Test Driving a Tom Petty 12

[kylek350]

A friend of mine is loaning me his Tom Petty 12 string to help me decide between a 660/12 and a 360/12 (gracious friend, eh?). As far as 12s go, I've had my heart set on 360/12c63. After nearly pulling the trigger on a blueburst 660/12, I realized that I need some saddle time between the two to decide.

I have only owned 325s, so have little experience with full-size (and modern) RIC neck profiles. I think the 325c58 neck feels tremendously better in my hand than my former 325v59. After playing the Petty, I'm sensing the same general contour as the v59: thin with shallow shoulders. The c58 neck has a bit more beef in the shoulders.

So, how would you compare the neck profile of a modern 360/12 to a c63 to a 660? Obviously the nut width is much greater on the 660, but I'm curious about the neck shape. If the c63 has a little more chunk and or shoulder, I think my decision is made.

Another thing about the Petty... Compared to my c58, these are clearly the high-output toasters. Is it the same for newer 660s or are they using the same scatter-wound pickups as the C-series?

And for all you 12-stringers, are you generally tuning up to E or are you keeping 'em down in Eb or D? I'm thinking I'd like to be in E but try out a 9-gauge 12-string set. The 10s seem a litte intense on a 12.

[ken_j]

I used TI 0.010" strings tuned to concert pitch on my C63. The thing that is different about a C63 is the 7.25" fretboad radius. This makes it easier to play in my opinion. A new 660 will have the same scatterwound toasters that isn standard in the C63.

[analogpackrat]

I'm sure some of the more expert guys will chime in, but it seems to me that in the past, Rick necks have varied quite a but in shape. Maybe now in the CNC era they are more consistent. I've got two 360-12s in my modest collection. One is a '72 export model (the one I use for an avatar) with a pretty thin and narrow neck much like my '64 375. The other is a '96 WB which has quite a chunky neck on it. I like them both, but it sounds like you would prefer one like my '96. I tune my '96 to concert pitch, but have been paranoid about my '72. It's currently tuned down a half step. Next time I restring it I will be trying a set of TIs and may set it up for concert pitch then.

There's a local shop that is a Rick dealer and I've spent a lot of time there trying out various guitars. Last year they got in a bunch of 330s and 360s--a mix of 6 and 12 stringers. One thing I really noticed was that all of the 330s had chunkier necks. More shoulder, fatter front-to-back. Not huge like some old Teles are, but definitely a noticeable difference. I've played one Petty Sig 12 and didn't care for the wide neck.

Are you looking to buy new or used? If you have a strong preference for particular neck shapes I hope you'll try before you buy (the actual guitar) even though that limits your choices. Good luck!

[8mileshigher]

Mr. Hall has said on several threads (both here or on the Corporate Forum) that all Ric twelve-string necks are designed to be standard tuning with the standard Ric 10s sets of round wound strings. Yeah, I know Roger McGuinn recomends tuning down to Db for easing the tension on the necks ... but JH knows these guitars strengths and weaknesses better than anyone, IMO.

As for the debate on the 300 series neck width vrs. the 660-12 neck width ---- there are dozens of threads and posting on this topic and the opinions are all over the place. Everyone has their own preferance. I think its good that you're getting to test drive that TP Limited Edition model. Only you will know which neck width and shape you really prefer.

I solved the neck width dilemma myself by getting a 12 stringer of each, a 360-12 and a 660-12.

[xpitt]

I solved the neck width dilemma myself by getting a 12 stringer of each, a 360-12 and a 660-12.

Yeah, that is exactly what I did as well

[wmthor]

I solved the neck width dilemma myself by getting a 12 stringer of each, a 360-12 and a 660-12.

Like Rich & Alex, I have two 12 strings, a 360/12 CW and a 660/12. Unlike them, both of mine are leftys.

[kylek350]

Thanks for all the info! I forgot to mention my preference of the 7.25" radius on my C58 over the V59, so I imagine that's another plus for the c63/12. I've been using TI Jazz Flats on the 325 and think they're fantastic. So is the consensus TI 10's for the 12-string? I was thinking about trying a 9-gauge set, because on most of the Ric 12s I've played, I feel like the frets are so shallow (a la Les Paul Custom - Fretless Wonder) that I kill my fingers, especially with the lacquered board that I don't have to contend with on the c58.

Any of you guys get to the compare the c63 neck to your others Ric 12s? I've been lucky buying guitars used and am ideally gonna snag a used c63. As long as I can play one somewhere, I'll have a pretty good sense for what the neck profile is like.

[BILLYC58]

The tom petty is a really beautiful guitar thats nice of your friend to loan you one.
Is the 660/12 harder to play then a 620/12 since the neck is wider thats the only thing thats held me back from getting one ?
Billy

[ricoh]

Both are nice guitars. The 660/12 has a flatter, wider neck than the c63/12. The c63/12 's neck is fatter and has more shoulder. If I could have kept the 660/12 I would have but I decided to sell and buy a c63/12. I have mine strung with 9's and tuned to A440. Like all my guitars I had to set it up to my preference. I found the solid body a little brighter.

[sleepingtiger]

Sooo, the 660 neck IS wider?

Tony

[JakeK]

That's the point.

[sleepingtiger]

Thanks! I love the 660 look!

Tony