Ric 12s

mr_gravy · Post by **mr_gravy** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:32 am

I'm in the process of getting a Ric 12 which will be used to gig with. I have a '90 330-6 and like that particular style. What I'd like to know is what is the difference between the 330 & 360 other than cosmetics. I have no use for the Ric-O-Sound so for me that wouldn't be a factor. If there is little sound/tone difference I would consider the 330 since it would be cheaper.
Now there is also the 600 line and am wondering if these will give a brighter sound. I'm looking for a full-deep sound and figure I can get that with the semi-hollow models as opposed to the solid-body, but I may be mistaken.
Would most appreciate, guidance, comments, suggestions. Thanks

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:27 pm

The 660/12 has, of course, less of a woody tone (although I think that tone resides about 90% with the pickups). But in exchange you're getting better sustain and the wider neck, which makes a big difference in playability to some folks.

My first Rick 12 was a 660/12, but when I played the 330/12 and 360/12 at NAMM this year, I found that neck width was not an issue for me. I have very slender fingers. Now I have a couple of other Rick 12s and find that switching back and forth is not the problem I thought it would be, initially.

If neck width is not an issue with you, either, then the 330/12 is your guitar of choice. Or, you could look for a 340/12 for a bit more variety in the sound.

ben_hall · Post by **ben_hall** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:11 pm

There is not much of a difference in sound between a 330 and a 360.

You might also consider a 620/12 if you like the standard pups and prefer the 360 neck.

eggman · Post by **eggman** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:53 pm

Howdy,

John, I prefer the 620/12 to the 330/12. I've owned both. The 620/12 had a little more natural treble and sustain. It's impossible to make a bad choice among Rickenbacker's 12's!

Eggman

steve_lee · Post by **steve_lee** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:07 am

Hey there,

To my ears, if you like the deeper tone go fora 330 or 360 and even then they can differ especially between the years made. 600 series are tight and punchy. I prefer a delicate resonant sound which my 66 330-12 gives. I have a couple 68 366-12s which sound much tighter and brighter but not as much as solidbodies. The 330 build style gives a different sound to the 360. Hope this helps. Steve

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:58 am

IMO your 366-12s sound tighter and brighter because of all that thick acrylic screwed to the top and the extra reinforcement block screwed to the top's underside. This changes the interior's patterns of standing waves and heavily dampens whatever little resonance the top has.

mr_gravy · Post by **mr_gravy** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:47 am

Appreciate the good feedback here. Have a line on a 620-12, but the guy isn't returning my e-mails. Really would like to play before I pay, but it's good to get all of this info as well.
I think I may lean more toward the 620/660 since the smaller body would work better for me. I agree, you really can't go wrong with a Ric. I've played the Dano and a few others and while they were very nice there was something missing and for the life of me I just couldn't put my finger on it, except that the Ric had THAT sound and the others didn't.
If anyone knows of a 620/660 being offered drop me a quick line. Thanks.

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:04 pm

I have a 360/12 and now a 660/12. I am starting to like the width of the 660/12 fretboard, and that is a big factor (live it seems like a bigger deal to me.) I think that having a 650C spoiled me a little this past year. There isn't a huge difference in tone between the Rick 12s- but there is some (and they both sound great to me.)

pickoftherricks.com has a 620/12 in Blueburst (great color)
wildwoodguitars.com has a 660/12 in Blue Boy (another great color) They also have a 360/12 in the same color.

I have bought Ricks from both of them and they were very good to buy from.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:50 am

I play a 360/12 and I've used it live very frequently as my main instrument, it's a very robust guitar, not delicate at all (as Paul W's headstock repair would attest too).

I've had a bunch of mods done and undone. The only one I found handy for my decidedly non slender fingers was to have a nut made with wider string spacing. That helped me quite a bit. I had the 12 saddle bridge installed as well, the 660/12 comes with one I think, in any event, not every 12 string needs one neccesarily...

I find the 360 body style more comfy than the 330 or 660 as well. I like the looks of the 660 quite a bit though!

You also have the pickup issue. I've tried toasters on both my 360/12 and 360 but I find I prefer the hi-gains on the 24 fret neck guitars. I had a '66 360 (21 fret neck obviously) and that had a sweeter tone in some ways but I think since the p/ups are in a different place that had something to do with it.

doubleneck · Post by **doubleneck** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:27 am

John G,
The thing that's missing with the Dano is the MADE IN THE USA label. I hope that Rickenbacker NEVER uses the sweat shop mentality of Guitar making for profit.

mr_gravy · Post by **mr_gravy** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:55 am

Well, it looks like I'm going to take the plunge on a 2004 Mapleglo 620-12 with Vintage pickups, Silver vintage case, and the original pickups thrown in. I like the small body on the 620. I have a 330 and really like it a lot, but didn't want that same body/size with the 12. Will probably get it within the week.

milo · Post by **milo** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:01 am

I think you'll really like that guitar. I've had two 360s (old style and new) and even though I really liked them I like my 450/12 and 660/12 better. I bought the 660/12 intending to sell my old mid-70s 450 version but now I'm not sure which one I like better.

mr_gravy · Post by **mr_gravy** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:32 am

Well, I ordered it, should be here by Friday. Here's a pic. Sorry it's so fuzzy, but I had to reduce it so much to post it that it lost a lot of clarity.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:37 am

Put a vintage trapeze on there ... you'll be happy you did.

mr_gravy · Post by **mr_gravy** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:51 am

Yeah, it was the first thing that came to mind. Funny, I've never modded any of my guitars. Always used them stock, or however they came if bought used. But for some reason I thought this guitar deserves the trapeze.
Are they usually sold in two pieces?