My new 1966 330/12

Early years of Rickenbacker Guitars prior to and including 1972

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sys700
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My new 1966 330/12

Post by sys700 »

I've been on the lookout for a pre mid-66 12-string for some time now, ever since my last one had to be refinished due to a neck reset. It was important to me that it have long-pole pickups, a 3-piece top, have a solid neck joint, and be as near to mint condition as possible. Well, I finally found one, but had to wait several years to find it.

This one is in about as near mint condition as you can find. I was a bit nervous buying it because the action seemed a bit high near the neck pickup, but it simply needed a truss rod adjustment. It's now the best playing 12-string I've ever owned with really low action and no buzzing. Neck is straight as an arrow. Finish is very clean with only a couple tiny marks on the tip of the headstock and one paint fleck missing next to the TRC. Chrome is shiny. Nickel tuners are even shiny. Bridge is shiny and bridge cover is intact (now removed and stored). Deluxe case is also in mint condition with the keys and wrench still sealed in their envelope. It even has the original silver guitar cable in the case. And yes, it sounds amazing. When you play a chord it just sustains forever. It sounds incredibly loud unplugged, almost like an acoustic guitar. Oh yes, the first two letters of the serial number are FG (for FireGlo...I mean for July 66).

This guitar was owned by a former editor of Creem magazine, who kept it under his bed and only pulled it out a couple times to play it. I guess he was more into heavy metal. :? After he passed away he left it to his son, who brokered it through a guitar store in NY where I found it (on gbase). Pretty fantastic condition...not many out there in this condition anymore...but I'll let the pictures do the talking. :D

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Last edited by sys700 on Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:21 pm, edited 3 times in total.
1964 FireGlo 330S (domestic 1997 w/trapeze)
1966 FireGlo 330/12 (Paul W. 360/12OS conversion)
1968 FireGlo 360F
1972 FireGlo 4001
1973 FireGlo 4001
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collin
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by collin »

Pardon my drooling...


That's amazing, Rod! Just a gorgeous, clean original 330/12 – congrats!


p.s. do you mean Lester Bangs of Creem magazine? Classic magazine there!
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sys700
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by sys700 »

I'll have to ask the guy I bought it from again as the name escapes me.
Last edited by sys700 on Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1964 FireGlo 330S (domestic 1997 w/trapeze)
1966 FireGlo 330/12 (Paul W. 360/12OS conversion)
1968 FireGlo 360F
1972 FireGlo 4001
1973 FireGlo 4001
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sys700
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by sys700 »

I have to say, I'm partial to dot necks, particularly on Rickenbackers.
1964 FireGlo 330S (domestic 1997 w/trapeze)
1966 FireGlo 330/12 (Paul W. 360/12OS conversion)
1968 FireGlo 360F
1972 FireGlo 4001
1973 FireGlo 4001
Folkie
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by Folkie »

Wow, Rod, you've got yourself a rare bird! 8) I'm amazed that you found a vintage 330 in such pristine condition. What kind of strings did you put on her?
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sys700
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by sys700 »

I have TI flats on my other '66 12, so on this one I decided on using a Curt Mangan Pick of the Ricks nickel roundwound set. They almost seem like a cross between rounds and flats with very little string noise. I really like the tone I'm getting out of it. It has a powerful, crisp attack and sustains like a guitar out of Spinal Tap... :lol:
1964 FireGlo 330S (domestic 1997 w/trapeze)
1966 FireGlo 330/12 (Paul W. 360/12OS conversion)
1968 FireGlo 360F
1972 FireGlo 4001
1973 FireGlo 4001
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8mileshigher
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My new 1966 330/12

Post by 8mileshigher »

Rod --- that's really excellant photography there of a very beautiful 12 string. :D
Congratulations on this find !
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godber
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by godber »

Superb condition. Congrats on the beautiful guitar, it looks like it was worth the wait.
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sys700
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by sys700 »

Got the seller to clarify. It was Lou O'neill Jr. of Circus Magazine.
1964 FireGlo 330S (domestic 1997 w/trapeze)
1966 FireGlo 330/12 (Paul W. 360/12OS conversion)
1968 FireGlo 360F
1972 FireGlo 4001
1973 FireGlo 4001
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billydlight
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by billydlight »

So the quest is finally over??
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sys700
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by sys700 »

LOL. You should know Billy. The quest never ends. Still looking for that elusive 1993, and Lightshow, and 4001s, and... :D
1964 FireGlo 330S (domestic 1997 w/trapeze)
1966 FireGlo 330/12 (Paul W. 360/12OS conversion)
1968 FireGlo 360F
1972 FireGlo 4001
1973 FireGlo 4001
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billydlight
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by billydlight »

Yep,let me know when are ready to get rid of this one :D :D
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danm
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by danm »

Great looking guitar. Nice pictures too.
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deaconblues
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by deaconblues »

Very nice! Love seeing a 21 fretter.
JakeK
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Re: My new 1966 330/12

Post by JakeK »

Congrats, Rod! It looks brand new, and your pictures are lifelike. What's your method to taking good pictures? Every time I try to take pictures of my guitars, they just look uninspired.
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