Finally Made the 12 String Choice

uzumaki · Post by **uzumaki** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:46 pm

Well...I finally took the plunge and a new Rickenbacker 12 string will arrive next week.

I've had a Jetglo 620/6 for almost 2 years and it has simply become my favorite guitar. I've long wanted a 12 String Ric and have pounded my head over which one I should choose.

First I thought a 620/12 - I like the extra brightness, sustain and smaller bodies of the 600 Series. But after hearing a hi-gain vs toasters on a 620/12 comparison that somebody posted, it was clear to me that I wanted the toasters. Plus, I wasn't crazy about the 6 saddle bridge or "R" tailpiece (a little difficult to restring). When I added up all the upgrades that I wanted, the 620/12 value started to lose it's price advantage.

I've also had my eye on the 350/12V63 - Although semi-hollow, I love the classic look, smaller body, 21 fret neck and the triple toasters. A stunning guitar IMO. But 350/12V63's are really hard to find and near the top in terms of price.

So....I finally settled on a 660/12 Midnight Blue from Wildwood Guitars in Colorado (They were AWESOME to deal with). For me, the 660/12 has all the best Rickenbacker attributes. Solidbody brightness and sustain, toasters, 12 saddle bridge, wide neck, 21 frets, and trapeze tailpiece. And for visual appeal, I don't think anything gets better than the gold pickguard and checkered binding! If I had upgraded the 620/12 with toasters and 12-saddle bridge, the price difference wasn't that significant.

I wasn't sure about the Midnight Blue as I've never seen one in person. But being that my favorite color is Jetglo, I don't think I will be disappointed!

winston · Post by **winston** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:52 pm

Congrats Chris,

Midnight Blue by all accounts is a great color.

Enjoy.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:57 pm

Congrats!

The folks at Wildwood are great guys; I've also dealt with them and they are painless and professional.

By all means post pics when you get it!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:06 pm

Great choice Chris. The 660/12's are wonderful players and lookers. It'll sound real bright and jangly too!

Generally i'm not fan of Mid Blue - but it happens to look really nice on the 660's!

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:34 pm

Rock on. Hope you dig that wide neck! Nice guitar. I've had two and they were AWESOME!!!

uzumaki · Post by **uzumaki** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:46 pm

Yeah, I hope I dig the wide neck too! But I haven't read many negative reports of the wide neck on the 660 12 string models. So, I'm pretty confident that I'll take to it.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:17 pm

Congrats, Chris! Very nice indeed.......

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:39 am

Enjoy that 12!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:25 am

Congrats, Chris, and be sure to post some pics when you get it!

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:01 am

Congratulations!!

Wildwood is excellent, as you mentioned. Some of the nicest people in the business! Definitely worth a visit if anyone ever makes it to Boulder.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:32 pm

Congrats!

epitreture · Post by **epitreture** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:47 pm

You are about to fall in love.

uzumaki · Post by **uzumaki** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:05 am

HAHA ...I think I'm in love already....and it won't arrive for 2 more days!

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:56 am

Mid-blues I've seen at NAMM were jaw-droppingly pretty. I'm sorry to say that I have several Ricks but not one in this color.