Rickenbacker 620

Rickenbacker 620 fireglo 08

21 frets, pearl inlays

rick o sound and standard output jacks

This guitar is the most versatile RIC ive played its pretty much good for all genres but really excels in indie and modern rock. when plugged straight into my peavey classic 30 with no pedals im in tone heaven but when i add my korg ax3000g fx pedal a vast amount of tone is sucked but this is no fault of the guitar. this guitar has alot more sustain than the 330 hense i sold my rick 330 to get the 620, this is a great sounding guitar and i would say the best in its price range

Action

the action on this guitar is really fast and plays effortlessly

Fit

this guitar is a full sized 21 fret guitar but is very thin and compact, very nice to hold

Finish

THIS IS WHERE IM GONNA MOAN....this finish on all RICS in my opinion need to be improved compared to its competitors ETC fender gibson and Jackson. dont get me wrong the finish isnt bad but not had good has fenders which lets it down

this guitar is solid i was making bridge adjustments once when i slipped with the allen key and was amazed all i did was little blemish which can only be seen under the light.

This guitar has never let me down

RIC forums are very good and have loads of experts on there to help and advise you with adjustment string gaugues etc

The best guitar ive ever played well worth the money i doubt u will find a better instrument for the money

'06 USA (all Rickenbackers are) 620 in Midnight Blue w 2 button top Hi-gain pickups, three way toggle selector, and 5 volume/tone pots.
Bought used with strap-locks and RIC hardshell case for $1199.

Chrome Schaller mini-tuner machines on the older style, bigger headstock. The sharkfin position markers are not full width.

21 frets.

"R" tailpiece.

I like the big percussive attack and sustain for Rock and Blues. It has a plunky sound using RIC strings (10-42). Intonation is spot on, and it stays in tune.

I'm using a Tech 21 TM 60 for all styles.

For single coils it is pretty hum free and quiet until played, and has a good full frequency range output (fat but with some Rick character).

Sustains better than Rickenbacker model 330's I've owned. The neck-through solidbody construction seems to help.

I also like the 21 fret design, which puts the neck pickup in a better place (to my ears) than a 24 fret design. I like to be able to get it mellow for a jazzy sound sometimes. 24 fret guitars sound too "pingy" to me when I try that.

Overall it gets the usual needed electric guitar tones for most styles of music, plus a little of that unique Rickenbacker jangle when wanted.

Rickenbacker also has other pickups including various vintage styles and the "new" Hi-gains have adjustable polepieces. This guitar has the regular Hi-gains and I'm pretty familiar with their sound. They work for everything I need to sound like in an evening at a bar, resturant, or concert hall (as a Rock/Blues/Jazz/Pop sideman about once a month).

I have never used the Ric-o-sound output. Only the mono.

Here's where it is a GREAT guitar.
Everything is first rate and perfectly made/assembled.

The Midnight Blue finish is perfectly smooth and flat everywhere, and the binding and fretwork is perfect.

The "R" tailpiece interferes with the saddle adjustment on the bridge a little, but I just keep using the same string sets which it is intonated perfectly for.

I've never seen an old Rickenbacker that looked bad except for an ancient 420 from the '60's that had had a hard life and was modified by Hippies.

No experience here.

I've had a half-dozen Rickenbackers, mostly used. Never needed any support.

I've played guitar since 1960 and have blown through a ton of gear.

This 620 is my Rock and Blues guitar (and the little bit of Country I fake sometimes).
I also have a Heritage H575 for Jazz and Bigband jobs, and a cheap Jay Turser semi-hollow for knocking around in biker bar gigs.

I don't get a lot of calls anymore but still enjoy playing the odd gig and jamming with friends and at parties.

I consider that I have two GREAT guitars, the Rick and the Heritage. Everything else is an also ran compared to these two particular guitars now.
Fenders, Gibsons, Gretsches, and Guilds have all had their season with me, but they don't seem to make the great ones anymore. Rickenbacker still does!

The 620 is plenty versatile and Ricks are in a class of their own: an acquired taste in their sound perhaps, like a Gretsch, but a really well made old school quality guitar.

USA made, pretty much all been covered, mines Jet-glo (black). Blend knob is a usefull feature that enables you to get more sounds out of this than other 2 single coil fitted guitars. The tailpiece is nice, allowing for a bit of vibrato as long as your carefull.

Came with a nice case too. Wont give 10 as it isnt all singing al ldancing, but has more features than an average guitar.

I play ambient and post punk is indie. The guitar is perfect for this. It gives quite a modern sound thanks to the hot pickups. I'd describe it as sounding quite 'thin' but not in a bad way. It sounds how it looks, thin and glassy with plenty of harmonics. I use lots of effects and the hot pickups work well wich these, maintaining the guitars integrity.

Dont buy this guitar for heavy rock or blues. I dont feel it excels at those genres. Get a les paul or 335 style guitar for that (somthing with humbuckers).

There is bass to be had from the neck pickup though, just not a great deal of body.

Please note this is based on using it with a fender deville.

I am giving it a 10 for what i play but if you play lots of genres, this should not be bought as an only guitar.

Setup was magnificent, the finish was flawless and has a lot of depth to it. Pickups were a little high to the strings and caused some initial problems. Easy to adjust though.

I understand Ric's are made in relatively small numbers (compares to gibson and fender) therefore quality remains higher.

Its a slab of wood, should take punishment (would be stupid though, its so good looking).

Only point that may be weak is the tailpiece. Dont know yet though.

no idea.

Overall its great for post-punk and ambient. Also works for pop and indie rock. No for blues and heavier styles of rock though.

Looks wise, i like it. Its quite small bodied though so looks a little odd on larger framed people (my oppinion).

I paid near to street price and feel it was worth it.

I just bought a 2007 Rickenbacker 620 (six string version) with a Jetglo finish.?? I paid pretty close to the retail price for this guitar.?? It is much, MUCH more than I expected for my money.?? I'm very pleased with its features.?? The two "high gain single coil pickups" are loud and responsive and can compete with anything Fender or Gibson lays on the table.?? The neck is slim and very comfortable.?? I'm a big guy with fat fingers and the thin (but long scale) neck is very easy to reach the high positions and the sustain is incredible!?? I own several Gibsons and Fenders, but this guitar is my new-found friend!

I play many styles but primarily I play Country/Western/Punk/Rockabilly.?? The Rickenbacker 620/6 affords ease and response with all styles for me.

The fit & finish is just what you would expect from a TRULY American made guitar...perfect!?? Out of the box, this is the best solid body electric guitar I've ever purchased.?? There were no flaws.?? Action is great.?? The intonation is flawless.?? High quality tuners.?? Great bridge/saddle alignment.?? Pickups are loud and excellent.?? The neck- thru-body design of the 620 is true genius.?? I own two semi-hollow body electric guitars and if you're looking for feedback, the Rickenbacker 620 has it, when you need it.

I'm a professional recording/touring guitarist, (250 plus dates per year.)?? The Ricenbacker 620/6 has never let me down. You may want to keep some wax on the hardware if you travel through different climates.?? (I've done this with all of my guitars.)?? I can always depend on this guitar without a backup instrument.

I've never had any problems with this guitar.?? I don't expect to.

I've been playing guitar for forty-seven years, professionally for thirty-eight years. This guitar has everything! I don't wish that it has anything else. This is a solid guitar. If it were stolen or lost, I would definetly buy another one. I highly recommend the Rickenbacker 620/6 electric guitar!

Got it 2005. It has 2 single coil pickups with a volume and tone knob for each one. Also has a fifth mixing knob, which is quite handy. All maple with a rosewood finger board and neck-through design (for really nice sustain). I got the fireglo finish.

Ricks seem to always be generalized as a one trick pony that can only do the "Rick jangle", but this is quite far from the truth. The first time I ever played a rick was when I played a 360 head to head with an SG, and the 360 completely blew the gibson away. The 620 doesn't have quite the tonal quality of its hollow body cousin, but it still sounds great, and better than anything in its price range (or most above it). It has a wide variety of sounds if you take the time to find them...the rick jangle is easy enough to get, but what really impressed me was the deep,rich bluesy sound that came out of the neck pu. turn both pus on and you get a really full, versatile sound, which can growl nicely with just a little bit of overdrive. Its clean sound is absolutely amazing, almost acoustic at times, and just makes you want to do some finger-picking. People keep saying ricks sound different, and they do (better in my opinion), but this doesn't mean they cant do anything a fender or Gibson will do, because they can, a very versitile sound. I play through a fender blues junior and a gibson les paul junior, i would love to play it through a Marshall stack or a fende twin, but i havent had the luxury yet. (Note: you need to play this through at least a decent tube amp - a cheap solid state will not be able to deliver the rich textures this thing can pump out- will sound like crap.)

The guitar is beautiful. I had no idea a simple burst finish on flat, sanded maple could look so good, but it will put some of those fancy les paul finishes to shame. The guitar came set up perfectly (nice, low action) and the intonation was dead on, no need to fix anything.(I have fooled around with it a little since then, and it is pretty easy to tweak it to fit your style, only hard part is changing strings with that R tailpiece.) This guitar is hard to put down, it feels like such a work of art.

Built like a rock, enough said. Slammed the headstock hard into a door jam once and all it got was a little ding in the laquer that is barely noticeable, to my great relief.

Never had any reason to deal with anyone over there.

This is a great guitar. I also have a nice fender strat which rarely gets played because i cant stop playing the 620. I have also often considered getting a gibson, but never really see the reason to shell out the money when i already have this gem. I hope to get a ric 360 soon (pretty similar to the 620, but just a little better all around)and then I should be set on guitars, except maybe a les paul in the distant future. This guitar is not a strat or tele, and its not a les paul, but its versatile enough to be used in place of them in alot of cases. And it has a sound that just cant be beat!

Mine is the only Montezuma brown ricky 620 i have ever seen a review for, which kinda freaks me out :) I bought this in 2007 (this year), and it had been sitting in the shop brand new for 4 years (as its a 2003 colour of the year, non repeated at this stage). The finish is absolutely gorgeous. I personally love the body style - the top cutaway almost looks like a custom designed handle, and if i hadnt paid through the nose for the thing i would be tempted to use it as a handle in some of my more 'aggressive' shall we say?? - performances. The mini schallers look great. Straight through neck design is gorgeous.

It is quite a small guitar, as other reviews have stated. Almost like a 3/4 sized body, but has the full compliment of frets. Totally solid. I personally like the look of the solid body ricks more than the 330 shape or other semi-hollow shapes - they just look tougher and more edgy, whereas the 330s have that elegant retro look. The 620 is a great medium between them. I love the 2 hi output single coils - their sound is fantastic. So clean. And yet on the right amp it just sings and resonates beautifully in the dirtier range. So much sustain on this guitar. That blend knob - quite strange. I notice it works more on the bass pickup in my case, and you get a wide variety of sound. Blended the pickups sound great together. More on that in 'Sound'.

The case is something else. Its a great case but would be good if it had a proper recess for storing stuff like strings or picks etc. The current one is quite shallow, and with no locking top your gear will fly all over the place. It is however a great quality case and i love that smell... dont know what that is actually!

I play in a band that is indie-rock with a synth element, and this guitar suits that style perfectly. Of course the ricky is made beautifully, so the pickups are of great quality and would be shielded well, so unwanted noise isnt a major issue with this guitar. Most of the time i find this to be an issue with the wrong type of Amp (ie a Vox Valvetronix vs Vox AC30CC2X - not much of a noise issue with the latter).

The sound is unmistakable in my opinion, and i have heard nothing like it on other good archtop guitars. First thing to say is that beautiful ringing sustain. Just cuts through me. On a good quality valve amp, cleans are so bright and jangly. The bass pickup (with the blend right down) will have a gorgeous bluesy tone. put the blend switch up and it gets progressively more trebly and jangly. Flip the selector to treble pickup and you can get that crunch tone that i would go for in some instances. Mix the two, overdrive it via valves (not pedals) and turn blend it half way, and you get a gorgeous ringing fuzz, which is exactly my sound. There is plenty of tonal variety on this guitar, however as someone else has said you have to keep in mind they are single coils. For that crunchier sound that i love, its perfect for it.

A tip - and this is only my opinion - if you want that fuzzy sound you cant beat a rick in this area, as long as you have the right amp being overdriven correctly. That is to say if you were to plug a tele in to the same amp, you would not get as good a sound.

Action is beautiful on this thing. Some minor fret buzz on mine, but i think action is a little too low on some strings. The guitar takes a little getting used to (the night i bought it i gigged with it, without even properly setting it up or getting used to it). The shape of the guitar (twin cuts) allows for very easy access to the upper register, and the 'belly cutaway' i guess you would call it sit beautifully against your chiselled (or otherwise) body. Very ergonomic, everything well within reach.

Straight out of the factory i found this thing didnt need much adjustment at all, besides the minor buzz issue i was saying before. This was not like buying a new car - everything works beautifully straight out of the box.

This guitar will definitely withstand the rigors of live gigging. It is tough. You could drop it a million times and it wouldnt break, not that i would personally want to. The hardware and finish all look good, however i did notice that the R tailpiece looked to be cast iron which had been chromed. I didnt really like that, and as a previous reviewerr had stated it has potential for the chrome to peel. It would have also been nice if the nut was bone, instead of a plasticy rubber, but otherwise all good. I would totally use this guitar for all gigs, no backup.

I have been playing guitar for 15 years. To be honest i have only ever owned bad quality guitars (old strat copies, a couple of accoustics and semi's, but nothing crazy or expensive like this). I have played american strats, tele squiers, Gibson and Epiphone les pauls, Matons, ibanez... The only thing that even comes close was the vintage american strat. The clean sound on that compared closely to the Ricky, but doesnt cut it. The resonance is what i initially hear, and the jangle. Wood quality and build all contribute to this. The ricky is no exception on great quality.

I would definitely replace this, if i had the money.

I love 99% of this guitar. I dont like the underside of the tailpiece and the (what i consider) the slightly dodgy nut. what is strange is that i know the guitar is brand new however i have NEVER seen another montezuma brown in the 620. Even googling it produces very minimal results. The colour is definitely a major drawcard to this guitar for me, because of the fact it is so different.

This guitar + Vox AC30CC2X or a 212 - ultimate combo.

My 620 is superbly finished in Fireglo. The 620 is a solid body guitar, and quite small (shorter overall than a Strat!) but perfectly formed - bijou, you'd maybe say (pretentious? moi?). Rickenbacker are deservedly renowned for the quality of the build and this one is no exception. No structural or cosmetic flaws which I can find.

The neck is surprisingly chunky, but comfortable. Like all Rickies it is narrow - those who are used to Gibsons and the like (as I am) may find it cramped, but you soon get used to it. Fine for the stretchy chords, less so if one has fingers like pork sausages.

It is not really a feature packed instrument - 2 high gain single coils each with tone and volume controls, selector switch (usual bridge/both/neck configuration) and that mysterious Ricky blend knob. This is my 4th Ricky and the first one on which I have actually noticed a difference using the blend knob.

Tuners are mini Schallers, efficient and accurate. The strange Ricky bridge with its 4 supporting screws is badly designed in my view (especially as regards adjusting intonation), but hey it's a feature not a fault.

I got mine s/h (made in July 2003 according to serial no), and the previous owner had fitted Schaller straplocks, which is a plus for me. Don't have the original strap buttons though.

My main amp is a reissue Fender Twin Reverb 65, which I reckon is a pretty good match for Rickies. It is not too hard to get that classic clean Ricky jangle. You don't need to compress this guitar as much as you do, say, a 330. It is also a more versatile guitar than Ricky critics would have one believe. In these days of multi FX the old "one trick pony" cliche is wearing thin. This guitar does pretty well whatever you want it to do, though it does have its own distinctive character (just as Gibsons and Fenders do!). It will do dirty but does clean better. It will also do lead, but some may see it mainly as a rhythm instrument.

The single coils mean you can get it to cut through any mix. In fact you could probably get it trebly enough to shatter the windows in a nearby office block. It never sounds muddy. I'm giving it a 10 because I like to play as clean as possible without sounding thin and Rickies really let you do this.

Because I got it s/h, it has been nicely played in by one careful owner. The neck is dead straight, but the action was to me a wee bit high (for a Ricky) so I have taken it down a tad. The lighter one's touch the lower the action will go, and most Rickies will go very low indeed if that's what one likes.

The nut is perfect, but a couple of the bridge slots look a bit sloppy (previous owner maybe, rather than the factory) and I will file them cleaner when I have time. One of the knobs has its silver insert missing.

Pickups are standard modern Rickies rather than the vintage "toast racks". This is probably a heresy which will get me thrown out the Ricky Fellowship of Brothers and Sisters, but I prefer the new pickups anyway.

Apart from the minor niggles, this is one beautiful little guitar and a joy to play. I am not sure it saw much action with its original owner. The bridge cover was still in place and the first thing most Ricky owners do is take this off to facilitate string muting. I plan to make up for lost time.

It seems a pretty solid guitar, certainly more robust than my 330s. My only worry about gigging it would be that it got damaged or marked, it is a very good looking guitar.

My main guitar will still be my Gibson 335, I reckon, but the Ricky will definitely suit some songs and be used as much as possible.

I have never dealt with Rickenbacker so I can't comment. Spares are available in the UK via Rosetti, but I have never dealt with them either. I am waiting for the inevitable tailpiece failure which seems to dog modern Rickies, and the hassle of getting an exchange!

I have been playing since my early teens (now in my 50s) but am still just a weekend warrior, and don't really gig much these days, just play with friends. I love owning and playing good guitars though, and the 620 is certainly a beautiful player. If it was stolen I would replace it, but not before I had hunted down and terminated the thief.

My main guitar is a 335, I also have Fenders Strat and Tele, Martins, a couple more Rickies and various bits and pieces, more guitars and gear than I know what to do with really, accumulated over a long period.

Rickies are just fantastic instruments, though - better made and finished in my view than any of the other big companies' guitars, and better looking than all the competition. I admit that they are an acquired taste - players seem either to love them or to hate them. Guess where I sit.

The only thing I hate about Rickies is that I don't have more of them. A couple of years ago I passed up on a near-mint 4001 bass which was going at GBP 650 (about $1400?). I am still kicking myself.

I bought a 620 Mapleglow about a year ago through Musicians Friend. The features are as per their standard. It has everything one needs for a good electric guitar. As a relative beginner to guitar (44 years old, and been playing for two years) the fifth knob is a probably a bit more than I actually need. If in doubt, just leave it set in the middle. Inclusion of a good quality case is nice. It puts the guitar in the realm of ???quality??? instruments.

As a new player, I probably don???t pull as much variety of sound out of this guitar than some of the more experienced players do. It has a pleasing sound, and the overall quality of the guitar makes me want to live up to it. I tend to play mostly through the neck pickup seeking a nice clean sound.

People often forget that electric guitars create sound through a series of equipment: guitar, cable, amplifier. The result is a sum of all three parts. I play it at home through a small practice amp, so there is a limit to how good it can sound. In fact, I don???t think I???ve heard the guitar???s real voice yet. My teenage son uses the guitar in a band at school playing rock tunes from the last decade or so. I think they use a Roland Cube 60. We are planning on investing in a new amp later this year. Even though the guitar is part of a chain, I also believe that as good as the equipment is, it???s the person holding it who really makes the difference. A good player with a crappy guitar will still sound good.

To sum up, this guitar is capable of making truly wonderful music, whatever that may be. I feel that I will be able to grow into it for years. I know that any flaws in my sound are due to me, not the instrument.

Wow. This guitar is absolutely beautiful to look at, to touch. Even the smell is very distinctive. Some people complain about the ???out of the box??? set up. I think that as long as adjustments can be made, assume that the guitar will need a little tweaking to make it the way you want it.

What really matters is the basic quality of construction and finish. Very well crafted.

With two people using it, this guitar gets played for about two hours every day. Being mostly at home, it is pretty gentle playing, though. The only problems we have had were some loose screws. The little plastic cover on the pick up selector switch came off, and we could not find it anywhere. It took us awhile, but we finally tracked down a replacement. A few weeks after that one of the volume knobs came off. It was the little grub screw on the side of the knob that had come loose. It was easy to put back on. Yes, it was a bit annoying, and I thought ???here we go,??? the whole thing was falling apart. Then we just went around the whole guitar with a small screwdriver and tightened everything up. We will make a habit of doing that every six months or so.

Other that those two little hiccups, this guitar seems to be as solid as a rock.

So far, they are batting at 50%.

I have contacted Rickenbacker by email twice. Once with a question about strings which they returned promptly. The other with a question about ordering a replacement for the switch cover that came off. Sent the email a month ago and still no reply. Grrrr.

I gave this a nine, just because it???s an average of all the scores above. When I was deciding on a guitar to buy, I did lots of research and reading opinions and reviews. I wanted something that was good upper middle quality and was happy to pay for it. I also wanted something a little bit different from the average Strat.

Another aspect that attracted me to the Ric was that they have a fairly simple collection of guitars on offer. The 620 is simple the solid body six string option. Some of the bigger makers like Fender have SO many makes and models, it???s difficult to tell the difference and to understand why the huge price differences up and down the range on models.

After a year, I can say that I am extremely happy with the choice, and would do it again in a second. It???s easy to spend both more and less on a guitar. While $1000-ish is a lot to spend on anything, I think it???s very good value. I never think about the money anymore. I just enjoy the beautiful instrument that I have the privilege to play every day.

Paid $1400 US--yes, they're getting more expensive--partly because it's a discontinued custom color. My Rick 620 has all the standard features for this model. It was made in August, 2006, and I bought it in February, 2007, from Fuller's Vintage Guitar in Houston, Texas. The color is Amber Fire Glo. I went with the High Gain pickups on it. I seriously considered Toaster Top pickups, but I already have a reissue Model 1997 with Toaster Tops, so I just left it stock. Features include the "R" tailpiece (more about that below), along with standard hardware, etc. The only thing I've really done to the guitar (and probably most Rick owners do the same) is to remove the chrome cover for the bridge. I usually dampen the strings with my palm when I play, which is terribly awkward with the cover in place. I love the size of the guitar: nice, small, very light body of maple. The through-neck construction on the 620 means that it sustains a lot longer than most Ricks. I think it also helps with the voicing og the neck pickup, along with the fact that it's a 21 fret neck. On other Ricks (that is, with 24 frets and semi-hollow bodies) the neck pickup tends to sound very weak to me, which isn't too bad if you're going for a kind of 50s jazz sound, but it seems limited in its use. Not so with the neck pickup of the 620. It's fuller, sustains much better, and really makes this guitar more versatile than a 330 or 360. Like several other reviewers, I can't figure out why more famous folks don't play the 620. It really seem like a no-brainer to me! My feature rating isn't super high, but it's only because this is a very straightforward instrument. If you don't like Ricks in the first place, you probably won't seriously consider buying one anyway. I absolutely love the SKB case it comes with. More manufacturers should switch to them!

The 620 has a great sound, especially when played at high volumes. The maple body really helps the cut through the mix in a very pleasing, musical way. As several people have mentioned, one can coax a lot of different sounds out of a Rick if you know how to manipulate the fifth "blend" knob. It's worth experimenting with. I usually leave it set in the middle position between the two pickups, but I have been known to change it on occasion. The 620 sounds better through my Music Man 212HD than through my silver face Fender Champ. I have a feeling that the Champ can't really project the nuances of the guitar, especially at higher volumes. Of course, speaking about guitar sound in this age of multi-effects units can be misleading, since you can make just about any guitar sound radically different with multi-effects. I usually use a Digitech Genetix 3 (darn, I've forgotten the exact name of the thing) but I think you know what I'm talking about. I use it mostly for a bit of compression and for reverb, since the reverb footswitch on the Music Man gave up the ghost years ago. Botto, line is that this guitar sounds great by itself through a decent tube amp.

Okay, here we go! The finish on the guitar itself is absolutely gorgeous--it's in Amber Fire Glo, which was color of the year for 2006. I've heard that they've stopped doing colors of the year in order to catch up on a 2 year backlog of orders. It's a real shame, because I'm sure a lot of folks bought guitars in these colors since Rickenbacker doesn't really feature much in the way of options for their guitars. Anyway, this has to be one of the most beautiful colors I've ever seen on a guitar. The colors are much more vibrant than standard Fire Glo, which, in all honesty, looks dull in comparison. The amber stain has been used on the binding and the triangular inlays, which gives it a very "vintage" look. It's roughly the same crea, color as the binding of my early 80s 4003. The neck is small, like most Ricks (which suits me, since my hands are pretty small anyway) and is a trye "U" shape. The center maple piece that runs all the way through the body has very nice figure to it, and a great swirl on the headstock, next to the nameplate. The "wings" of the body are a great deal plainer than the through-neck. Okay, here's where I have a problem. I bought the guitar on February 16, 2007, after considering purchasing it for a couple of months. Like everyone, I looked the guitar over carefully before I bought it, knowing how squirrelly Rick is about customer service. Wouldn't you know it, when I went to change the strings for the first time, I noticed a flake of chrome coming off the "R" tailpiece--very small, but it looks like it could get bigger. It's also in a spot that will get a lot of moisture from my hand as I play, so it could rust. I called Rick several times and spoke to two different people at Customer Service. Basically, the response was that the WHOLE guitar is under warranty, so I would have to return the WHOLE guitar in order to get them dinky tailpiece replaced. Uh... gee, aren't electric guitars made in many pieces so that you can replace the piece that needs it? My point to them was, what if, in transit, something happens to the rest of the guitar? What a headache! Any way, I may just leave it like it is until it gets worse, or I may replace the "R" with a Rick Torsion Vibrato (Ac'cent reproduction) which would give it a more vintage look. Other options: a "trapeze" taipiece, or even a Bigsby B5. Anyway, anyone buying a Rick should know that they're on their own as far as fixing anything is concerned. Would I ever buy another Rick? Yes. I guess it's one of the disadvantages of Rick being a small, family-run company.

I actually think that the 620 is built to last. I think it's THE guitar for me. I doubt I would ever play with a backup. I don't think I'd need one. By the way, one tip on replacing strings with the "R" taipiece: replace them one at a time, fron the outside going in. This keeps an even tension on the bridge, so the bridge stays put instead of falling off the top of the guitar.

See above!

Despite everything, I would (and have!) recommend this guitar to others. You just have to know what you're getting into with the seriously anemic customer support. I don't know--perhaps that adds to the quirky charm of the brand.

Mine is a 2005 fireglo. It's got all the features Ricks are famous for....the three way switch, the four knobs (volumes on bottom) and the 'mystery' knob that so many people don't seem to understand. The rick-o-sound jack.
The glossy neck and triangle fretmarkers.
It's a rick--its got everything it should have.

I play a lot of Beatles and Tom Petty stuff, so I was looking for a Rick. I was just about set on the 360 when I played a 620 in a store and feel in love with it.
Having already decided NOT to go with a 12 string (too much of a hassle. I have no patience), I was going to get a 6 string anyway. But I want some of that famous jangle.
The 620 sustained for days and days, and despite the small neck, it was a joy to play, and had enough jangle for me to get the sound I wanted.
I was sold. Didn't buy the one in the store because it was a jetglo, and nice as that was, I wanted the fireglo finish. So I ordered one and away I went.
They always say that nothing sounds like a Rick, and that's true. Everytime I play it, I just can't believe how great it sounds. The 620, as I mentioned, has so much sustain that it handles rockier tunes with ease, and yet still sounds like you want it to sound. And with a little chorus, I can get close enough to a Byrds sound for my needs.

No need to go on and on here. Everyone knows Ricks have the most gorgeous finishes around, and my 620 is no exception. I gasped when it came out of the case for the first time. Just beautiful. Even my wife appreciates the look of this guitar. I don't understand why 620's are not more common--they sound and look great and are so fun to play. It's a little on the small side, (kind of like a tele), but that's part of its charm.

This is my newest guitar (got it Feb. 07), so I'm still babying the heck out of this thing, and haven't taken it out of my house yet.

Never dealt with Rickenbacker.

I've been playing for 9 years. I own american teles and strats and a gretsch 6120dsw. I use fender amps. I don't play as well as I probably should to justify the gear I have, but it inspires me to play and it makes me feel good. Life is short, so why not?
I waited a long time to get my first rick, and now that I have one, I understand why rick-lovers say you can't have just one.
I completely understand the allure of these instruments. They aren't one-trick ponies like a lot of people think they are. Sure, you don't want to do speedmetal on a rick, but it sounds great with some overdrive (most effects, really) and it just cuts through on my hot rod deluxe's clean channel.
I think everyone should have a rick 620 in their collection. It's just such an awesome, original guitar that looks and plays great.

Bought like my other guitars on eBay at a snip of the retail price, so am VERY happy.

2004 Fireglo 6-string, features as described by other reviewers.
In my opinion ultra high-quality, by far the best guitar I have ever played. Ric hard shell case included, also of a very high quality.

The high-gloss finish on everything gives the guitar a quality feel and classy look. Neck is comfortable and all controls are in easy reach.

'R' shaped tailpiece onto which you hang your strings. This is the only let-down I think. Have only re-strung it once so far, but it took me 3-times as long to do, simply because of the fiddly, hard to get to tailpiece. Maybe there's a knack - we'll see.

I play covers of everthing from the last 40 years and so far the guitar is at home with any of them. The output from the pickups blows every other guitar I own out of the water. At least 4x louder than a Fender. But very bright and punchy.

Played through a Line 6 POD XT Pro into a Fender Hod Rod Deluxe. A little reverb, chorus and some delay and to my ears at least it sound wonderful.

The blend control is useful to go from bright and glassy to warm and punchy with more Bass.

Very light and thin in construction but ultra-resonant and powerful.

In another class as far as I can see. Bought used but is to all intents and purposes new and hence flawless. The fit is gorgeous and the high-gloss finishes oozes class.

Turns heads like no other guitar I own.

I tried several Rics in the shops but didn't get on with them - 330's etc. Too bulky. This 620 is a little beauty and is so much easy to hold and play. The over-size headstock looks unusual but is also a nice feature - different from the rest.

Wood looks gorgeous, especially on the rear where is comes throug the 'glo' finish. The neck-through element looks nice also, not too obvious, well matched.

I can find NO issues whatsoever in the action, fit and finish. I re-strung it as soon as I got it and lowered the action slightly using the grub screws in the bridge assembly. No fret buzz, choking and any other issues.

The case is just as good - no nasty Fender-type latches. Very clever, smooth latches and a perfectly balanced holding position.
Nice material inside too.

This guitar will be gigged in rotation with others and will be looked after like my first-born. As mentioned above, the whole thing feels top-quality and so I have no expectations of any problems.

n/a

Been playing for 5 years or so and more seriously for last 2 years.

Have several other guitars:

2003 Fender USA Telecaster
1998 Fender USA Stratocaster
1998 Fender Hellecaster 'John Jorgenson'
1998 Fender Jazz-A-Caster 'Will Ray'
**** really want the Jerry Donahue to complete the set!!!****
2005 Fender Classic Series '72 Telecaster Deluxe Re-issue
2003 Ovation Celebrity Deluxe semi-acoustic
1992 Squier Precision Bass

I wanted to buy something different - something to offer alternatives to the sounds I can already get from the above guitars. I knew the Ric would do this but I have to say - contrary to my expectations, this Rickenbacker beats the whole lot hands-down in every area.

I would seriously consider another Rickenbacker - thinking about a 4003 Bass and I nearly went for a 660/6 I saw on eBay, but it was over #1,200.

Fireglo 6 string with Rick single coils. Stereo output, etc... Lots of tonal options here, so long as you realize you are in single-coil territory.

In the clean guitar tone area, I love the 620. It seems darker and richer than a Tele or G&L. It has more character and presence, IMHO.

For dirty channel work, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the pretty Rick growl!

To my ears, a good instrument delivers in both arenas. Rickenbackers can handle any style you throw at them with clarity and depth.

After an initial set-up, the Rick plays really well. The action is very fast and works for strumming and fingerstyle with aplomb.

My Rick arrived in gorgeous condition and gleams, begging to be played.

I would emphatically suggest to all purchasers of a new Rick to immediately get it set up to your specs.

I've gigged hard for over a year with this instruments in a variety of climates... (Hawaii, Vegas, Florida)

She stays in tune and plays well in any situation!

The only ding I have with Rickenbacker is their supply! I want to buy another one and can't find one anywhere! Especially the 620.

Seriously Rick, you need to make more of these guitars and market them. Everyone is sold out of the 620... What does that tell you?

I've owned and toured with many Fenders, PRS's, Gibsons and custom instruments. The Rick has more character and class than any other production brand. Good luck finding one in the style and color you want, but if you find one, buy it ASAP.

2005 Midnight Blue, white binding "R" tailpiece, hardshell case, made in USA, High-Gain single coil pups, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL FINISH.

This guitar sounds exactly like I hoped it would. Clean is outstanding, add a little (or a lot) of gain and it again sings. I play Bryan Adams-type rock to Foo Fighters and it sounds great with it all. I play through a Johnson JM120 Amplifier, but will probably soon switch to a "vintage"-type tube amp.

Perfectly set up and beautiful. This guitar is a work of art.

Have had many Rics and they are all great.

Great customer support.

I own a 2003 Mapleglo Rickenbacker 6-string 620, made in the USA, purchased in November, 2003. This is a 3/4-size guitar (like the far more famous John Lennon Ric 325), with a fairly slim body and long neck that is cut away enough for you to get way up the neck. Two high-gain single-coil pickups, solid maple body and neck with 21-fret rosewood fretboard. Everything but the chrome metal parts are saturated with multiple layers of high-gloss varnish. The neck is fairly slim and chunky, and the 3/4-scale body has a through neck with trapeze bridge. There are separate volume and tone knobs for the two pickups, plus a fifth mixing knob -- all within easy reach. The pickup selector switch is also very handy. It comes in a very sturdy hard-shell case, with a custom form-shaped velvet interior that provides a perfect fit for this guitar.

This guitar is so awesome. Why don't we see more professional musicians playing it on stage besides Mary Chapin Carpenter? This guitar is versatile enough to satisfy lots of different tastes. I use it for a variety of country, pop rock, and folk music styles. It has a nice full sound, both clean and in overdrive with great sustain. The high-gain pickups are super bright, but do not have as jangly a sound as do the vintage (toaster top) pickups that you might want to swap as a replacement. The various control knobs for the 2 pickups give you lots of room to play around with different sounds.

This guitar was set up just right for me, with moderately low action. I don't care as much for the extra light strings that Rickenbacker puts on these guitars, but that's a matter of taste. The chrome tuners, bridge, pickups and strap buttons are gorgeous and hardly need more than a quick swipe with a towell after playing. Fit and finish are exactly what everyone else has said -- totally flawless. Rickenbacker puts all the others to shame in this regard.

Dependability? This guitar is built like a rock -- with a solid maple through neck and body. Unlike other Rickenbackers (beware jetglo folks), the mapleglo finish seems to defy my usual clumsiness on stage and shows no nicks or scratches. Although it's pretty light weight, I'd definitely recommend Schaller strap buttons. Depend on it? I always have this guitar with me, whether as the first-stringer, or as a dependable second guitar to back up my les paul and tele when needed.

I have not had to deal with the folks in California, but I've heard good things about them.

I have been playing guitar for 20 years, and own an Epiphone Les Paul, Fender Telecaster, and a semi-hollow body Rickenbacker 330 in addition to Ovation and Wechter accoustics. This guitar is a nice compliment to these others, with its own distinctive sound and feel. It is, by far, my most versatile guitar I own -- well-suited for just about any style of music except where you want the les paul-style fat humbucker sound. I'm hoping to get some of those vintage toaster-top pickups to replace the modern ones on this guitar. I also wish I'd spent another $100 and gotten the 12-string version.

This is the second and final update to my previous review. I have replaced the bridge pickup with a Rickenbucker (my personal name for a Ric humbucking pickup). Now the sound is perfect, plus I've gotten used to the thinner neck. Now all I need to do is have someone attach the old single coil to the guitar in the middle position; inactive because the insturment is much more versatile sounding now and I wouldn't want to mess that up. Just for visual impact.

This is an update on my previous review (see below). I have stopped playing the style I described and moved on to something more eclectic (it's described my Ric 360 review), and I've found that the sounds produced by this gutiar aren't always as suitable as I thought. I'm either going to replace the bridge pickup with a Rickenbacker humbucker or just trade it in for a 650 Colorado so I can get a cresting wave style body with a wider neck and humbuckers in Fireglo, because sometimes when playing arpeggios I feel like I'm tiptoeing around the strings, and sometimes the hum can be overwhelming and the feedback unusable.

Made in the USA in 2004.
21 frets, Fireglo finish, 2 high output single coil pickups, maple neck and body wings (neck-thru construction), "cresting wave" body style with "R" tailpiece, 24.75" scale, different feel than Ric 300s (Their website says it's the same size, but it feels wider and chunkier to me). Case and cleaning cloth included.

Think a Tele on steroids. I play mostly poppish punk with old school attitude and aggression (think early Green Day/late Descendents with East Bay Ray on guitar), but I also like to branch off into lates 80s/early 90s alternative rock (think Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Pixies) type stuff, you know, when "alternative" meant something. This guitar is great for all those kinds of music. It buzzes, but that's what you get with single coils, and the lead tone is a bit muddy when cranked (although that could be my crappy solid-state Crate amp). I would suggest it for any style of music except really heavy metal, too twangy (though it can do Smashing Pumpkins' heaviest moments pretty well IMHO).

The only adjustment this guitar needed was a little tuning. Other than that, I could play it right out of the case. The finish is nothing short of a work of art; the grain shows through the lightest part of the burst. It's so smooth, almost like a table, though the neck can feel a bit tacky after some hard playing. The bridge and tailpiece are flawlessly constructed.

Maple is one of the toughest, strongest woods out there. After a nuclear war there will be cockroaches, KISS, and this guitar. My strap holds pretty well, but if you move around a lot, I'd suggest getting straplocks. My back craps out before this guitar (it's not heavy, though).

I've never dealt with the company myself, but I hear good things. They offer a pretty good warranty.

I've played a number of guitars (Epiphone Les Paul, Strat, Jaguar with humbuckers, Ibanez Artcore Talman, 12-string acoustic, Ric 360), and I must say it's the best. This is the second Ric I've got (the other is the aforementioned 360). If someone stole it...for reasons of taste, I won't go into it. Suffice to say the thief would SEVERELY regret their mistake. Sometimes I almost wish it had a thicker sound, but I'm not playing death metal, I don't need that. Before you travel the beat-flat path of Fender or Gibson try a Ric. When I first saw it and saw the price, I was like "You gotta be kidding! That dull thing should be no more than $300!" Trust me,
their design might be simple, but that's what makes it timeless, and if you ask me, it's damn sexy. Rics might be expensive, but they are worth every cent.

Made in 2003 in USA. 20-fret neck wider and chunkier than the 300-series Rics (a good thing, IMHO). All-maple solid-body neck-thru with dual truss rods, finished all over (incl. neck and headstock) in glossy Midnight Blue lacquer, white body binding. Chrome hardware incl. adjustable bridge with cover, R tailpiece, enclosed tuners (Schallers I think). White 2-piece adjustable-height pickguard, 2 modern hi-gain Ric single-coil pups, 3-way selector switch, volume and tone for each pup, pup blend, mono and stereo outs (all passive, although use of the stereo outs requires purchase of an accessory processor from Ric). Body shape is a cross between Ric bass and other Ric guitars: cresting wave upper horn, short 330-style lower horn. Light reddish-orange rosewood fretboard with triangular pearloid inlays and finished in glossy clear lacquer. Comes with HSC, toolkit (no truss rod wrench, though). Only wish item is I wonder if a middle pickup with out-of-phase switching like a strat would give you those kinda tones? You could leave the Ric neck-bridge combos intact as-is, but add in the in-between strat tones. Just a thought

I play mostly rhythm with some simple hook-type lead work, basic rock-n-roll styles from mild pop to blues/classic rock, clean to moderate distortion, lots of 1st-position chords. I'm just starting to experiment more with effects but the Ric doesn't seem to need much because it's got such a harmonically rich sound by itself. My main amp is a well-tweaked Epiphone Electar Tube 30 (see my review in the amp section) and I have used/am using an old Boss chorus; Ibanez "Soundtanks" including FL-5 Flanger, TS-5 Tubescreamer, and Digital Delay; a Rat 2; Guyatone VT-3 Vintage Tremolo; I have other effects but have not used them much yet.

This thing sounds very rich and full, and is also more versatile than I thought it would be. And I haven't even used the stereo function yet. Both pups on is the heart of this guitar's tone -- it's classic Ric, bright, thick, punchy, and, yes, jangly. Kinda Tele-like but richer and not as piercingly bright. The 20-fret neck puts the neck pup way back there, and I think this gives it more warmth and bottom than maybe other Rics are known for. The blend control seems to just pan toward one pup or the other, although it's whimsically backward, so that turning it toward the neck pup makes the tone brighter and turning it toward the bridge pup makes it darker. All the tones throughout the blend range are usable for either lead or rhythm, and neither extreme completely cuts out either pup. I've heard this control is really there for the stereo out, but I find it really useful in mono. The neck pup alone doesn't have the midrange punch of the typical neck pup, although it's a nice meaty sound, and I also find it useful for an almost "acoustic" tone in quiet passages. The bridge pup alone gives maximum jangle but you obviously lose bottom.

This thing is so harmonically rich it sounds pretty rock-n-roll even relatively clean (think early Beatles, "A Hard Day's Night," "You Can't Do That," etc.), but it also works as well with distortion as any other guitar I've owned (American Standard Strat, Yamaha 1-1-2 strat copy, Danelectro Baritone). I guarantee it will sound glorious through any good tube amp with the gain set clean and the master cranked for power-tube distortion. Any distortion effect or high-gain preamp that preserves the character of the guitar's sound (e.g., my Tubescreamer and Rat) will work great. If you're into the really heavy stuff, it can do that, but there are better and/or cheaper guitars for that kinda stuff (check out the Ric 650 if you like it heavy but think you want a Ric). Like any floating-tailpiece guitar, sustain is not optimal, although no worse than, say, a strat with a traditional tremolo.

There is nothing I don't like about the way this guitar sounds. There isn't a sound in there that isn't usable.

This guitar is absolutely beautiful. Ric is justly famous for gorgeous paintwork, and this guitar lives up to the rep. Thought I wanted Jetglo, but when I saw the midnight blue, I had to have it. Everthing shines and glows and begs you to keep it clean and polished like a classic car in your driveway.

I don't know how well it was set-up at the factory, but when it got to me it was a little off. The action was too low and buzzed if I played hard. I adjusted the truss rods a little because it had no relief that I could see, and raised the bridge a little and now it's fine, except that the g-string saddle is all the way back and the intonation is still not right. I'm gonna try different string guages so the jury is still out on this. It arrived in Chicago UPS on the coldest day last winter, something like 30 below with windchill, so I can forgive a few setup foibles.

A few legitimate gripes, though: the toolkit did not come with a truss rod wrench; the R tailpiece gets in the way of adjusting the G, B, and high E saddles, so you have to completely unstring it to get at them; the glossy finish all over the neck is pretty but your fingers stick to it so it impedes smooth playing; the pup selector switch and output jacks required a lot of tuner cleaner spray before they stopped crackling every time I moved.

I am confident this guitar will stay looking, playing, and sounding good for a long time. The finish looks as deep as the ocean, the chrome is thick, the hardware is stout and firmly attached. Neck-thru construction and dual truss rods will keep the neck true and stable. I routinely use it on a gig with no backup

The noisy switch and jacks are disappointing, but an easily solved problem

Never dealt with Rickenbacker

Been playing 24 years, electric 15. Other gear described above.
I love just about everything about it -- the sound, the look, the feel of solidity. Probably the feel of the glossy neck is the wierdest thing.
I looked at Fenders, both Teles and Strats (I have owned a Strat before), as well as Gibson and Epiphone semi-hollows. For me Rics have more character to their sound without sacrificing much, if any, versatility. I looked at the semi-hollow Rics but didn't like the skinny necks and felt the set-neck joint felt somewhat flimsy. I am very happy that I settled on the 620.
Wish it had a 3rd pickup (see comments in "Features")

2003 Made in USA. 21 frets. solid maple, neck-through construction. Two volume and two tone knobs, 3-way switch and blend knob. Two Hi-gain pickups, stereo and mono outs, rosewood fretboard, Solid turquise finish with just a hint of metallic, body and neck binding, R-tailpiece, Schaller tuners, 25-inch scale, Thick C-shaped neck with medium frets. Includes standard case with keys, polish cloth and allen wrenches.

I play all forms of rock and dabble in folk, jazz, blues, etc. I play mostly through a 30W Roland Blues Cube but sometimes get to go through a 68 Fender Twin Reverb. The Hi-gain pickups give a bit of hum but nothing unbearable. This baby sounds like a Ric. Not the full jangle of a 12-string but the pure 6 string sound that you'd associate wiht R.E.M., Petty, The Who, The Jam, etc. Very versatile sounds available with the blend knob once you understand what it actually does. It gives me exactly the sound I was looking for, rich, jangly, bright. Every note within a chord rings and sustains.

The action is perfect, the intonation and factory settings are pure. No guitar can match a Rickenbacker for finish. It's just a work of art. From the intricate neck binding to the R-Tailpiece dripping in chrome to the sharkfin inlays to the countours it's just gorgeous. Handcrafted in the USA with an attention to detail that no other manufacturer will attempt for anywhere close to the price. The only flaw is the neckthrough joints show slightly in the light on the back of the guitar. It's a flaw that is at the wood joint, there is no seam that can be felt in the actual finish. It's barely noticeable but to a trained eye it's there. Still, the finish and binding is much better done than any other guitar in my collection.

This guitar is meant to be played live. It's built very thin so it's light but it sustains for days because it's a neck through. All of the hardware is top-notch. The finish, while beautiful, is durable as well. Strap buttons are solid and it's going to my next gig. I would always carry a backup for a Rickenbacker since changing strings on an R-Tailpiece is time consuming.

I haven't had any direct dealing with Rickenbacker. Warranty is 1-year on finish and 5-years on the guitar itself.

I've been playing poorly for about 20 years now. I own a 1987 MIJ Squier Stratocaster, a 1997 MIJ Squier Venus, a 2002 MIM Fender Stratocaster, a 2003 USA Fender Highway 1 Telecaster, a 1998 MIK Squier Affinity Telecaster refinished and modded with a Bigsby tremolo, an SX LP Clone, two custom built strats and one custom tele. I play through a 30W Roland Blues Cube occasionally with a Chorus, Distortion and Crybaby Wah.

If this were lost or stolen I would save up and buy another one, possibly a 330 or 360. I still want a hollow-body Ric. I bought this one for two reasons. I've always wanted a Ric and it was such a great deal I couldn't say no. MF is closing out the turquoise Rics and they may still have one if you're looking for one. It's got so much quality for $800. It's basically a 360 in specs, finish and features without the hollowbody and 21 instead of 24 frets. But the neck-through construction adds a dimension that the 330 and 360 don't have.

Purchased new 2003 model in Jetglo

I am in a jangle-pop/country outfit, this is the sound. TONS of sustain, augmented by compression, to me a must for any single coil.
This guitar practically plays itself, sings like a bird, and looks like a T-bone steak five days from payday.

What can you say about rickenbacker finishes, save that they are the standard by which all others are measured. Absolutely stunning.

Obviously haven't had it too long, but it feels as tough as a baseball bat.

I can't see any reason to call. but I have heard they are slow to respond.

I played this guitar once and sold all of my Fenders, 2 teles and 2 strats. 'Nuff said.

1985 model that has the vintage "toaster top" pickups. Has shark-fin inlay markers on rosewood fingerboard, and fully bound body. Neck-through body design. Schaller tuners, R-piece. Has the Ric-O-Sound feature (I've never used), and the 5th "blend" knob. I've got all the features I need here!

Has that Ric sound that you won't get anywhere else. I like the vintage toaster sound. Ricks are known for the jangle, and the treble sound, but this has good bass as well. The blend knob can be a help or a hinderence at times - it gives a fuller range of adjustment, but sometimes it is a hassle to have to mess with it. It balances the front and back pickup, but you can still do this by matching pickup volume like on every other 2 pickup guitar. I did own a "Riff" Rick 330 copy at one point. It was a great guitar, and a great copy, but nothing is as good as the "real" thing.

This is a used, nearly 20 year old guitar with its share of dings and marks from use. Even with these, it is still beautiful!!! I have a "fireglo", which is the most stunning finish for Ricks. This one is more "orangy" than the newer models that are more red. I've heard it described as "autumnglo". It makes it much more distinct. Ricks, in my opinion, have simply the best finish and appointments of any production guitar.

Still solid after 20 years. No loose tuners, tarnish, loose pickups, strap buttons, or hardware at all. This guitar has obviously been played, but the finish is still fine. Glossy fingerboard is still shiny!

Never had to deal with them. I've heard good and bad about them, but I have no experience.

I always wanted a Rick, and I finally took the plunge. I would have preferred a 360 but I like the 620 because it is nice and light, and has a great range. They are certainly pricy, but craftsmanship is always more expensive. If you like Ricks, this is a great model to own.

She's form and function, a 2000 620 fireglo, neck through body, 21 frets with ric o sound and an extra volume knob that I see no use for so far. It seems to adjust the volume of the neck pickup. I think you use it to balance the volume of the bridge and neck pickup however you can do that with one of the other two volume knobs. Maybe there's something else to it or you need to do the stereo thing to truely utilize the fifth knob. The pick ups are a little weak but I'm a Les Paul man. The tone is greaat I just have to adjust the volume on the amp when I switch guitars for certain songs. It has great hardware just obvious quality in craftsmanship.

I play hard rock, I wanted one cuz Lennon had a Ric, however his was a 3/4. I play through a Silverface Twin. I use lots of Boss effects and a comptortion to push the twin. I'm really used to Les Pauls so it's difficult to adjust the the single coil attributes. It isn't as loud but it cuts through more than Les Pauls. So the stage volume adjustment will take some work for me. It has a pretty clean and drives well cuz it's a solid body. I'm still confused about the fifth knob

This is where the guitar is rediculous. It has the prettiest finish known to mankind. It could be in a museum. The crafmanship is unbelievable. You can't find a fault. My Pauls are vintage and don't even come close. Hand Made in the USA. I'm not too crazy about the gloss finish on the fretboard but that is too subjective for me to lower the score.

I play out on weekends. I always bring back up guitars. It would be crazy not to. I might break a string! This guitar is made well I'm not too worried about it.

Actually they emailed promptly and gave some suggestions. And I bought the guitar used.

Sometimes I wish it was a 12 string. I've had it 6 months and I'm still getting used to the neck cuz I've had les pauls for 15 years. It's fretboard's narrow width runs parralel from the nut to the body. The neck is also thick at the nut end and has the illusion of being narrow near the body. Even if I didn't play it I'd want to keep it to hang on the wall. or just to walk around as a piece of sculpture.

This is a 1998 in Maple Glo. I bought it through Ebay as new and only played once or twice. It still has the sales ticket from Height Ashbury Music, the hanging tags and even the duster! This really is a great guitar, Rickenbacker know how to do this!!
Very pretty ? size maple body but with a 24 ? scale neck. The board is laquered rosewood with those stunning shark fin crushed pearl inlays. It has two high output single coil pups and the usual four pattern controls. The fifth knob IS useful to preset tones or volumes ? Do look at the manual or try the Ric website.
The hardware is a lesson for other manufacturers to learn ? the ?R? tailpiece is not only a good looker, the chrome is really deep. The bridge is height adjustable with individual intonation. I?m not so sure about the bridge cover but that?s a personal thing anyway. The pick guard is very substantial as is the selector switch. The guitar is finished off with Schaller machines and Strap Locks.

My first reaction is how clean and clear this guitar is with good separation ? you can hear each string in a chord. It does that Ricky thing to a tee but there?s much more if you want it. I do tend to play clean and use a Twin Reverb. There is a warmth and some compression in the pickups which adds to a driven sound (which I don?t really use a lot). This guitar really has quality and does lend itself to many styles. Just look at who plays them!
OK so it hums a bit but so do my Teles and my Strat. I?m a live player so it doesn?t worry me at all. I love single coils and this is what you get unless you want to buy different pups.

This guitar was very well set up. It came with 10/42s and I play 10/46s. This meant some minor tweaks to the truss rod and thew bridge. I have lowered the action a little but that's just a personal thing!
I don't work for Rickenbacker but they could teach a lot of big name makers how to do it!

I can?t comment on reliability and durability. My 620-12 works hard and I rely on it. We?ve stayed good friends. Can I say yet again, Rickenbacker know how to make a good guitar!

I can?t comment on reliability and durability. My 620-12 works hard and I rely on it. We?ve stayed good friends. Can I say yet again, Rickenbacker know how to make a good guitar!

I've been playing 40+ years. I own Fenders, Guild and Gibson as well as a Rickenbacker 620-12.
This guitar is really well built and it looks very very good indeed.
Steal it? Don't even go there! But yes I would walk to Santa Ana and buy one.

-this guitar was made in california,USA in 2000.
-I think it has 21 frets.
-its got a solid top.
-the 5th knob is a bit of a mystery. its smaller and sounds best when all the way down. that makes it louder. (what??) 5 knobs/3 way toggle.
- 2 single coils. I replaced the neck pickup with a rickenbacker humbucker that fit.
-very passive
-maple
-I got the jet glow finish - aka black with white binding
-small body
-the bridge - well its not a floyd rose
-schaller tuners
-neck through body with medium frets
-came with a case

-I knew I liked this guitar at first, but was slightly hesitant. I realized it was because the pickups just didnt have as much output as I wanted it to. I play in an instrumental band that needed very clean clear guitar to cut through. I replaced the neck single coil pickup with a rickenbacker humbucker and that reduced the hum and increased in the output. also, after playing this guitar for about 6 months, I broke it in. It feels much more comfortable and sounds better than it originally did. Now I much prefer it over the guitar it replaced. It suits my style of clean uneffected playing perfectly - especially because of the neck through body aspect of it.
-I use a fender blues deville 4x10 combo. (I was surprised to see someone else on here also does that) It also sounds good and cleaner through my friends solid state ampeg guitar combo. No effects whatsoever.
-the original pickups produce hum.
-I felt the original pickups didnt produce a rich or bright enough sound. the rickenbacker humbucker filled out the sound, but its certainly not too bright.
-I'm not going for variety, so I'm pretty happy with the clean tone it provides.
-I like everything about it except the pickups and the lack of complete clairity in the low end (though that's nothing that fiddling with knobs on the amp for a while wont fix)

-this guitar was set up superbly at the factory. I raised the action as high as it could go because I'm crazy like that, but to most people it would have been perfect.
-no flaws whatsoever

-the guitar looks kind of fancy and seems like it might be delicate, but I'm not too easy on a guitar and it is holding up very well. It will certainly withstand live playing. I took it on a bus trip accross the country in one of those backpack gigbag things on the greyhound bus. it made it in one piece through security checkpoints.
-the hardware will last forever and if not, rickenbacker can replace any and all of it. I removed the chrome cover that goes over the string saddles on the bridge because it got in the way of my style of playing and it still works great.
-the finish is deluxe and will not wear
-solid strap buttons
-it seems more dependable than I thought it would be. its much more dependable than my last guitar (a heavy metal guitar with floyd rose set up). its very solid.
-I never have a backup at gigs. my last guitar wimped out on me. that's why I had to get this one. this one wont wimp out.

the company is kind of small and I talked to them on the phone when I damaged my rickenbacker bass. they told me if I couldnt get it fixed they would take it back in their factory. also rickenbacker makes all replacement parts available.
I ordered a replacement humbucker pickup and recieved prompt email response, a live person on the phone, and mail prompt delivery in the process. They were very good about giving their opinion on how the replacement pickup would "retrofit."

-I've played the guitar since summer 88. I also own a rickenbacker bass, a couple Ibanez metal guitars and a few various amps.
-if this guitar was stolen or lost I would replace it with the same model with the same pickup replacement. or else I'd try to find the 610 model which is very similar, just with no binding and dots instead of triangles on the fretboard.
- I love how it looks, plays, sounds and feels.
- I hate the lack of brightness and clarity in the low end but that could be all because of the amps I use it with. I also didnt like the original pickups which are very authentic to its vintage roots. I'm sure they would suit many players styles fine though.
-my favorite feature is the way the neck through body gives it a much better sound than my last guitar. I like how it has a small body and unique shape.
-I picked this guitar over anything else in its price range or any other price range for that matter. I chose it because its very unique, its a solid body/neck through, its small, its classy yet basic looks, and is of extremely high quality.
-I wish it didnt have that mystery 5th knob on it.
-after breaking it in and replacing the pickup, this guitar became my main guitar and will remain so for at least the next 10 years.

Mine is a 2001 model-- with That great small cresting wave body. It is mostly maple with a highly laquered rosewood neck-(beautiful)and crushed pearl inlay. It has two pickups with volume and tone for each- and that great Blend knob that I love. The Finish is a beautiful Desert Gold that is stunning! Ric's finishes is like no other guitar finish! they are just Beautiful. It has the ultra cool R tail piece that makes this guitar a Classic. And it has std. or Rickosound inputs (way cool)!Schaller tuners and strap locks and I got that classic vintage case with mine (silver & Dark Blue interior).

This guitar can do it all! Rock- blues- punk- jazz- and even Polka's. I play mine through a Fender amp. And I can dial in many different tones!

Mine was set up by Chris at "Pick of the Rick's" and it was dead on. I feel Rickenbacker goes out of their way to sell a wonderful American made guitar. I could not find a single problem!

I feel this guitar will be around for a long long time! Wonderful Quality always provides a well lasting product! I know I have been Quality inspector most of my life! And yes I would always use a backup no matter what guitar I play.

I have dealt with them a few times and they were always very helpful and friendly!

This is my all time favorite Rickenbacker! Ever since I saw John Lennon with his and John Fogerty with his -I've been hooked. I will always have a Rickenbacker guitar cause I just love them! Do yourself a favour and play one today!

1997, Fireglow. Neck-thru all maple construction, but thin and light. The body's so small, it looks like a 3/4 size box. Top quality hardware and finish, Schaller tuners and strap locks. Two "Hi-gain" single coils (comparable to early overwound Fenders).Chunky neck feels like a Fender "C". Extra tone control is really a plus (see below).

It can be smoother that a Strat or a Tele (both of which I use) plus it does the "Ric thing" to a "T". I use it through a variety of tube and tranny amps, and it takes very little adjustment on the amp side. The added blend control even fattens up the bass pick up for early Clapton, Leslie West type tones. I gave it a nine only because I'm never satisfied when it comes to tone.

No flaws what so ever. Even with the thick skin finish, it felt like an old friend from the start.

So far so good. And I don't take it easy on my guitars. A lot of players beef about the pick guard being flimsy, but I rest on the bridge, so it doesn't matter to me.

Bought used, never had to deal with Company.

In 35 yrs of playing, I should have tried one of these years ago. I use 20-30 guitars, mainly Fenders, but a few Gibsons, etc. I can rotate them all as back ups for the 620, it feels and sounds that good. Has anybody ever seen a 620 6/12 double neck? That's the only way I could replace this box.

1987 USA
You know what it has
The best Tailpiece out there
a beautiful Jetglo Body with funky Pickguards
sweet retro looks and 2 high gain pickups

I abosolutely love the sound of the 620
I play alot of funk and it's perfect for funk
i'm in jazz band at school and it does the job there
i'm also in 2 youth group bands and it sounds great blasted
i have a Marshall Valvestate and A DD-3 Boss Delay pedal and a George Dennis Wah
I like to ride on the Bridge Pick-up alot and turn off the other one for a good kill effect, but i also use the neck pickup for a good mellow mix

when i got the guitar the pickguard was cracked, which is no bother to me
once i looked into a new one but turned right around when i saw that it would be over $100 by the time i had in on the guitar
when i bought it the had some medium strings on it
now i use Dean Markley Jazz strings on it and i didn't even have to adjust anything
THe body had a few tiny chips but i found that the black marker does wonders

I use this guitar everyday of the week
and it leaves my house about every 3 days to be used somewhere
when i was younger(last year) i was stupid and i left my guitar in the car overnight(during the winter) a couple of times but the ricky held up to perfection
i never bring back up when i'm using the 620 because it never fails me

The Company is great
they sent me a free catelog
2 thumbs up
plus they make the best guitars in the world

Overall i love this guitar
if i get famous or rich i will never replace the Rickenbacker 620, but maybe just back it up with a Fender Telecaster '72 thinline. But don't let me mislead you the 620 is much better than the tele..

Purchased New, 1997 Fireglo, I think it's called. Like a sunburst only reddish and whitish in color. R style tailpiece. Thru body neck. Rick O Sound and regular output jacks. 2 single coil pickups, 3 position selector switch, bass & treble tone & volume controls, and a Rick O Sound effects control that acts somewhat like a mixer/equalizer when using the standard jack output. Solid body, no 'body cutaway' like on strats for curving around your waist/stomach. Made in California. 24 frets. High sheen finish, almost like a polyurethane finish on furniture. Neck maybe slightly thinner than LP's, but really nice distance between all strings; high e not too close to edge of fretboard as on many other name brand guitars. New, came with a hardshell case, a polishing cloth, a little toolkit for the truss rod.

This guitar is awesome. Sound is absolutely sweet, especially in the middle position. Tones are all clarified enough that you can play lead without switching to 1st position on the selector switch. I play everything from Celtic to jazz to blues to regular and alternative rock, and it sounds good with all of them. The fretboard is unbelievably quick, like playing an SG but with sweeter, thicker tones than an LP. I find, unlike most other guitars I've had including SG's and Strats, that I never switch out of 2nd position on my selector. I'm playing thru an Ampeg Reverbrocket, and the 2 are perfect together. The guitar has great sustain. Nice full sized pickguard that protects the whole strumming/picking area, not just the lower end. Pickups can be slightly noisy if you're not playing, but unnoticeable once you're playing. My only dislike is the configuration of the volume and tone controls; bass and treble volume are located all the way down and bass and treble tone all the way up. I feel they're more easily located if one side is bass tone/volume and the other is treble...I find myself constantly grabbing bass volume when I'm looking for treble tone.

Perfect intonation directly from the factory. Using Ernie Ball 10's I found I had to slightly adjust string length on my high 3. Switch selector is not perfectly noiseless, especially if you pause even slightly between switching. Other hardware is of great quality - perfectly aligned frets, no buzz, nice tight tuners. Fretboard is highly polished, which seems to increase my speed because of less drag. Finish is so high sheen it's easy to leave fingerprints. I've used Martin guitar polish on it for 2 years with no obvious ill effects.

I've used this guitar many times live, and without a backup. It has come thru with flying colors. I've had no problem with any of the hardware or anything else. Only complaint maybe is the fact that because of the raised pickguard, it's fairly easy for dust/dirt to collect underneath it, and it's hard to remove unless you're restringing.

Only dealt with the company twice - once sending in the warranty card and another time with a question via email. They answered my question right away. Major complaint: Although the guitar has a 5 year warranty, if you need any warranty work done at all the guitar has to be shipped back to the factory. If the dealer you purchased from will not take care of this, it's your bill to foot. If you live in the east like I do, shipping a guitar to California will not only be expensive (probably at least 20$ once you've insured it)but will take many weeks to get it back. In my opinion, a national guitarmaker such as Rickenbacker should have at least 1 or 2 authorized repair centers around the country.

In 13 years of playing, it's easily the best guitar I've ever owned. I'd purchase another one in a heartbeat. I personally find the Rick O Sound feature an added option that I never use, kind of like taillight defrosters on a mercedes. The action is great, the neck is fast, the tones are just incredibly sweet, and the sustain is great. The only major drawback would be if you did need warranty work done on the guitar. Other than that, I highly recommend this guitar.

1997 620 Jetglow. Solid-body, double pick-up. Vintage single-coils. I purchased this guitar used from Wades Guitar Shop in Milwaukee. Purchase was done by mail. Wade told me the guitar was in showroom condition and he wasn't lying. Not a mark on it. A very visually striking guitar with the "cresting wave" body style. I've been out of playing for almost 15 years and had an urge to start again. When I thought about buying a new guitar I remembered that many years ago I had tried out a Rick and liked it, but couldn't afford it at that time. The one I tried was a 330 hollow bady, not a solid body but I've come to prefere solid-body guitars for their added sustain. This guitar has Schuller tuners, and a trapeze tailpiece. The neck is very quick, and feels quite unlike any other guitar I've ever played. I also received a Rickenbacker vintage hard-side case, the adjustments tools and a Rickenbacker polish cloth with my purchase. This guitar is very nicely finished although the pickguard seems a little flimsy, it's just thin plastic.

This guitar is quite different from my previous guitar (Hagstrom Swede) due to the single-coil pickups. It doesn't have the "Drive" of a guitar with humbuckers, but then I guess it wouldn't be a Rick if it did, this isn't that kind of guitar. The single coils are a bit noisy but have a nice bright sound. I'm currently playing through a Peavey Studio Pro 112. Plugging into the "cooler" jack on the amp which is 10db lower than the other jack helps with the noise. Of course, so does getting farther away from the amp which you would be doing in a gig situation anyway. On the clean channel this guitar is classic Rickenbacker (Bryds, Hollies, early Beatles). On the drive channel it's gets a really nice distortion without any trouble. I don't play metal, I go more for the nice smooth sustain-type of distortion (call it retro if you must). My only gripe so far is that the finish Rickenbacker uses can tend to be a bit tacky to the touch. I've learned that a good hand-washing helps this and finger-eze doesn't hurt either.

I bought this used so it was set-up really nice as it was. I changed strings to 9's and therefore had to make some simple adjustments. Otherwise I have no complaints other than the Pickguard being a bit flimsy. It's really a nicely finished guitar and the previous owner obviously never wore a belt! The electronics are first-rate, no complaints.

I would have no problems at all gigging this guitar without a back-up. Everything seems first-rate. Ricks come with Schaller strap buttons as standard equipment so you can't do better than that. It does seem to need retuning a bit more than I'm used to, or perhaps it's just the tinitus.

I've contacted rickenbacker twice. Once to request a catalog and to inquire about the price of their humbucking pickups. They were really nice, polite and cordial. The other time was over the internet to decode the serial number and find out when it was made. I had an answer back the next day. I doubt I would have any trouble with them, they seem very responsible. There's no warranty on this guitar (used) so I'll have to pass on that one.

I'be been playing for 35 years, but not much in the last 15. I've owned alot of gear over the years, but for now it's just the Rick and the Studio Pro amp. If this guitar were stolen I think I would get another Rick. I love the styling as it's so different from all of the strats, tele's, and LP's out there. I can't think of anything I really hate about it. I think the only thing different I would get on a new one would be the humbucking pickups for a little more drive and noise reduction. Other than that, I'm having a ball. All of my old licks have come back and I'm slowly working on the new ones. Are there any retro drummers and bass players out there who are into "REAL" rock and roll? Byrds, Beatles, Hollies, Yardbirds?

My Ricky is a '93 620 Fireglo. Quite simply, there isn't a guitar on earth that compares (except a vintage 620..maybe). It has 24 frets, and plays so well that an a elephant would sound like hendrix on the thing. It is wired with the Rick-o-sound system which allows a splitting of the output into multiple channels. When not splitting the output, the rick-o-sound functions as an EQ. It has neck-through construction (so it gets tones strats just can't touch) and is made of hard rock maple. A beautifulguitar that I was able to find for just over $600.

I play lots of stuff- from punk to traditional Celtis, and this guitar can do it all. I'm usually running through a Fedner Hotrod Deville 4x10, which sounds really nice. It has a wide tonal pallate, from a deep bass, roaring (yes, that is the correct adjective) mid and a soothing high end. I love this guitar.

The action is set really low on the guitar (which I like), but can be easilt adjusted at the bridge. The pickups are great, no cheap stuff here. Aesthetically pleasing, I named her "Lust".

Not much to say here, but this may be the ONLY drawbeck- Rick has a weird -plasticy finish they put on their guitars for sheen that is pretty high maintenance. You have to use specialiszed cloths and chemicals on it too, or the finish could be permanently damaged.

Never had a problem

I've been playing for about7 years. My other electric is a Charvel model 3. If I ever lost the guitar, I'd go right back and get another. I'm sold. You should be too. Even if you're not interested in Ricks, I suggest you go play one, they are very different in playability and dynamic than other popular guitars on the market. They are also WORTH EVERY PENNY. Please try a Rick before you go down the ever-popular Gibson or Fender road. I can almost guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised, and then kick yourself for not considering this brand of guitar sooner.