Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello, I'm about ready to accomplish a life-long dream of mine and purchase my first Rick 12. I'm caught between the standard 360/12 and 360/12c63. Anyone here played both and can offer their opinion on comparison? I'm drawn to the 12c63 of the pickups, and also being a huge George Harrison fan. That trapeze tailpiece is also great stuff. But also wonder if the 360/12 has modern improvements, superior in playability to the 12c63.

I know I'm getting a quality instrument either way, but wondering if anyone else has an opinion. Thank you!

Welcome Matt and congrats in advance. The standard 360 was changed from 21 to 24 frets in the 70's to be more modern, and resulted in a more stable neck at that time. A modern reissue will be stable no matter how many frets it has. The hi gains, I've found, are more midrangey and sit better in a band mix. Toasters do fine too but may need compression for the punch you might need competing with a drum kit. Do you need stereo out? Do you want double bound or the beveled edge?

Hi Matt - It depends if you prefer the Double Bound Body and pointed horn style of the C63 or the Rounded over, softer horns "New Style" of the standard 360-12. The C63 has the vintage Toaster Pickups with Alnico magnets and the 360-12 comes with the High Gain Ceramic Magnet style pickups. So your Toasters are going to give you more "Jangle" than the High Gains. The 360-12 has the R Tailpiece and the C63 has the Trapeze tailpiece .... there are folks who prefer one over the other. The C63 has the 7 1/4 inch radius freeboard with 21 frets and the 360-12 has the standard 10" crown radius with 24 frets. The 360-12 has both Mono and Rick-o-sound Stereo output jacks while the C63 has the Dual Mono Output jacks. The C63 models have Cross Braced tops which many feel gives nicer tone than standard 360-12 CNC machine routed top piece.

With the 21 frets, Toasters and Cross Bracing, your C63 will likely have more "vintage" sound then your standard New Style 360-12. And nothing beats the look of a Double Bound Rickenbacker ! Its going to come down to a matter of your preferences.

And to confuse the options even more -- there is the wider neck 1993+ 12 string, Double Bound model as a consideration .... choice, choices !

Thanks! Very helpful. I'm leaning towards a double-bound, and have no real need for stereo output too. The more I look at it, the closer I get to the 12c63

But the 1993+ is a good rec, and quite honestly I had forgotten about. Early on I was a bit distracted by the middle pickup, I.e. Thinking I would hit it with my pick but I think I could practice that away. The neck width is appealing there too. You're right about options! The plot thickens...

Ok, so after more deliberation and even playing them, I went with the 1993 Plus! The wider neck just really sealed the deal at the end of the day and I like the sound with that 3rd middle pickup.

I got one brand new and haven't put it down yet. It needs a setup as I'm getting some buzzing on the low E/A strings but other than that, looks and plays great. I'll wait until the strings get a little older and get it setup, probably replacing with the Winfield TOM bridge too. Thanks for the help and recommendations.