12 String Ricks

marctrain57 · Post by **marctrain57** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:15 am

I am thinking a buying a 12 string Rick. My current only Rick is a 340. Are there any tonal differences between a 381v69(really pretty), 360, 330, 660 or 620. What about the difficulty or ease of playing a narrower neck with 12 strings. Also I have heard some models have a 6 string bridge which hurts intonation on a 12. Any suggestions. Love the Beatles/Byrds tone from the 60's.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:50 am

Welcome to the Pandora's box that is the recurring discussion of "which Rick 12-string should I get?"

There are tonal differences, no question.

A narrow neck is easy, a narrow neck is hard. A narrow neck is impossible to play.

The 6 string bridge is impossible to intonate. The 6 string bridge can be acceptably intonated providing the proper strings are used. It sounds great that way. It sounds awful that way.

(Side note: the Beatles and Byrds used Rick 12s with 6 string bridges to make all that great music.)

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:43 am

I think what he's saying is, it's all personal preference! Go out an try one for yourself.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:56 am

Yes, YMMV.

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:53 am

I bought a 360-12 FG (August 2005 manufacture date) five weeks ago.

Love it...can't stop playing it. Don't find a problem with the narrow neck, but as Nick says, it's all personal preference.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:21 am

I've played a lot of them over the years but have never bought one. I'm on the waiting list for a 330/12 blueburst, and I'm getting that because I like the color a lot, but also because I like the shape of the 330. The 360 has more rounded horns. The V series had the pointy horns with binding and shark inlays, but they aren't made anymore. The 381's are PRETTY, but cost a lto more than the others. The 600 series are solid bodies. Best to play them all and figure out which you like better.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:35 am

They are all great if you have needle fingers. I haven't so I play a Gibson 12 string, not through choice but simply because I can't fit my fingers on a Ric. 12 string neck! You MUST try before you buy!

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:35 am

ONce I got used to my 360 neck all other "regular neck" guitars felt too wide.... and the wide-nec guitars feel just silly.

bosco64 · Post by **bosco64** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:03 pm

Greg, If you are still waiting for a 330/12 BBR, here's one ready to go: http://www.classicaxe.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=inventory.showItemDetails&itemID=1351

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:26 pm

Ron I am still waiting, and thanks for the link, but I got a very good price from North Coast Music, and I like dealing with Gary, so I'll wait for it to come in. I'm saiving up the money too, so a little time won't hurt!