If You Find Ric 12-String Necks Too Narrow, Here's Gibson...

[jps]

I know the guy who came up with the idea - we went out a couple of night in Nashville. He's a really cool and great guy although he looks like the stereotypical nerd

So, the 12 string LP was dreamed up by an engineer playing around with his CAD system?

Uhm... no... he did it while playing with his pencil!

I see, so that it is where the Traditional part comes in.

[stsang]

The guitar seems to have a proper 12-string Tune-o-matic bridge so at least it should have good intonation. Decades ago, I learned to play guitar on a Les Paul (copy) so for sentimental reasons I think I'll have to try out this new 12-string. I do like the sustain on Les Pauls...

[Folkie]

Interesting thread, Simon. I didn't know these guitars existed. I'm not a Les Paul fan, and I can't imagine spending that kind of money for a guitar that won't jangle and shimmer like my two Rics. Also, in my experience, Les Pauls are unbelievably heavy, and my Rics are among the lightest electric guitars I own. And for those who have trouble with the narrow Rickenbacker necks, there's no reason to give up on owning a Ric. You'll always have the option of investing in a 600-series 12-string, or doing just what Todd Bradshaw and numerous others here have recommended: having a luthier or tech cut you a new nut with tighter courses to allow wider spacing between pairs. There are so many options when it comes to Rickenbacker guitars. And, as we all know, they sound like nothing else!

[sloop_john_b]

Interesting thread, Simon. I didn't know these guitars existed. I'm not a Les Paul fan, and I can't imagine spending that kind of money for a guitar that won't jangle and shimmer like my two Rics. Also, in my experience, Les Pauls are unbelievably heavy, and my Rics are among the lightest electric guitars I own. And for those who have trouble with the narrow Rickenbacker necks, there's no reason to give up on owning a Ric. You'll always have the option of investing in a 600-series 12-string, or doing just what Todd Bradshaw and numerous others here have recommended: having a luthier or tech cut you a new nut with tighter courses to allow wider spacing between pairs. There are so many options when it comes to Rickenbacker guitars. And, as we all know, they sound like nothing else!

Like Ricks, Gibson 12's also have a distinct, unique sound - go watch "The Song Remains The Same" and report back.

[Folkie]

I did, in fact, see "The Song Remains the Same," but that was about 25 years ago, long before I knew much about 12-string tone. I understand Jimmy Page also used a Danelectro 12-string on occasion. I probably shouldn't have bashed the new Gibson without playing one. I just can't imagine that a solidbody guitar with humbuckers would sound even close to my 330/12 or 360/12 (Granted the 600-series Rics are solidbodies). It's all a very subjective business anyway.

[stsang]

I just can't imagine that a solidbody guitar with humbuckers would sound even close to my 330/12 or 360/12 (Granted the 600-series Rics are solidbodies). It's all a very subjective business anyway.

Quite right, Robert. I think the point is that we now have another 12-string tone option (non-Rickenbacker), which also happens to have a wider neck. As someone else pointed out, if anyone needs a 12-string RIC with a wider neck, the 660/12 will fit the bill.

[Chrome Aardvark]

The guitar seems to have a proper 12-string Tune-o-matic bridge so at least it should have good intonation. Decades ago, I learned to play guitar on a Les Paul (copy) so for sentimental reasons I think I'll have to try out this new 12-string. I do like the sustain on Les Pauls...

Have a closer look, it's a regular TOM with the saddles slotted for pairs of strings. So it's the same as Gibson has used on all their electric 12's since the 60's. Ibanez copies, which use metric measurements on their TOM bridges, used 12 saddle TOM bridges. I've been looking for a Gibson 12 saddle TOM bridge that uses imperial measurements for my ES-335 12-string for years now and have yet to find one.

[stsang]

Have a closer look, it's a regular TOM with the saddles slotted for pairs of strings. So it's the same as Gibson has used on all their electric 12's since the 60's. Ibanez copies, which use metric measurements on their TOM bridges, used 12 saddle TOM bridges. I've been looking for a Gibson 12 saddle TOM bridge that uses imperial measurements for my ES-335 12-string for years now and have yet to find one.

Well spotted - you are right!
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri ... Specs.aspx

[electrofaro]

Have a closer look, it's a regular TOM with the saddles slotted for pairs of strings.

I noticed that when I checked one out at tweaking, was one of the first things I checked It might not be the fastest selling Les Paul, but there's definitely a market for these.