Rickenbacker 330 Thinline Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Jetglo Reviews

As expected, an incredible gear!
The best tone ever!kit

After many years of playing a Fender Strat and Les Paul Custom, I finally bought this Rickenbacker 330. This is my first semi-hollow body guitar. The sound of this Ric is very different with or without an amp. Almost a ringing sound comes from the sound hole while playing. Whether this is the "jangle" everyone talks about I'm not sure, but its sound is unique. I was happy that Sweetwater had it set up so well. It plays well up and down the neck with little effort. The lacquered Jetglo finish is absolutely beautiful, as is the padded case. I won't be using the case much though, as this guitar will be in a stand, available for quickly picking up and playing constantly! My thanks to Alberto Rosado-Perez who got me this American made instrument in just 4 months. Previously another "Guitar company" made me wait 8 months, then cancelled my order due to their financial problems. Alberto and Sweetwater have given me faith in online guitar buying again.

I just received my 330 JG, and it is even better than I had expected. It's set up perfectly, looks and sounds awesome, and I am in Ric heaven. Buying it from Sweetwater was a no brainer, as their service and communications are second to none. It was double-boxed and arrived safely. My Sales Engineer Austin is the best. Luckily, my wait time for it was shorter than we expected. Thanks, Sweetwater.

I will start by saying that I have been playing a Strat for a very long time so that is what I am used to. I saw this Ric 330 demo and decided to take a chance. I have always loved hearing that "Ric" sound by Peter Buck, Mike Campbell, Tom Petty, Beatles, Johnny Marr ( playing REM's "Radio Free Europe" loses something on a Strat). So I ordered it. My Sweetwater sales/wizard guy Jeff Barnett got it in the mail quick and it arrived 2 days later.

Upon opening and inspecting the guitar for the finish defects that made this guitar a "demo" I found that with the high gloss black finish they were virtually invisible. I was struck by the build quality of this guitar. It also felt like an alien as I am used to my Strat. It took a little getting used to Rickenbacker's volume/tone knob layout and getting the hang of the 5th knob ( blending both pups together). I have had this guitar for a few months now and I must admit I was going to send it back at first (it was so beautiful I was afraid of dinging it or even getting a fingerprint on it) but spent more time playing it and getting the feel. I play this thru my Vox AC10 or limited edition "Fudge Brownie" Princeton and it sounds great. The high gain pups are not the traditional "toaster" pups but they scream when pushed and clean up when dialed back. That famous Ric chime is all there and it is glorious. Put this guitar thru a Big Muff or Fulltone OCD and it is creamy.

I thought at first this guitar would be a one trick pony but after spending time with the pick ups and blend and tone knobs there is a ton of tone in here.

If you are considering a Ric I would say take a 330 for a ride , you may never give it back.

If you were around in the 60's during the British Rock Invasion, you learned about the Rickenbacker from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and many other groups. A departure from the Surf Music of the Fender Jaguar, and Stratocaster, the Gretsch and Rickenbackers were now taking front line. OK enough with history. I wanted to EASE into the Rickenbacker line, and talked with my Sweetwater advisor, Mike Chapman. I discussed purchased the 325C64, as I thought this would be a great choice, and I am sure it is, but as Mike suggested, the 330 Jetcglo Thinline was currently be sold at a very good price, and would provide me the opportunity to get a Rick for a great price, the 325C64 would take a year and I wanted it now.

First let me disclose, I am NOT a professional musician, I have been playing since 1965, but on and off, and never in a band. I enjoy learning new OLD songs, and increase my skills. So I am a novice, now I read many reviews, good and bad, so Mark and I discussed this at length. I took the chance, ordered it, concerned, but knew I could send it back if it was not what I expected. I received it, opened the wall packed boxes, and open the case, it was a thing of beauty, here it was in my living room in front of me, a real Rickenbacker, the guitar of dreams. I removed it from the case, and inspected every inch. The fit and finish was perfect. I plugged into my Vox AC30C2X, and there is was, the exact tones of the British Invasion. WOW, the tones I have been looking for for years. I played the lick for the Beatles version of She so Fine. and it sound just like the record. AMAZING.

As far as the playability of this guitar. I own MANY fine guitars, everything from the Gretsch G6122T-62GE Vint Select Country Gentleman to a vintage Fender 62 Stratocaster, so I understand the variables on the finger board. This guitars fingerboard feels a little winder, so if you have a larger hand this is ideal, and plays and sound great.

Fit and finish was perfect, the construction of the guitar is what you should expect from the Rickenbacker company. Dials are clean providing great transitions in tone and volume, the fifth button I am still getting familiar with, combines and blends tones. The paint was a smooth clean finish, no orange peel on my this guitar, beautiful gloss finish. Tuning Keys are smooth and exact. Retuned with no problem at all. Guitar is smaller then other, but I knew this, easy to hold, and fret are well proportioned. Pickups are nice, responsive , and sound very good.

I gave five starts because this model 330 was a pleasant surprise for me, and was much more of a guitar than I expected. From other reviews I either go an excellent guitar, or they are extremely picky, but regardless, I am delighted with this one I received, highly recommend it to the person who wants a RICK but does not want to break the bank buying one. Again the fit and finish on mine is perfect and I can not complain at all. Maybe in the future I will be the 325, but for now I am enjoying the tones of the British Invasion. So I say even if your not a great guitar player, if you enjoy it, and you love music, keep at it, and buy those dreams of your childhood. CHEERS to all.

The only reason they did not get a 5 is because equipment is good everywhere. These guys make it better because of what they do. It's the people there that make the difference. The guy that I work with turned out to be a good friend. Thank you Vern. I've dealt with several other people they're all professional and knowledgeable. Been playing for over 50 years guitar keyboard bass and drums about 20 years professional.

I have been waiting a VERY long time to buy a Rickenbacker. I finally bit the bullet and ordered one and boy did it not go well. I returned the first one I received almost immediately. Visual inspection yielded orange peel to the finish in multiple places, the neck was warped, and there was a crack in the finish next to the neck on one side. The replacement I received was just as bad if not worse. More orange peel in the finish and this time the face of the guitar was scratched by what looks like a rough cloth that was used to polish or wipe it down. Needless to say, I returned this one as well almost immediately. I also contacted Rickenbacker about these issues so they were aware. Maybe it was a bad batch but since this was the first time I've spent more than $500 on a guitar, it has really put a damper on my future purchases or lack thereof. I hate writing bad reviews but I have to be honest.