Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Although my very first guitar was a Rickenbacker 660/12 Tom Petty, I stupidly sold it when I was younger. I have several Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster and Telecasters, as well as Rickenbacker guitars (325c64, 360, 360 WB/OS, 650C, 660, 381v69-all 6-string guitars). I've got the bug to get a 12-string, and having a hard time deciding between a 381v69/12 or a 1993Plus. The pros for the 381v69/12 are: it is my favorite design (I REALLY love the look and feel) and I prefer 2 pick-ups over 3. The pros for the 1993Plus are: I prefer the wider neck and it costs less. My biggest fear with the 381v69/12 is that the neck will be too narrow for a 12-string. I get along with both necks as a 6-string, but not sure if the standard neck would feel too cramped as a 12-string? I also only intend to get one 12-string guitar, as I prefer 6-string guitars on most occasions, but I like the idea of playing one when the inspiration strikes. *I know I could also get a 660/12, but it kind of breaks my heart and remind me too much of the Tom Petty model

Thank you everyone on your votes between the 381v69/12 vs. the 1993+ (and video). I was fortunate enough to be able to play them both a bit. I had read a lot online about the standard width Rickenbacker necks being to cramped to play well/easily, and although the wider neck did initially make it easier for me to play cleaner arpeggios, after a bit of time I was able to adjust and play the standard neck well. I don't have particularly thin fingers, but it doesn't seem to be as much of a problem for me as others have reported. As a result, I took home a beautiful 381v69/12 (2018) in Walnutglo (with the Trapeze tailpiece as opposed to the "R") from Wildwood Guitars. It's been so much fun to play, and like my recent 325c64, I am able to adjust and enjoy the quirkiness/personality of it. I find with Rickenbacker guitars, that is often part of the charm, as they really are their own thing. Thank you to everyone for their input, it certainly helped me tune into what to look for and how to compare. BTW, I did enjoy the wider nut width enough to know that a 1993+ is still in my future (it's just this one called out to me first).

You will not regret it! I've had my 381/12 since 1991; it was my first Rickenbacker 12 string. The horns are a bit lest pointy than the later models. I had the Arnquist-style, string-spacing mod completed on mine because I ended up with some "dead" strings when fretting some more complicated open chords. No issues with the re-spaced strings.

Any pics of that Walnut 381?

Mrbigg wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 10:42 pm Any pics of that Walnut 381?

There is a Walnut 381?! Whoa! I've never seen one.