. Never needed to.
As far as dealing with the company, if you have a problem, try thr Ric forum on their website. There's always someone who can give you advice, and more often than not, Mr. Hall himself is the one giving it.

I've been playing for over 30 years and have owned several Ric guitars, and a plethora of amps. At this time I just have the Vox and the Peavey for amps. For guitars, I own a '57 LP Junior, a Nashville Power Tele, An old Hagstrom Viking, Hamer Special, Ric 650s. In the past I've owned a Ric 350SH, 360v64, and a 360. Never should have sold then, but hindsight is 20/20, right?
If it were stolen, I'd definately buy a new one even though there's two year wait on a new one, if your dealer doesn't have one in stock...But then it would give me some time to pay it off before it comes in.
Favorite feature? Playability, sound, and of course the LOOK.
The last think I'd like to add is this; Mr. Hall was asked once why he didn't contract out to a foreign nation to build a less expensive line of guitars. (Think Vox, Hofner, Gibson, Fender, etc.) His answer was "We need the jobs here in the US."

natural. Blond. Perfect grain in wood.

Has the distinctive rickbacker sound. Chimes!

Perfect set up. Unique in every way.

Reliable and if my life depended on it, I know this axe won't me let me down.

I've never needed customer support.

Been playing for 17 years and have a few nice guitars. I now only buy good guitars because i have gone through so much crap that i thought i'll buy something good this time to last a life time. This guitar is awesome and is my most prized possession. An awesome thing to own. I've had it since around 1999 and still everytime i open the case to get it out for a play, there's that beautiful rickenbacker chocolate smell. This is a great guitar.

1984 model. JetGlo. 3 Ric Hi-gains, Kluson pegs, 3 way toggle, matchstick neck. All the traditional goodies that go into making up a classic Rickenbacker. Came with a beaten up old case. I'm sure the Ric site will fill in anything I've missed.

This is the part that confused me when I first got it. I ran this beauty through an old Hi-Watt in the shop when I tried it and elicited some truly memorable tones. But when I got it home and started doing my noodling/research, although I loved every aspect of it, I had a hard time "identifying" with the sounds until I backed off the bass volume and tone no more than a 3/4s and cranked the JC120 amp up a dash. Then it SANG to me! After that, of course, I set about destroying the sound all over again through my old ZOom GFX8, a PODXTLive, my ancient KORDG A4 and 30 years of collected stompboxes. Stil it sounded better and better. Very malleable and open to new sounds. Beautifully set up by God knows how many previous owners, this 340 is literally a darker horse than it's siblings - the 330 and 360. Must be that third pickup but the whole thing sounds fuller and darker than those models. Very, very versatile.

Since I have no agenda or style - other than sonically strangling everything I touch, this beast made me quite thoughtful about what I wanted. And I like a guitar that makes you think. Only thing I don't love is the JetGlo. Small sacrifice, I'll admit. But the sound and playability are nigh on perfect. Perhaps one day, I'll change from Hi-Gain to toasters but until then, I suspect there are years of tweezing with this guitar.

Action's low. At first I thought the top E pup coils were weak but over a couple of weeks and intuitive poodling, I somehow came across that classic Ric jangle with strong top end but a goodly growl as well. I bought it 2nd hand so it's been dinged a little bit, which is fine because I own a 360 (immaculate Turquoise) that I'm too scared to do anything with other than home recording. To a degree, this 340 looks like it's been through the wars and enjoys it. All sounds are strong. A bit of hum from the pots but no biggy. Neck, lacquer and finish still excellent on the neck. Anything from surf to mid 60s Beatles, to Jam, Clash, Talking Heads (yes, with a bit of noodling, I can mangle this as well as Belew could his beaten up old Strat) right through to today's stuff and originals. What a load of bollocks that Rics don't do lead! In terms of neck, this one isn't too far behind some Les Pauls I've played with as much headroom on tone. Oddly, this thing loves my Ebow. It lends itself to experiments which is something I never associate with purebreeds like Rickenbackers.

I can't comment whether this baby is built to last as long as any other instrument but I'm not at all scared of taking it out for a good workout. I do suspect this one has enough scuffs and chips to have doubled as a blunt murder instrument in a previous life, but surprisingly I WOULD use this at a one axe gig if I had to because it has a broader pallette than most Rics I've played. The only thing to guard against are the Gain/Fuzz/Overdrive brigade. It gets squealy if you put too much through it. But oh that feeling through the woodwork.

Haven't needed it. And frankly, I hope it doesn't come to that. I hear again and again how Rickenbacker seem to hate the world at the moment and especially anyone who so much as dares to accuse them of shoddy workmanship. This thing is old enough and scarfed enough so that some of the luthiers around Sydney could probably do a great job without the heartache and steep transport costs.

Beatles or Stones? Cooper or Bowie? Rickenbacker or ...? You either love 'em or hate 'em but one thing I've discovered in 30 years of playing is that nobody really knows why. It can't be the mystique because even non-musicians flock to pick this guitar up. Nor the playability because even the best Rics I've played demand a certain courtship before they let you get to first base, as it were. To me, when they're on (like this one and my 360), they're immortal. When they're off, they're satan spawn (like my old 360/12). A beautiful and an inspired sound but impossibly demanding. I'm still in the habit of picking up any old thing in every music shop I pass and this is an age of wonderful instruments from all over the globe. Period.

But when I think of those at the top of their game, I always come back to Rics, in spite of their frailties and foibles. I'd still love a 381 VP and 660/12 but I think then my life's quests would be at an end, so maybe I'll leave them off the agenda for a few decades yet. As Rene (at Global Vintage here in Sydney where I bought it from) said, "Think of it like this, all other great makers out there have had years and decades going through bad periods and offshore manufacture and such. Rickenbacker, though, only come down to two types... The bad ones and the brilliant ones". This one easily falls into the latter category.

I bought this guitar about 14 months ago but it was made in 1987. There are 3 pick ups, two single coil and a humbucker which is switchable to single by the flick of a switch. It's just the regular ricky sunburst colour, definately my favourite on a ricky. It's got 5 knobs to turn on them but basically i don't use them, i just have everything on 10 - i'm just a plug in and play type player!

I play rock/pop/funk kind of stuff think oasis, kula shaker, scissor sisters, lenny kravits so i love the vintage sound. I mainly play through an orange AD30 twin channel and a variety of pedals including a tubescreamer, boss dd-5, boss flanger, boss chorus, holy grail and an aramate effects treble master altho i do use lots of other toys in the studio.

It suits my style perfectly. It has a very full sound especially when i'm playing on the humbucker. I drive the clean channel and the boost channel fairly hard and the guitar only feeds back if i've got all the distortion pedals going full on! You can get that vintage ricky sound with it too but i mainly use it as a pretty big thick sound. I also use a 70's les paul deluxe as my main guitar and they are very different obviously but i prefer the ricky. It's got the full sound but also got a lot of presence and mid range which really helps the sound cut through.

When i bought it i got it set up to what i wanted and it did take me a while to get used to the ricky feel as i'd never played one much before. I love it now! give it a go and you'll get your fingers around it perfectly in no time. I thought it was just going to be a rhythm guitar but now i play heaps of the fast solos on it etc... Its not as easy to play fast clumsy solos on it as the les paul but thats good... it makes you play better! I've had no problems with the hardware on this instrument as of yet and i gig with it reguarly and don't mind getting a few knocks on it. Yes i know some of you will be cringing but its a solid piece of wood and it's great for taking on the road, it should stand up to nearly anything.

I guess it's just not quite as fast playing as i would like (not that i'm anykind of guitar wank hero player!) but i settle for it becase the sound is just incredible.

As i said it's as solid as a rock and i tour with it. The hardware will last. It's a beautifully and carefully crafted instrument. Probbaly the best guitar i've owned. if you want the finish to be immaculate then you do have to be a bit careful of belt buckles and leaning it up against something other than a guitar stand coz the paint can chip off easily. I think i noticed a chip of paint come off from bumping it with my ring. Oh well i was just playing it! I depend heavily on this guitar live and i don't change the string reguarly at all. they sound better the older they get on this guitar. Usually i change strings on my other guitars every gig. I have used this guitar without a back up but we play in various tunings so there's always others around. I'm a bit of showoff i like to show off my collection on the side of the stage!

Haven't had to deal with them yet.

I've played seriously for 10 years. I'm 20 so still a young cat. I also have a '77 les paul deluxe (tobacco sunburst) a '78 yamaha sg1000 (cherry red) a '75 guild dm25 acoustic and a few other cool toys but they are my regular stage guitars.

I'd replace this guitar straight away if it were taken away from me. At least i'd try. I love the fact that it really feels like a guitar when you hold it. It's got it's own character, doesn't sound like other guitars. My favourite feature is the humbucker that came in this model - huge sound from a ricky yeah!

If you find one just get it you'll love it.

3 Vintage Pickups, "R" Tailpiece, USA Made,

Sound:
Simply stated, there is absolutely no other guitar that will produce the sound of a Ric with vintage pickups. The familiar sound heard on a multitude of Beatles and other 60's songs can be a very strong asset in much of today's music. I run several amps, but mostly I run a 65 Fender Twin Reverb. That amp and the Ric are truly made for one another. Don't look for this Ric to be your primary lead platform. It sounds better clean than it does driven - although it can definitely provide a decent driven signal. I run an MXR Dynacomp compressor (the best no frills compression device regardless of price - period). The very design of the guitar's body provides an extremely crisp and bright note, but also lowers the sustain. Its strong suit is producing incredibly crisp sounding chords and particularly arpeggio work. In my own case I still use an American Fat Strat and a Tom Anderson Cobra for hotter work or lead work in the studio. If I could only own one electric, I am sad to say it would not be this guitar - but... if I could own two... here would be my setup (if price were an object): 1. The Ric 340-VP 2. Fender American Strat or Fat Strat; or (if price were NOT an object): 1. The Ric 340-VP 2. Tom Anderson Cobra or Cobra S. In my own case, this Ric is part of the following gigging/studio arsenal: Anderson Cobra, American Fat Strat, Ric 660-12, Martin D-16 (modified, including Fishman Blender pickup), Ovation thinbody Balladeer.

Action, fit and finish are excellent. Setup is so totally subjective that I really don't think comments from one person to another are relevant. Let's just say that I changed the setup, but it was fine to start with.
Regarding the action, if you are a happy Ric owner, you bought the Ric because you understood what the Ric was made to do and not do. The Ric is not, in my humble opinion, the best platform for faster lead or hot sounding riff playing - although it works fine for a riff here and there. Action is classic Ric and the quality is amazing. Regarding the finish: I cannot say enough about the finish and just overall aesthetic beauty of this guitar. It is as beautifully crafted and finished as much more expensive custom shop guitars. I also have a Tom Anderson Cobra and the finishing work is comparable to the Cobra at less than half the cost. Bottom line on the finish: Finish is top notch. This is just a personal thing, but I feel that the 330/340 is by far Ric's most attractive hollow body style. The symmetry of the cutaway being equal distance and size provides a really beautiful and appealing look.

This is my third Ric in a 25 year period. I sold one, but still have a 660-12. I gigged extensively with my first Ric and never had a bit of problem. It endured extreme temperature changes, hundreds of miles of bouncing around in a bob tail truck and still performed perfectly. This Ric is cut from the same cloth. Bottom line: Rics are bullet proof, dependable, guitars suitable for any level of professional work.

Over the years, I have interfaced several times with the Ric tech support people. They quickly answer the phone and get you what you need. You will not be disappointed with the support of Ric. I give them the highest marks.

Top performing guitar, provided you know what you're looking for. I would replace it if it were stolen. I've been playing since I was a kid and now am 45 and have gigged extensively.

I just got mine new in 2001. This guitar is the three pickup version of the 330- American made as all Rickys are, 6 strings, 24 frets, 3 Rickenbacker single coil pickups, volume and tone controls for the treble pickup, and one set of controls for the other two pickups, 24 3/4 inch scale, Maple body and neck (mine is Midnight Blue) with Rosewood fingerboard... This guitar came with a deluxe hardshell case, tools and a polishing cloth.

All I can say is, this is one hell of a beautiful guitar! The features aren't elaborate, but when you get a guitar right, why tack on uneeded extras? I wish that each pickup had its own tone and volume knobs instead of the two bass pickups being controlled together, but that is a small complaint. Otherwise, this guitar's beauty is its simplicity.

Wow!! This is where this guitar is unbeatable. I have played Fenders, Les Pauls, Danelectros, Yamahas... When I first heard this guitar through an amp I was floored- the sound is very rich and warm, but it can also sound bright and chimey. With overdrive it can get wonderfully dirty without sounding thin. The output of the 340 is much higher than I thought it would be. I play a large range of styles- mainly folk and punk, and this guitar can handle both of these surprisingly well. I wanted a guitar that had a rich and full clean sound but could also handle heavy distorted playing. I think I finally found it in my 340.

The action on this guitar was nice and low, making it very easy to play. There were no fret buzzes at all when I got it. The intonation was as near perfect as possible. The construction was flawless- the finish shines, the frets are all smooth, the controls fluid and tight, the wood quality on the fingerboard was stunning, there was no glue residue anywhere, no gaps anywhere...

The weight of this guitar is perfect for me- it is nice and light in my hands. This will not kill my back like the #$%^& Les Paul I had!

My only complaints are 1) the finish on the back of the neck tends to "stick" to my hands when I play. By using a little bit of talcum powder this problem is easily overcome, however. 2) I would make the neck just a little bit thinner if I could- closer to a Fender maybe. This neck is thinner than other guitars I have played, but it is not as thin as my Fender Jaguar was.

Although this guitar is hollow and light, it feels as tough as a rock. I haven't had this guy for long yet, though, but I really believe it will hold up for continued live playing. The fretboard does not seem likely to wear down at all. The strap buttons are very solid (unlike my Danelectro!), so I have no worries about that. I wouldn't hesitate to depend on this guitar and gig without a backup. I've gigged sans backup with my $130 Dano DC before, so come on!

I haven't dealt with the company yet

I have been playing about 6 years now, and I own a Danelectro DC, a Martin DM, and an assortment of Fender amps. This is definitely the highest quality guitar I have ever owned- if it were stolen I would go right out and get another one (or maybe a 370). This is a beautiful expertly made guitar with an AMAZING sound. I only hope my playing will live up to it!