I am wondering how the string spacing compares between the 660/12 and the 360/12 with Mark's modified nut spacing. Does the 360/12 with this modification approach the playability of the 660/12?
I played (or tried to) a 360/12 over the weekend and I found it nearly unplayable due to the string closeness. I mean I could barely get a clean chord out of the thing. I have small hands and have been playing for well over 25 years, so it isn't like it is the first time I ever touched a guitar. Is this the reaction most people have and is it something most people adapt to? I'm just afraid that I'll buy one and it will either spend most of its life in its coffin, or I will spend the rest of my life trying to learn how to play the darn thing.
On the other hand I played the 660/12 and didn't have much trouble with it. I really want the 360/12 for the hollow body sound, but loathe the idea of having to spend $1200 on a new guitar, that would immediately require a $250 modification. Does the nut respacing also require that the 12-saddle bridge be respaced?
360/12 with modified nut spacing VS. 660/12
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
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wilbur
Steve,
I appreciate your delima. When I first picked up a 360/12v64 in a music store a few years ago I couldn't believe it. I couldn't get any clean chords. I too have samll hands and skinny fingers and have been playing a long time. I decided then and there that I'll have to forget about buying one of these. I had wanted one since the mid-sixties. Then the more I thought about it, the more of a challenge it became to me and I decided if others could figure it out then I could too. I ended up buying a 360/12CW a year ago last spring. I've not changed the the bridge nor have I had the nut changed. I've found that with practice I can play it. When I first got it someone on here suggested playing it exclusively for a time and that was a good suggestion. I had the most trouble with some of the simple chords down in the 1st postion, like C, Am etc. I play a those chords a lot of time in other positions and that works out well. Also adds to the Ricky jangly sound. I'm happy I bought the guitar and would do it again in a minute. I find I need to keep somewhat in practice on it. If I play one of my 6-strings for a week and then get out the 360/12 to jam with some friends I always feel rusty on it. So I make an effort to not go for a long period without playing it. Good luck with your decision but I encourage you to give the 360/12 a try if that is the one that you really want. If it doesn't work for you then at a later time you can always try Mark's mods. BTW, the original 6 saddle bridge has worked pretty well for me. I have to tune the low E root string just a shade flat and with that, intonation is pretty darn good.
I appreciate your delima. When I first picked up a 360/12v64 in a music store a few years ago I couldn't believe it. I couldn't get any clean chords. I too have samll hands and skinny fingers and have been playing a long time. I decided then and there that I'll have to forget about buying one of these. I had wanted one since the mid-sixties. Then the more I thought about it, the more of a challenge it became to me and I decided if others could figure it out then I could too. I ended up buying a 360/12CW a year ago last spring. I've not changed the the bridge nor have I had the nut changed. I've found that with practice I can play it. When I first got it someone on here suggested playing it exclusively for a time and that was a good suggestion. I had the most trouble with some of the simple chords down in the 1st postion, like C, Am etc. I play a those chords a lot of time in other positions and that works out well. Also adds to the Ricky jangly sound. I'm happy I bought the guitar and would do it again in a minute. I find I need to keep somewhat in practice on it. If I play one of my 6-strings for a week and then get out the 360/12 to jam with some friends I always feel rusty on it. So I make an effort to not go for a long period without playing it. Good luck with your decision but I encourage you to give the 360/12 a try if that is the one that you really want. If it doesn't work for you then at a later time you can always try Mark's mods. BTW, the original 6 saddle bridge has worked pretty well for me. I have to tune the low E root string just a shade flat and with that, intonation is pretty darn good.
Steve: I is quite surprising what one can adapt to. I found the Rickenbacker 12 string to be a bit difficult at first but your precision will improve quite quickly. In fact, when I play other 12 strings now I find that they seem larger that I really want. You and get more room from making a modification to the nut. I opted for this modification as it was cheaper than a 660/12.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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"I played (or tried to) a 360/12 over the weekend and I found it nearly unplayable due to the string closeness. I mean I could barely get a clean chord out of the thing. I have small hands and have been playing for well over 25 years, so it isn't like it is the first time I ever touched a guitar. "
I had my 360/12 Modified here in Australia based on Marks Formula for the same reasons as printed above.
The mod made the guitar an absolute pleasure to play..........Go For it
I had my 360/12 Modified here in Australia based on Marks Formula for the same reasons as printed above.
The mod made the guitar an absolute pleasure to play..........Go For it
I am completely happy with the mod and i t apppears that there is still room for more spacing . There appears to be a little more room on the nut and maybe...just maybe...... the pairs could go a fraction closer . If it is possible,it may help those with larger fingers.
what do you think Mark?
BTW speaking of narrow necks ...... I played a Epiphone acoustic here in UK with such a narrow neck . I think it would have maxed out at 1.5 inches across the finger board but I think maybe it was even less
John
what do you think Mark?
BTW speaking of narrow necks ...... I played a Epiphone acoustic here in UK with such a narrow neck . I think it would have maxed out at 1.5 inches across the finger board but I think maybe it was even less
John