Top of the Line 12 String Rickenbacker

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:05 am

Which Rickenbacker 12 string electric model is considered to be the top of the line?

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:23 am

The 381/12 I believe. It has the most elaborate body carving/sculpting & binding of the current models.

bluesyric · Post by **bluesyric** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:25 am

The cool thing is, the quality is consistently excellent from the most inexpensive 330 all the way up to the pricier models like the 381. So really, they're all "top of the line".

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:29 am

They really are.... I've never played a Ric I didn't like, as long as they are set up right.

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:30 am

Thanks, guys. I agree about the consistent quality throughout, but when you factor in the elaborate carving, binding, etc. I guess the 381v69/12 really is the top model.

The question arose when I was reading a book on 12 string guitars and it showed a picture of a 381/12, but the caption read "360/12WB Rickenbacker's Top of the Line 12 String."

krick · Post by **krick** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:13 am

I agree. Here is one from 1987.

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:54 am

Beautiful. The one I have ordered is MB.

epitreture · Post by **epitreture** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:59 am

I agree that the 381/12 is the top of the line but the 660/12 is the easiest to play because of the wider neck. The vintage pickups will also give you that classic Rick sound. I'd post a couple of pictures but I don't know how to shrink them.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:30 am

The problem with the picture above is that anyone holding this guitar will look very unattractive, in comparison. I don't want a guitar so beautiful that it makes me feel ugly.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:56 am

Here's mine Brian:

For me, the 660 is the best 12 string they make. It's got all the deluxe features you could want plus the wide neck.

epitreture · Post by **epitreture** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:15 pm

Wow John! That's a beauty. Blue boy with the gold pickguards is a great combination! Mine is a left handed Montezuma Brown. I put a white TRC and white pearloid pickguards on it. Those oven knobs look cool!

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:19 pm

The problem with the picture above is that anyone holding this guitar will look very unattractive, in comparison.

Or - another possible variant - anybody can look attractive with this guitar in their hands...

Definitely a lovely color (my favorite after GreenGlo...

)

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:36 pm

Wow John! That's a beauty. Blue boy with the gold pickguards is a great combination! Mine is a left handed Montezuma Brown. I put a white TRC and white pearloid pickguards on it. Those oven knobs look cool!

Thanks a lot Brian! I never thought a 12 string could possibly be my favorite guitar, but it really is. These 660's are incredible.

You can email me a picture or two of your 660/12 and i'd be happy to resize and post them for you.

jbiscuti AT mac DOT com

epitreture · Post by **epitreture** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:53 pm

Thanks John, there on the way!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 3:46 pm

Brian's 660/12 LH MB: