12-String Alternatives

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:16 am

Seeing as how I’m never going to master tight string spacing and JH is never going to come out with a wide-neck 360 [;-)] I’m going to have to bite the bullet and come up with an alternative solution.
Besides neck width my only other requirement is (semi) hollow.

Here are the options I have found:

Dean Sarasota
Italia Rimini
Rondo Agile

Any knowledge on any of them? Opinions?
Any other choices out there?

Thanks very much for any input.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:53 am

My son bought a 7 string Agile..Unbelievable quality for $399.00 plus $18.00 shipping..But then again we are supporting the China Syndrome. So much disregard for the environment and people of their own country and the world. So much fraud and corruption. I build custom 12 string electrics to customers specs, but my prices start at $1,200.00 for one similar to 360/12...

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:59 am

Not interested in a 660/12?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:09 am

My first electric guitar (when I took up the guitar again in 2004 after a 36-year hiatus), was an Agile replica of an LP "Fretless Wonder" Deluxe, in black. I think it cost all of $179.00 then. I, too, was amazed by the quality (although the sound was undistinguished), and I, too had pangs of conscience concerning how much of our GNP was going to China to pay down debt and keep the balance of trade horrendously tipped in their favor.

Then I decided to buy handmade quality, discovered Ricks, and sold the Agile. Don't miss it one bit; it's a bellybutton guitar, but still amazing considering price. Massive production facilities + no environmental standards + low labor costs (75 cents/hour for skilled labor in China's Northeastern provinces!)= Agile.

I've heard it said that 10% of China's manufacturing output goes into Walmart stores in the States. I wouldn't know, as I refuse to set foot into one; Costco has much more agreeable employment, financial, and environmental practices, so they get my "biggest box" business.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:17 am

John,
The 660/12 is solid, not hollow.
Doesn't meet requirement No. 2.

Paul,
Sorry "bellybutton guitar?"
I'm afraid that's a new one for me.
It means . . . ?

freshmattyp · Post by **freshmattyp** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:36 am

http://www.phantomguitars.com/ - Nice copies of the Vox Phantom and Teardrop guitars.

http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/ - They offer a couple of semi-hollow 12's as well.

I think if it was me, I'd troll around e-bay and craigslist until I found a reissue Danelctro 12. Supernice guitars for the money.

lennon211 · Post by **lennon211** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:17 am

If you can track it down, Epiphone was offering a 12 string Riviera. It's what the Beach Boys, among others used in the late 60's and the rest of their career, in addition to the Rics.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:40 am

Bellybutton=

Everybody's got one.

teb · Post by **teb** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:04 pm

I don't. But I do have a Rickenbacker twelve and thanks to a full-width refret I can play it.....so I guess I don't need a belly button. The twelve-string version of the Gretsch Country Classic looks pretty nice.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:31 pm

Waterstone makes one that has a neck that's a bit wider:
http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/guit_carnaby12.shtml
Taylor makes a 12 string T5:
http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Electric/T5C2-12/

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:19 pm

The Epi Riviera is a really nice 12, but it's neck is actually a tad Narrower at the nut than a std. Rick 360-12 !! I owned a couple mid 60s Epi 12s some years back; wish I'd kept them...as well a couple Gibson 335-12s...oh well..

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:29 pm

Don, I heard the necks on the new reissue Epiphone 12's are a little wider. I had a Gibson 12 string in 1968 that was pretty narrow also, I liked the way it sounded and played. I sold it a year later to a friend who liked it more than I. Mine was the dark yellow to brown sunburst. I didn't get my next 12 string until I worked at the factory in 1974 when I built my own 360/12WBBS in Autumglo. That was stolen in the late 70's. Still waiting for it's return....

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:47 am

Dale; at least according to the Epi website,they are not making thr Riviera 12 now.You may have better info?? My idea for one of these to "tweak" it would be ; add a pair of Firebird PUs [Duncan Antiquities?] and put a 12 hole stop tailpiece on it, and flatwounds.

fatcat · Post by **fatcat** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:41 pm

I found a sleeper at GC, in the Mitchell 12 string acoustic.Extremely well finished and a very playable neck.I'm satisfied enough that I have given up the elusive Ric acoustic quest.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:11 pm

I wasn't aware that we were discussing 12-string acoustics in this thread, Don, but since the focus has shifted, allow me to say:

"You'll never know what you missed."

That Mitchell is a $200.00 guitar.