What do I go for?

vintage_325_guy · Post by **vintage_325_guy** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:47 am

I currently own 1 Ric: a 325 V59 in MG. Love it very much, but I want to dip my toe into the 12-string waters.
Which 12-string is a good one to go for? e.g. what's the difference between a 330 and 360?
Thanks,
Pete.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:54 am

There are also the 620/12 and the 660/12.

Or, if you're in the mood for a search and have the cash and love 325s that much, there are a few 325/12s which were made.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:32 am

The official rickenbacker.com is the best place to compare models. I think you'd like a 360/12. One good Beatle guitar deserves another!

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:47 pm

This one in the for sale section may still be available. Link. Kevin is a great guy to deal with .

squid · Post by **squid** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:12 am

Peter, if you're really going for a vintage feel, I'd recommend the 360/12c63. A few of these have been shipped recently, so there are presumably some guitars available for immediate purchase. They do go quickly, though, despite their high price. I would also recommend the 381/12v69, which has a really rich sound due to it's deeper body dimensions. The 660/12 and 620/12 are a little brighter in tone, so if you want that lovely "jangle", they're a very good bet. The 660 also has the benefit of a wider fretboard, which is a big help to those with large hands. Your six string Ric is the best guide as to whether you need the 660. If you find the string spacing a little tight on your 325, it's best to go for the 660.

Hope this helps.

squid · Post by **squid** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:15 am

Oh, and to reply to your original question, there's no difference between the 330 or 360 in terms of sound, at least not to my ears. The 360 has binding and Ric-o-Sound, so it's a question of aesthetics and whether you'll be playing in stereo. Some people say that the 330/12 neck is more comfortable because it's not bound, but that's not my experience. I find the feel to be so similar as to be indistinguishable.

squid · Post by **squid** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:57 am

Edit. Double post. Sorry.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:43 am

The 330 is slightly louder unplugged, IMHO.

milo · Post by **milo** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:32 am

I'm probably in the minority here because I love the looks of the 330 and 360 twelves, especially double-bound, but I find the 620 body style to be a much more comfortable guitar to play.

I currently have a 450/12 and a 660/12 and really like them. I bought the 450/12 first (after selling a 360/12 and a 360/12V64 through the years) because it was an inexpensive "player" and I didn't use a twelve a whole lot. I was very pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the guitar was to play. I'm referring to the way it feels when on a strap and how it fits my body since the necks on all of the Ricks that I had were pretty similar except for the 660/12.

Because of this I bought the 660/12. This guitar is also real comfortable with the thinner and smaller body but I have issues with the factory nut. The E-strings are spaced too far toward the edge of the fingerboard and are actually on the slanted portion of the frets as they are rolled toward the edge of the fingerboard. The spacing between the octave strings is also too big for my liking and doesn't leave enough room between the pairs of strings. I like the guitar enough that I'm cutting a new nut for it though. The older 660/12s that I played before buying this one didn't have the same spacing.

I never owned a solid body at the same time as a 330/360 so I haven't done a direct comparison of the sounds, but there doesn't seem to be a night and day difference to my ears. I might feel differently if I could A/B them.

vintage_325_guy · Post by **vintage_325_guy** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:07 am

Thank you all for your recommendations. I AM a huge Beatles fan (obviously) and my 325 is a beauty (All My Loving, You Can't Do That, Twist and Shout to name but 3 favourite songs on it)and I'm very interested in the 360/12 Harrison model. Where would be a good place for a UK resident to pick one of these up?

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:12 am

Where would be a good place for a UK resident to pick one of these up?

GULP!, This is probably as close as you will find over here (it's at Ricsrus)...

360WB 12 string, in Fireglo finish, June 1980 model, Deluxe thinline, semi-acoustic hollow maple body, full bound body with white binding, two hi-gain pickups, traditional shaped sound hole, 24 fret Rosewood fingerboard with triangular pearloid fret markers, wired for stereo and mono through a double jack plate, 'R' Tailpiece, white/chrome hardware, unbelievable condition, unplayed and unmarked, includes original black tolex RIC case, priced at £1395.
E-mail for details quoting 360WB-12FG

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:21 am

RicsRUS also have a 360/12V64 - George Harrison model. Talk to them. Mike's a good guy to deal with.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:57 am

You're right Graham, I never noticed that one!

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:35 am

Lot's of things pass you by Pete

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:07 pm

Here's a VERY cool 12 on eBay UK...

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-360-12-1973-ALL-ORIGINAL_W0QQitemZ220033475100QQihZ012QQcategoryZ41439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem