Which 12 string?

sjf · Post by **sjf** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:03 am

I've decided I've got to get a 12

I realise that this is probably subjective, but is there a model that is generally considered to be the one to go for? As usual there's not not much chance of being able to try any, so (if I can find one) i'd have to buy site unseen!

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:27 am

Wow. That's like asking "Which amp should I get"? There are a lot of variables.

Do you like a wide neck or narrow? Do you like the grind of High-Gains or the creamy toasters?

Post a bit more about what type of music you play/like, and what kind of guitars you have/like, and we'll get to work on ya.

And, if you decide you want a 12, I have a couple for sale.

sjf · Post by **sjf** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:00 am

I do prefer the wider neck, but it doesn't have to be. As far as the pickups go being new to Ric's and the lack of guitars to try I don't how each of those sound. If it helps I think I'm probably after the classic (I think) 12 string sound as in the Byrds as well as other sounds!

I like to play the usual classic rock blues stuff, but am willing to try anything guitar wise. I'm not really stuck on type of music. I'm still only really a beginner and just love guitars.

At the moment I have...

Ric 650C.
Ric 650A.
1956 custom shop relic strat.
Guild X160 hollowbody.
Guild D55 acoustic.
Guild Bluesbird goldtop.
National Resophonic O style resonator.
Musicman Axis Super Sport with piezo.
Musicman Axis Super Sport.
Yamaha CSF60 parlour acoustic.

steve_lee · Post by **steve_lee** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:49 am

Hi Steve,

Yowza....how high is up?

It all is in what you hear and feel. As you'll probably find, all guitars speak to you differently including guitars of the same make and the same year.

I have 3 Rickenbacker 12's 66-68 and they all sound different from another. This is when they should have been closely matched spec wise. Wood is funny that way.

My 330-12 is open and woody warm. One 366-12 is tighter and brighter and the other has a somewhat more nasal-ly sound but with sparkle, All the same strings and set-up.

You'll just have to play a bunch and figure which one sounds prettiest to you. Hope this helps. Steve

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:24 am

It's a fact. I have 5 Rickenbacker 12s here right now and each one is very unique in its sound and feel.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:33 pm

Take a look at the 660/12's, too. I love mine - the wider neck is great...

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:48 am

I love mine too!

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:50 am

Dean, it's funny how we never take the sticker off the scratchplate!

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:20 pm

Peter, I have since taken the sticker off of mine, but yeah I have seen a lot of guys that prefer it on.

Holy cow, that is a beautiful fireglo lefty! Especially with the flame in the maple.

I am really happy with my turquoise 660/12. The color is perfect - I love the metalflake finish. My wife says it is the best looking of my guitars by far, too. Plus, it is nice to have one special Rick with all of the extras - checkerboard binding, gold guards, etc. I won't ever need another 12-string, this one is a forever keeper. It plays really nice, too. Just last night I was spinning some basic recordings of our newer original songs and trying to jam up some 12-string overdub parts. Fun!

arbiter · Post by **arbiter** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:40 am

yeah, the wide neck on the 660 is nice, but i still love my 360/12 with toasters.....i'd reccomend trying out all of them first and then deciding.

shochu_brother · Post by **shochu_brother** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:24 am

Having just gotten a new 620/6, I can imagine that a 620/12 might be a little tight (although I haven't played one yet). But based on the feel of the 620/6, I can see why so many solidbody 12 players opt for the 660/12.

But for the 6 string version, I really like the smaller neck of the 620; size wise, it reminds me a lot of my Fender Jaguar.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:19 am

I have three 12 strings, a 381, a 360 and the 660 (all lefties of course!). I bought the 660 blind (lets face it, where in the UK are you going to find a lefty 660/12VP hanging on a shop wall?) as I couldn't cram my fingers in to play a C chord on the other two without catching other strings. I wasn't sure if it would sound as good but I need not have worried. It sounds great, true Rickenbacker 12 string jingle and it is so easy to play.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 12:22 pm

The 660/12 is indeed nice for chords. I'm a bass player primarily, but I can execute a C with little problem. One of our originals has an F# barre with an add note (sorry, I don't know the proper chord name of that one), and I can even pull that off. It's a smooth guitar, especially for a 12-string. Try them all if you can, though. The semi-hollowbody ones have a sweet vibe all their own, too.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe all 660's come with toasters, too.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:56 pm

Here is another vote for a 660/12!

All 660 and 660/12 models come standard with scatterwound toasters.