One of the usual suspect Rick dealers. I bought one new back in 99, played it for a couple years and got tired of it and sold it. I have a new appreciation for both short scales and 12 strings, so when this came up, I couldn't say no.
The amp is really cool though. My first tube amp. Very raunchy sounding in a good way.
The Gretsch/Valco amps are indeed fine. Because Gretsch catered mostly to country players back then, you didn't see the big cabinets and higher outputs like Fender and Marshall. Their stuff was more portable (for quick getaways from chicken-wire bars?) and had a nice style to them. That Tolex is sooo cool, and tailored for small cabinets. It would look fussy and ridiculous on a huge cab.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
I would love to hear some of todays mega bands play through some equipment like this. I am weary of huge PA systems covering any real semblance of a groups "sound". If I saw this rig sitting on a stage, I would stop pull up a seat, order a drink & pretzels, and prepare to be entertained.
Hey, I just got an idea for a new reality show. I'm thinking Simon would eviscerate half the the "bands" out there. Just you and your ability in the air.
The Beatles at Shea Stadium with those small Vox amps, that took some nads.
"The Beatles at Shea Stadium with those small Vox amps, that took some nads."
Weren't they also piped through the Shea cylindrical PA horns that were only designed for the nasal verbal barking of the stadium announcer to describe another Mets error? Or am I thinking of another stadium (where, when they weren't hosting fans screaming over the sound of bands, real life sports teams would play a game that looked a lot like real baseball- I can say that, I grew up [okay, I didn't actually grow up] rooting for the Mets)?
I think it would be great for singers, bands and sound people if bands used less bulky (loud) equipment and could hear each other at more reasonable levels.
I posted on the corporate site also, but figure I may get more expertise over here: what kind of strings should be on these guitars that won't do damage to the neck or anything. I have some on but they're too light for my taste and offer no tuning stability. I believe that it's a standard Ric 12 set. I'm looking for something in flats possibly. Any thoughts/suggestions?
Sarcasm just doesn't come through when you're typing...
Mine was set up from the factory with a mix of Medium (.013) and standard strings; when I restrung it, it took two sets to replicate all the diameters.
I wrote the gauges down. I don't have the notes with me here, however.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
The strings on the 325/12V63s was a special set made from the bulk string supply at RIC, I seem to remember a thread a good while back where the gauges were posted here...I'll go a-lookin'....
There was never a replacement set made up for them either, IIRC...
I'm interested in this as well, I asked about the string gauges for the 325/12v63s some time ago but didn't get an answer other than some comments not related to string gauge. I tried searching but couldn't find any earlier posts on the subject.