Which one is the Rick 12?

[sloop_john_b]

Okay, here's a fun little quiz to see how sharp your ears are. I recorded three snippets, all with exactly the same amp, EQ, and compression settings.

One is the re-necked '66 360/12 (scatterwound 7.4k RI bridge pickup), one is a '66 Fender XII (stock, bridge pickup), and one is a Line 6 Variax ("bridge pickup")!

Which one do you think is the Rick 12?



Clip no. 1

Clip no. 2

Clip no. 3

[jps]

With my glasses off I think it is #2, but with my glasses on..........

[johnallg]

2 and 3 sound pretty close, but I lean to #2 with Jeff. I guess it is the smoothness of the jangle.

[manta]

It's #3. Got that RIC Twang.

Manta

[melibreits]

I'm guessing it's #2. That one sounds the most like my Ric 12-strings. There's a certain clarity in the octaves that I don't hear in the other two clips.

[deaconblues]

I'm gonna guess:

1- Variax
2 - Fender
3 - Ric

[wim]

I'm thinking
1 Variax
2 Rick
3 Fender

2 sounds most like toasters to me.

[gretsch929]

Knowing the rainbow of tones a Ric can produce, I betcha the all clips are Rics.

[manta]

WHAT?!! A trick question!!

Manta

[admin]

John: This is an excellent post and your efforts in raising questions about Rickenbacker tonality are to be applauded. Further, your playing is stellar and this exercise has been a joy. Finally, while I have no idea which one is the Rickenbacker your clip #3 sounds most like my 360/12 so I will go with it. While my ears are in the minority I eagerly await the solution.

[1a12]

1 fender
2 Rick
3 Vari

???

[Clint]

This kind of humbles us doesn't it? While we all say nothing beats a Ric 12, in the hands of a good player, it still comes down to a guessing game. I'm really impressed by the Variax, whichever one it turns out to be. I can't here any obvious digital blips or bleeps to give it away.

My guess:

1. Variax.
2. Rickenbacker.
3. Fender.

[berth]

1 fender
2 variax
3 Rick

I am not really a guitarist and have not played any of these instruments ever I have to admit.

[xpitt]

I'm with Tim : # 3

[winston]

#3 sounds most like my JG 360/12 WB. Can I have it back now John?