New to Rickenbackers

awoodfellow · Post by **awoodfellow** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:45 am

Folks,

I've been a dead head acoustic player for 30+ years. My life companions since their birth are a 73 Guild D25/6 Mahogany Arch-back and a 76 Guild F212 Sunburst.

I have recently found the urge to add electric and I can only think of Rickenbackers. Its like an obsession. I know nothing of Rickenbackers; never played one. Of course, the Rickenbacker reputation as well as its sound is well known to me.

I want ( need

) to get a 360/12 in the Fireglo finish.

I am not unfamiliar with the nuances of owning a 12 string piece. I'd like to learn from the real world folks what to look for when choosing my new 360/12 Rick. What should I expect once I have one.

Thanks.

ambrose woodfellow

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:39 am

Welcome to the Forum, Andrew!

Want, need, must have, are all syndromes with which we are quite familiar.

How big are your fingers?

Strange question, I know, but if your digits are chubby, a 360/12 will be a challenge to play.

Rickenbacker does make a 12 with a wider neck: the 660/12. The wider neck does make a difference.

The 660/12 is a solid-bodied guitar with the vintage "cresting wave" body style.

Have you logged on to Rickenbacker's website and done a comparo yet?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:52 am

Welcome Ambrose. Well, if you have a Guild F212 then you can likely handle any type of Rick 12. I'm sure the neck width of the Guild 12 is close enough to wrap your hands around a 360 (although I think the Guild is even narrower at the nut). They are great guitars! I love mine! But all Ricks are great!

janglebox · Post by **janglebox** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:30 am

Welcome Ambrose.

As an unabashed Ric-12 enthusiast (I'd hardly consider myself an objective voice), I think you'll be thrilled with any Ric 12-string. I favor 360-12s and 370-12s, but have owned and loved a 660-12 and a 330-12.

Definitely try one out before buying. Keep in mind that many who initially are put off by the narrow string spacing soon come to really enjoy playing their Ric 12. A little practice and perseverance is usually all it takes.

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:33 am

Welcome Abrose,

You will receive many opinions on this subject since there are many "seasoned" Rickenbacker aficionados who regularly post on this forum.

You will also find that you can access a lot of very good information about Rickenbacker guitars, basses, steels, amplifiers, ancillary equipment and artists, since again many of the forumites have a lot of specific knowledge in these areas.

In my books the best looking best playing Ric 12 string is either a 360/12 WB or a 360-V64. But I confess I own a 360/12 WB so my opinion is somewhat biased. Having said that they are not that difficult to play. You just have to get used to the smaller width of the neck at the nut. I wish you a good hunt in your pursuit of what is in my opinion the best 12 string on the planet.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:50 am

Welcome from me also, Ambrose. As an "unseasoned" 12-stringer (only 5 months), I endorse the "try before you buy" suggestion. I love my 660/12 and have played a 360/12. The 660/12 was just a little easier because of the added width.

Beyond that, all I have to say is GET A RICK 12!!! Even if you don't play it much, just opening the case and staring at it is sheer joy!

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:32 am

Anyone or anything over 50 is seasoned Howard. So you qualify in that case. LOL

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:30 pm

Boy, that's rough. If Howard is 'seasoned', then I'm fossilized, but still upright and 'trying' to play.

BTW, Ambrose, you now have been properly accosted by our drivel. I'd still go with the 360/12.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:16 pm

its true, Ambrose, Rics are like Lays potato chips. One is never enough.

You need a 660/12 and a 360/6, and thats just for starters.

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:33 pm

Hey Ambrose, if like acoustics you really need to get one of these!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002690.jpg

Cole

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:04 pm

Jeez, Ambrose, Kent is right. Let the moths out of your wallet and(I want to modify his suggestion) buy a Ric 6 and a 12. You only live once.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:23 pm

Welcome to the family, as wacky as any you will ever find!

"I can only think of Rickenbackers. Its like an obsession"

Obsession? Are you kidding, not around here!

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:57 pm

Welcome to the forum!!

I've owned both the 360-12 and 660-12...love 'em both, but even with the narrower neck on the 360, I'd go with it. The 660-12 has a wider , more comfy neck, but a tiny body which keeps getting stuck in my fat rolls when I sit down to play.

awoodfellow · Post by **awoodfellow** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:11 pm

Folks,

I appreciate the welcome, the candid comments and suggestions along with the overt attempts to coerce me into buying multiple Rickenbackers. ( I haven't earned the right to call them Ricks yet

) I've got Dual Guilds, so I can conceive the idea of a Rickenbacker Duo!

Steve, I checked out Janglebox. (its now on my list)

JC, thats one nice acoustic. Does it sound as good as it looks?

Well, I've done a ton of on-line window shopping today. I found a couple of nicely priced 360/12's around the 1200 mark. As my education on electrics and their accessories is very limited, I'm reading up on any tips and tricks for the Rickenbacker I can find. I'm curious about the jack panel and why two jacks and whats the difference between them. So, I've got some reading to do.

Again, I appreciate your input.

Ambrose

awoodfellow · Post by **awoodfellow** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:59 pm

in anticipation......

Geez guys. I've been reading posts on the board that are killing me! (in a very good way, though)

I tripped over to Homespun Tapes and ordered Roger McGuinn's dvd on playing the 12 string. He plays his Rickenbacker on part of the tutorial. Then I clicked over to CDBaby and copped a cd of a jangle band from Australia called Dreamdayers.

So, ok. This is getting weird ..... is this what happens to a Rickenbacker owner? Even before he has one?

'brose