Advice needed before I purchase used Rickenbacker 12 string

[johneek]

I personally wouldn't touch the 660/12 FG unless you're in love with the color. Before considering the MG, I'd ask for photos of the actual guitar, especially if having figured maple is important to you. The link in your post is a picture from the RIC website and you should not assume the new one they have in stock looks anything like it. The 660s that have come out of the factory the last 12-18 months haven't had as much figuring or character as in previous years.

I personally like the v64 for all the reasons others have stated. Take a look at the string spacing between pairs on that guitar and compare it to the FG 660, it's like night and day.

Good luck, both with your decision, and with sorting out all our opinions....

[steverok]

Ok. But if the seller offer me a new bridge ($125) and a new nut ($9) do you think the guitar will be ok ?
I have done reslotting before but I think I will leave that work to an experienced luthier if I buy the guitar.
Theese guitars is wery hard to get over here. Seller has also agreed to lower the price because of the
need for a new bridge. I will also get 14 days money back if I am not satisfied.

I don't think RIC sells a stock nut for a 660 or 660/12. It has to be custom made for the guitar. Also, even if he you gives you a new bridge, you would still need to slot it. You may be able to locate some individual saddles, and just purchase those, but they will need to be slotted, and probably machined, to some degree. Does your luthier work with metal? Unless your heart is set on the 660/12 FG, I would be wary of this project. However, if you have a luthier that can handle the work, then you may end up with someting more playable than either of your other two options.

[NorwegianWood]

Ok. But if the seller offer me a new bridge ($125) and a new nut ($9) do you think the guitar will be ok ?
I have done reslotting before but I think I will leave that work to an experienced luthier if I buy the guitar.
Theese guitars is wery hard to get over here. Seller has also agreed to lower the price because of the
need for a new bridge. I will also get 14 days money back if I am not satisfied.

I don't think RIC sells a stock nut for a 660 or 660/12. It has to be custom made for the guitar. Also, even if he you gives you a new bridge, you would still need to slot it. You may be able to locate some individual saddles, and just purchase those, but they will need to be slotted, and probably machined, to some degree. Does your luthier work with metal? Unless your heart is set on the 660/12 FG, I would be wary of this project. However, if you have a luthier that can handle the work, then you may end up with someting more playable than either of your other two options.

I dont think the nut looks that bad. It looks like it is as much space on the edges as on the 360/12v64 and that neck is much more narrow than the 660/12. I'm most concerened about the bridge. Good thing is that the bridge can be changed and is available. So I think I will consider the 660/12 FG 2004 if I can get the price reduced by the cost of a new bridge and the luthier work. A new nut will probably be around £10 but a good luthier will probably make a custom one.

So my question is simply if this guitar will be great after a luthier has changed bridge and nut ?
(I really like the FG but will not consider it if this errors is wery hard to fix)

[steverok]

It will be great, although I prefer the hollow-body sound myself.