I just got my 360/12 back from the amazing Dr. Arnquist. It is so much better that it's hard to believe it's the same guitar.
In addition to Mark's famed wider nut, I ordered a 12-saddle bridge and a pair of toasters.
First, the nut:
When I bought this Rick, I found (as have some of you) that I couldn't use my normal fingering on even basic open chords. My A chord would often mute the 1st & 5th strings; my C would mute the 3rd. The damn strings were just too close together. If any of you have bought that video "The 12 String Guitar of Roger McGuinn," you know that even he had trouble with it, and adopted different fingerings. I've played a cheap acoustic 12 string for years, and never had these problems. Mark's modified nut completely solved this. I can now just grab any chord the way I've always grabbed it, and it just works. I can play it just like I play any other guitar.
As for the 12-saddle bridge, it too is a must-get. Mark was able to intonate the guitar perfectly; it seems to be in tune no matter where I play it, and I can hear no difference at all between the pitch of a string fretted at the 12th fret, and its harmonic in the same position. Try that with a 6-saddle bridge!
The toaster pickups sound fabulous. They look cool, too. I can't compare them directly with the hi-gains, as I also upgraded to a better amplifier while my guitar was spending time in the state of Washington. But they sound really crisp, and now have just the sound I'm after. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I'm now able to have all the strings ringing out, thanks to the nut.
By the way, the strings are now "as low as possible without buzzing," as Mark's wife would say. Mark found the truss rod to be completely loose. It's not anymore. Where is quality control in Santa Ana?
If John Hall happens upon this thread, I would like to say that Mark is making your products even better and I consider 12 string saddles bridges superior to using 6-saddle bridges on 12-string guitars.
As for the rest of you, thanks for creating this community, without which I would never have learned of Mark's talents, and would have suffered with a guitar that wasn't all it could be. And if you haven't already, schedule a session with your /12 at the Doctor's office. Your guitar may also have a brush with fame: apparently my guitar was used to set the string height of Paul Kantner's.
Thanks again Mark. You're a guitar god!
Everyone with a Rick 12 should send it to Mark!
Moderator: jingle_jangle
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corey
While I didn't get Mark to set up my guitar, I did get my tech to do it using Mark's specific instructions. Needless to say, I am pleased with the results.
I'm very happy with the 12 saddle bridge, but have opted to "work around" the string buzz issues on the open chords that you spoke of. I found it difficult at first, but with enough practice, I've trained the old fingers to get along just fine. I also prefer the strings where they are as their closeness to one another makes using my ebow on the 12 VERY interesting.
I'm very happy with the 12 saddle bridge, but have opted to "work around" the string buzz issues on the open chords that you spoke of. I found it difficult at first, but with enough practice, I've trained the old fingers to get along just fine. I also prefer the strings where they are as their closeness to one another makes using my ebow on the 12 VERY interesting.
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ralph