Contemplating a 12 string...

[egosheep]

I'm now saving to eventually get a Rick 12, and I'm not quite sure what I want to get. I do know that I want a 330 shape, toasters, and klusons. I'm just conflicted about what the goal should be.

If I buy a stock 330/12, to add klusons and toasters would be around 500 at least, including labor. But they are pretty easy to find, comparitively. And it would be the cheapest option initially, as I could complete the modifications over time.

A 360/12v64 has klusons and toasters stock, but if I save enough to buy one, part of me would be kicking myself for not getting a c63, which is a total dream guitar. I could get in line for a c63, but the idea of that long of a wait is a new one for me. Granted, it's going to take a while to save, but not that long. How does the average price of a used 360/12v64 compare to the discounted retail of a c63?

So, any thoughts as to what you would do in this situation?

[whojamfan]

Get the dream guitar, any other will never be the same in your mind. You can dress up a 330 all day long, but it's just a 330 with different goods. Nothing at all wrong with that, in fact my 330 is not stock, but it will never be what it is not. Save up and get exactly what you want, you will never regret it, and you will have the guitar of your dreams.

[paologregorio]

Get the dream guitar, any other will never be the same in your mind. You can dress up a 330 all day long, but it's just a 330 with different goods. Nothing at all wrong with that, in fact my 330 is not stock, but it will never be what it is not. Save up and get exactly what you want, you will never regret it, and you will have the guitar of your dreams.

+1. I'd like a 360/12C63 in Jetglo; it only happens on guitars where the grain doesn't look nice with the FG finish, which will probably happen even more infrequently than in the past, since RIC switched wood suppliers last year.

[Danotron]

Agreed.

Buy whichever one you want most, because if you don't, you may like what you get but you'll still want the other.

[zrob]

Wow, it's four guys in a row with the same thinking. Yeah, get the one you want and let the more "sensible" alternatives go. As for the extra cost, I always look at the price difference and not the price-tag. Then I ask if the item I'd rather have is worth the difference. Adopting this philosophy long ago has helped avoid many sorrowful decisions, and after a while I've never noticed a difference in the bank account.

[Scastles]

Yeah, have to go with everyone else on this one. Go with what you want. Not that you would be even remotely disappointed with any of the other choices however. The V '64's are wonderful. I own one. But if the '63 is what you desire most, that is what you should get.

[8mileshigher]

There was no option on the poll for "all of the above"


Seriously, go with what our knowledgeable friends are suggesitng --- -to get the model/features you really want, as you will never be satisfied with the alternative. Although the long, long wait for the model you want can cause high anxiety and lead to "Group Therapy" .

[egosheep]

Get the dream guitar, any other will never be the same in your mind. You can dress up a 330 all day long, but it's just a 330 with different goods. Nothing at all wrong with that, in fact my 330 is not stock, but it will never be what it is not. Save up and get exactly what you want, you will never regret it, and you will have the guitar of your dreams.

+1. I'd like a 360/12C63 in Jetglo; it only happens on guitars where the grain doesn't look nice with the FG finish, which will probably happen even more infrequently than in the past, since RIC switched wood suppliers last year.

Can it be ordered in Jetglo?

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I think I will be happiest if I save and pursue the c63.

What is the average retail price for them?

[paologregorio]

Get the dream guitar, any other will never be the same in your mind. You can dress up a 330 all day long, but it's just a 330 with different goods. Nothing at all wrong with that, in fact my 330 is not stock, but it will never be what it is not. Save up and get exactly what you want, you will never regret it, and you will have the guitar of your dreams.

+1. I'd like a 360/12C63 in Jetglo; it only happens on guitars where the grain doesn't look nice with the FG finish, which will probably happen even more infrequently than in the past, since RIC switched wood suppliers last year.

Can it be ordered in Jetglo?

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I think I will be happiest if I save and pursue the c63.

What is the average retail price for them?

The C63 can only be ordered in FG. JG finished 360/12 C63s (damn, what a mouthful!) have been produced, but the only time examples of the model are finished in Jetglo is when the grain pattern on a particular example looks unattractive in a FG finish-at least that's how it was explained to me, if memory serves me correctly. I often wonder why GH didn't have his refinished in JG, or request one in JG, since George and John seemed to have a penchant for black finished guitars in the early days. I think JG would be an even more propular finish if he had.

[JakeK]

Get a C63 when one is available, it's as dead on as you'll ever get to Harrison's original. It will nail the 12-string sound of the 60's better with it's thin top and cross braced body.

[jimk]

I think I will be happiest if I save and pursue the c63.

My words, exactly.

JimK

[stringsncords]

Coincidentally, perhaps even amazingly, 360/12C63's are shipping to dealers AS YOU READ THIS after a 3+ year wait - the chances may be good to find one; check the shipping list and START CALLING! They won't last long....!

Bob

[wmthor]

Although it has the newer shape, I'd include the 360/12 Carl Wilson in your search.

[xpitt]

Tom, follow your dream....I voted for the last option in your poll. I happily own a 360/12V64 in JG and it is my favourite RIC still. The option to mod a 330 however is going on in my head but it's going to be a bigger thing - a semihollow 12 string with a wide neck and I want to take a 330 in MG to realize it..whenever ..maybe I 'm getting it done when I'm 64....unless it's going to be RIC's next new model

[jdogric12]

I have to be honest, I don't like any of the options. I have a lot more questions, too.

Why specifically do you want Klusons? What Ricks have you owned? Is the dual mono output important to you? Is binding important to you?

Consider this: Get a used v64 now, place an order for the c63. When the c63 arrives you can sell or trade in the v64. I can't imagine Rick values going too much lower than they are now, so you might even make a few dollars on it. You'd want to place the order with a dealer that allows return of your deposit, just in case it arrives really quickly and/or you really like the v64 and/or you don't have the rest of the money saved.

If you are chasing certain features for cosmetic/aesthetic reasons, you are much more likely to be disappointed than you would be if you were looking for functional preferences. I think the modern tuners are far superior to any Kluson derivatives I've had. Toasters are cool, so I have no arguments there. If you don't care about dual mono outs (it's not even stereo!) or binding, I would recommend a 330/12 with toasters, which is a reversible mod. If you like thin necks, go late 80's. If you don't mind the current chunkier necks, there you go. I hope this was constructive and helpful. All the best with your search.

Oh, and v64's are in the $2K neighborhood lately, and c63's are closer to 3K. Some people have been waiting upwards of 3 years for c63's, too.