The Rickenbacker 330, which debuted in 1958, is the most popular guitar from the legendary Californian guitar brand. Its all-maple construction, lacquered rosewood fretboard, and single-coil Rickenbacker pickups combine to create a bright, jangly sound that is heavily associated with the rock and folk-rock bands of the 1960s, as well as the rock and new wave acts of the 1980s into the present day.
Constructed in California in 2011, this guitar has been owned by a collector for its whole life and is in relatively new condition, showing minimal signs of use. There is virtually no fret wear, and the body is largely free of scuffs, scratches, or dings. The only mark on the finish is a chip on the lower waist of the guitar at the front (see photo). All parts are original and function properly. The action is set at a low 2mm at the 12th fret. The neck has a slim but not cramped nut width of 41.3mm, tapering to 49.6mm at the 12th fret. The neck profile has some depth, measuring 22mm at the 1st fret. There is a reasonable amount of material on the shoulders, giving the neck a subtle thickness.
The high-gain pickups from Rickenbacker are somewhat of a misnomer; they aren’t particularly high gain at all. Despite a high impedance in the 11k ohm range for both pickups, the output is relatively low, offering plenty of top-end detail that one would expect from lower-gain pickups.
As suggested, this guitar presents in almost new condition in terms of looks, feel, and playability. It’s a great classic USA-made Rickenbacker that ticks all the boxes.
