6 string... or 12 string RIC

[Ric_MEL]

Hi,

Have only recently begun circling the wagons... considering a RIC

I went with a friend ( who is very soon going to buy a 12 string.) to the local retailer while he played a few 12 string models.

I've gotten bitten by the RIC bug....

12 strings have of course the definitive quintessential RIC sound... that 12 string jangley chime...

.. it seems - for ME - there will be much more opportunity to play a standard 6 string guitar in lots of songs ( when we get together and jam/garage band style ). If money were no object of course... the simple answer would be to have one of each!

Leads me to just ask the question? What is ( or do you think ) - the ratio is of ownership : RIC... 12 strings... compared to 6 strings.

and... why?

[steverok]

Yeah but the songs that shine on the Ric-12 will outshine all else. It's not a matter of ratio or reason. In my opinion, every guitar player should have one at the local bar gig, so I would get to hear that sound more often !

[libratune]

Although perhaps a statistically imperfect sample, a quick check of the Register indicates the following instruments:

2061 12-strings

4121 6-strings

3366 4-strings (3365 basses and one tenor guitar)

There are ways to slice and dice these numbers -- the 6 strings include lap steels and other steel guitars (and doubleneck console steels could have 12 strings) but this survey provides enough information to answer your question: the ratio of 6ers to 12ers is roughly (or exactly) 2 to 1.

So the smart thing to do is to get the rarer 12-string model.

[Ric_MEL]

Wow.. the rough number review of : 2 to 1 six string surprises me!

Noting the comment: " Yeah but the songs that shine on the Ric-12 will outshine all else. " suggests that "the" sound that a Ric does best is: a 12 string chime. when I went with my pal to play some RICs .. he played a 330/6.. then a 330/12. and we both said: ( when he played the 12 string ) -- Aaaahh.. That's the RIC sound.. At the time I said to him.. don't buy a 6 string.. that's not what you buy a RIC for...

but then: The RIC I am jonesing for .. is a 620/6. Kind of because it's the most affordable... I am a Tele fan.. like ( or am familiar with ) - solid bodies.. and the 620 looks so cool.

At RIC prices... I can NOT afford specialized guitar in my collection .. ie. a 12 string for ' those times ' when that is just the right sound for the song.

I hope that I like the way a 620/6 feels and sounds and is versatile enough to be used a lot..

2 to 1 ratio says to me: lots of people out there are getting the capability they want from 6 string models!

I'm not looking to have a collector guitar.. or rare guitar.. or particularly expensive guitar -- but a guitar that I can play a lot.

[libratune]

You can't go wrong with a 620/6. There are many fans of that model here. And it is the most affordable RIC guitar currently being produced. Further, if you troll around the auction sites, there are some incredible deals on 620s.

HOWEVER, you definitely should go to a music store and play one first to make sure it has the tone and feel you are looking for.

Good luck!

[wmthor]

... the simple answer would be to have one of each! ...

Even better yet, have two of each!

[collin]

Remember......if you can only have one Ric, you can always convert a 12-string to a 6-string (removing six of them), but it ain't so easy the other way around.

....but if you get a 12 string, you'll likely never do that because they sound so good.

[Ric_MEL]

..if you can only have one Ric, you can always convert a 12-string to a 6-string (removing six of them)


you know... while you were being facetious... that is an interesting option.... not totally crazy.

The guitars are basically the same: neck widths, pickups.. I think the stock saddle config is just 6 saddles ( where they have you put two strings across each saddle ) .. so < correct me where I'm wrong > .... simply remove the "extra" strings.. and you've got a 6 string.

would certainly present the option to eat your cake and have it too.. and my guess is: once strung with all 12 strings.. that's probably the way it would stay.. but it COULD be a six string anytime..

I assume Dave's is a great place to buy a RIC.. as seems they have a great reputation for handling premium guitars.
They have 620/12's .. in stock.. while 620/6's have been on order for 14 months... and are quoted as still: 10 months out...

hmmm....

[collin]

..if you can only have one Ric, you can always convert a 12-string to a 6-string (removing six of them)


you know... while you were being facetious... that is an interesting option.... not totally crazy.

Not being facetious one bit.

They are indeed the same guitar. While other guitar companies widen their necks for 12 string models, Rickenbackers are the same. You can remove six strings and there is absolutely no change.

Seems like the best of both worlds if you can truly own only one.

[paologregorio]

"6 string... or 12 string RIC"

Yes.

[jimk]

Remember......if you can only have one Ric, you can always convert a 12-string to a 6-string (removing six of them), but it ain't so easy the other way around.

....but if you get a 12 string, you'll likely never do that because they sound so good.

Consider too, that a 12 string guitar is more versatile than you think. Think of a 12 string rather as a guitar with an expanded sonic palette. You can play anything, any kind of music on it. By adding a delay pedal, and turning up the reverb on your amp, you can get some great rockabilly twang or surf sounds, for example. I like playing Chuck Berry's "Memphis Tennessee" on my 12. Or even James Burton's break to "Hello Mary Lou." And while we're at it, "Walk, Don't Run" really sounds great on a 12 string.

I haven't tried using an overdrive pedal, but I certainly wouldn't dismiss that idea out of hand, either. So I don't think the choice is an either/or matter; it's a both/and. So get one of each!

JimK

[Ric_MEL]

I definitely can't drop $3k... into RICs.. to have two.. 6 string AND 12 string.. at least .. not in the foreseeable future..

It's a stretch for me to spend $1,300 - $1600 .. but I'm considering it.

I just emailed Dave's.. .and they said.. it can be done..not common ( removing 6 strings ) .. they noted: the unused tuners might rattle..

Would the truss rod have to readjusted ? because of different tension on the neck.. when changing back and forth? or any other set up issues ?

No doubt: a 12 string is a great sound.. ..but so is a 6 string... both good.. both different..


I like the idea quite honestly.. seems like the best of both worlds.. on a budget!

[stringsncords]

If you can only have one, then get a 6-string.

I play solo, and I have both a 6 and a 12; I use the 6-string for 2 sets, and the 12-string for 1 set.

As wonderful as the 12-string sound is, it's a bit more limiting as far as material to play. And, if you're playing with a friend who is playing a 12-string, then the 6-string would seem to be a better choice.

Good Luck - let us know what you get!

Bob

[Ric_MEL]

Thanks Bob..

My friend getting a 12 string.., who I'll either be playing WITH .. or I can use his guitar.. does help mitigate my decision.

Truly.. the next thing I have to do.. is play them. both. back and forth.. and just decide what sound I'm after, and need.

WKYP!

Mark

[paologregorio]

12 strings are more versatile than one might think. One can use them with overdrive, and easily do bends with them with the right low tension strings. Some folks wouldn't consider doing bends on a 12, but I think it sounds cool, and Tim Finn from Split Enz/Crowded House had employed 12 string bends with great effect on a few pop numbers.

Kenny Howes played Cheap Trick's "Surrender" using his Walnut 360/12 last week wth his band mates at his birthday party. It rocked!

The following videos is of song that use both 12 string and six string Ricks with overdrive. The solo is with a Rick 381/12 played directly into the board using Rick-O-Sound in the first video.

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Yes, I know the guitar in the video is a Gretsch Silver Jet. The dominant guitars on the recording are Ricks though, along with an SG playing some clean funky background chords.

The following song uses the same two Ricks, and the SG:
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Yeah, I know, I snuck another shot of my Silver Jet in the middle of the vieo; what can say, it's probably my favvorite non-Rick guitar, and a faithful six sting companion for the past eleven years or so.

The point is, whether you buy a six or twelve string Rick, you'll have a versatile guitar capable of a lot more than one might usually think possible with a Rickenbacker.