6 or 12?

mikeller · Post by **mikeller** » Tue Sep 17, 2002 3:02 pm

In 1997 I bought a new 330/12 (after many, many years of wanting a Ric). It is in virtually the same condition as it was the day I received it

I rarely play it - the 12 string doesn't fit well with my what I do. But, I very much like and want to own at least 1 Ric.

I have been considering selling it and buying either a 330/6 or a 620/6.

How does the sound of the 330 vs 620 compare?

Any comments or warnings would be much appreciated

Thanks
Mike

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 7:20 am

Mike: This is a question that has come up on several occasions. It will be important to get a number of opinions on this one. For me, there is little difference between the sound of the 300 and 600 series instruments if they are played through the same amplifier and both guitars have the same pickups. I have experimented with this and sometimes I think that the sustain is somewhat greater on the 600 series in comparison to the 300 series, but I have failed the blindfold test. I is quite easy to identify a Rickenbacker on a recording but always very difficult for me at least, to discern whether it is a solid body or semi-hollow body is being played. Some instruments feedback more easily than others and this may be a consideration for one type of instrument over another. I am most interested to see how others respond to your question.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 3:30 pm

A six string and a 12 string are like .... I have a pickup truck made by Ford ... but I never haul anything but suitcases ... so I have thought about getting a Mustang .

The two guitars are so different.

If this was a case of , 350 VS 360 ...and high gains VS toaster pickups ... then you have something .

If the 12 does not work for you , and you can't hold on to it ...for what ever reason (I own 26 guitars ) then sell it and get the 6 string .

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 9:22 pm

I've always thought that the 12-string is to the 6-string as a harpsicord is to a piano. I have a 660/12 and am also looking for a 6 string Ric. The 12 is great, but some songs work well with it while others just have to have the 'spare' open quality that a Ric-6 has.

I've just seen an ad for a 1997 in Sydney (Oz) previously owned by Marty Wilson-Piper, guitarist with The Church. At just under AU$3,000 it's a pity that my current situation won't stretch that far. But I'm sure that there's one out there with my name on it somewhere!

gaboik · Post by **gaboik** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 3:14 am

Mike, I have both a 360-12V64, and a 620-12.
I personally find that the 620-12 records better.
I added a phase switch to the lead pickup of the 620-12. When you kick in the switch, it gives the guitar the hollow bodied twang sound that the 360 has. The 360 does have a more rounded sound when playing it out of an amp. I also use the 620-12 whenever I record to my 2 inch 24 track. It just cuts through better. However, when I record digitally into my Alesis HD-24, the 360 sounds better. They're both very different animals. the solid body holds chords longer ( sustain ) than the hollow body. I have on occasion, taken 6 of the 12 strings off of my 360-12 for sessions that required a rick 6 string sound. to sum it all up, the 620-12 sounds more like a Gibson 12 than the classic sound of the Rick. The 360-12 sounds more like a combo between an acoustic 12 and the 620-12. I cannot say that one is better than the other, just different.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 9:37 am

Why don't you string up your 12-String Ric with half the strings (6) and play it like that for a while. That is what I do sometimes with my 360/12CW. Restringing is always a pain, so I only switch over when my pyramids begin to die- or like twice a year! It brings a whole new instrument out, and should you like the sound of the 12 better you just need 6 more strings.

tracy · Post by **tracy** » Thu Sep 26, 2002 2:07 pm

In regard to hollow vs. solid, there is more noticible audible difference between the 21 fret and the 24 fret Rickenbackers (skewing the pick-off point)than there is in the body composition, hollow or not. In addition, pickup impedance is a largely overlooked component. Remember, the more turns, the more distributed capacity, the less harmonic content. Before you buy or trade, check out the pickups!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Sep 26, 2002 2:49 pm

I agree for the most part with Tracy .

I want to point out that another company (Gibson) makes three guitars , with necks made of the same materials (at any one particular era) and the wiring harnesses are exactly the same . These are ;the SG Standard, The ES-335 and the Les Paul Standard . The interesting thing is ....they don't sound the same !!!!

Now as to solid Ricks VS semi hollow Ricks , both have a crisp quality due to the maple .

But the 330 and 360 guitars have an airyness to them ... similar to the differences in Les Paul and the ES335 guitars . However not as pronounced.

The solids are more "IN YOUR FACE" no matter the which pickup.

The Pickups , on the other hand ... they flat out do not sound the same .
This is similar to another maker (Fender) . The Strat and Jaguar have pickups that look extremely similar ... but they definately are not the same!

As it is really difficult to find a dealer that stocks the full line of Ricks .... you must have a good ear . Or find a dealer in used guitars that has a variety of Ricks to really compare.

mikek · Post by **mikek** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 7:15 am

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I took all into consideration. I did sell the 12 and purchased a very nice used 330/6 in Mapleglo. It would have been nice to have both but the wallet couldn't handle it.

Benjamin: I considered removing 6 strings etc as per your reply. However, I wrote to Ricenbacker and was strongly advised by a tech NOT to do that, it could ruin the neck.

Thanks again
Mike

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 8:04 am

Miguel: With all that room on the fretboard it sounds like a "fender bender" to me.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 9:01 am

I asked my local guitar salesman, Andy Babiuk, if taking six strings off would be okay and he said that there would be no problem with it. I have had no problem with mine yet, but will talk to my guitar tech to see what he says.

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:14 am

I have two ric six strings and have often thought about purchasing a 12-string. I have tried a bunch of 12s (even a mcguinn, a petty) 360, 330, 660 & 620. I recently got to visit ed roman's in vegas so that helped too.

Effectively, things are a bit cramped on the bound necks, but, not that awful either. Playing a 12 really shows how far you have progressed as a player ... or not. I was floored by the largeness of the sound compared to my 6-strings until I just used the bridge pup.

I don't know if its gearitis or what, but, I still would like to purchase a 12-string. My question to you at the forum is what made you include a 12 ? Is it really just an occassional song guitar, or is it something that you use all the time ? My guitar teacher (yeah, after 6+ years, I still take 'em) says its practically playing a different type of instrument. Is it better to concentrate on the existing guitars to get all that one can out of 'em before adding the umteenth guitar to the collection ?

Thanks for letting me know your thoughts !

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:20 am

360dave660: There are so many classic 12 strings songs with Rickenbacker riffs that you can't afford not to have this playing experience. Life is short. Jangle on with a 12 string while you can. I consider that you will never regret buying a 12 string.

grsnovi · Post by **grsnovi** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 11:53 am

Twenty-eight years ago, I was playing an acoustic twelve in an acoustic duo (sometimes trio with an added electric bass).

I got my 1st electric twelve about two years ago (a 360/12v64) and added a 370/12 this summer.

I'm pondering going for a 381/12v69 (or an equivalent vintage carved top/back) in Jet-glo to go with the Fire-glo and Maple-glo ones already living with me.

corey · Post by **corey** » Tue Oct 29, 2002 3:40 pm

Gary: I am also pondering a JG 381v69 to go with my MG and FG 360's. Some of us Ric folk just have to fill out the traditional "Rick Trifecta" of colours, don't we?

360dave660: Get a Ric 12, you will love it and use it more than you think. I find I'm using my 12 not just more than I thought I would, but more than my Ric 6 (on maybe a 60/40 scale).