Image: Brian Krashpad, CC BY-SA 3.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Rickenbacker 620
| Category | Strings (electric guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Classification | electric guitar |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q7331904 |
Overview
The Rickenbacker 620 is a solid-body electric guitar in the company’s 600 series. It shares the distinctive cresting-wave body outline of the semi-hollow 330 but is carved from solid maple, giving it greater sustain, a brighter top end, and additional weight. Two single-coil pickups, the standard Rickenbacker dual-output jack arrangement, and a horizontal trapeze tailpiece make the 620 instantly recognisable as a member of the brand’s mainstream catalogue.
Origin & History
Rickenbacker introduced the 600 series in the late 1950s as a more affordable solid-body partner to its semi-hollow flagship designs. Production has continued essentially without interruption ever since, with the 620 settling as the standard two-pickup solid-body of the line. A 12-string variant, the 620/12, has also been a continuous production model, frequently appearing on stage with bands seeking the chiming Rickenbacker 12-string voice without the hollow-body feedback issues of the 360/12.
How It’s Played
The 620 plays as a solid-body version of the familiar Rickenbacker shape: a comfortable medium-scale neck, dot or triangle inlays depending on year, and the standard Rickenbacker control layout of two volumes, two tones, a master blend, and a three-way pickup selector. The dual-output jack lets the player send each pickup to a separate amplifier — Rickenbacker’s “Rick-O-Sound” system — for stereo recording or live work. The voice is bright, articulate, and well suited to jangle-pop, indie, and post-punk styles.
Cultural Significance
The 620 has been a steady working instrument across several generations of guitar-led pop and rock. Players including Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles have made the model a visible part of their stage identity, and the 12-string version has played a role in the chiming-arpeggio sound associated with Rickenbacker’s broader heritage. The instrument’s combination of unmistakable visual identity and reliable production has kept it in continuous demand.
Related Instruments
- Rickenbacker 330 – semi-hollow sibling
- – higher-tier semi-hollow
- Gretsch G6131 – contemporary chambered solid-body
- Gibson L-6S – contemporary solid-body rival
- Gibson SG Special – contemporary mainstream solid-body
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 620 hollow or solid?
Solid — carved from a single block of maple.
Is there a 12-string version?
Yes — the 620/12 is a long-running production variant.
What are the two output jacks for?
Standard mono and Rickenbacker’s “Rick-O-Sound” stereo output.
