Surprise NGD and some noob questions.

berek · Post by **berek** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:52 pm

Hello All, first Ric, new member, first post,

I received a very generous gift from a friend, a 1998 Fireglo 360 12v64. It had not been out of the case in ten years, and the owner decided to pass it on to someone who would use it. I was utterly flabbergasted and embarrassed at such a gift, but here I am now.

First of all, needs strings. Reading old posts I see TI flats are very popular, as are the Pick of the Ricks custom set (which are NOT flat or even ground correct?). I also saw mention of the D'addario ground wound set. Just google searching I found a LaBella flat wound set that looks very promising, but I see no love for LaBella anywhere in the forums.

Is it worth the ~$100 to get a 12-saddle bridge?

Some of the tuners feel very loose and sloppy. Can I open them up and do anything to help?

This 360 has the dual mono outputs. What is the purpose of that?? I am thinking it was just so that the dual mono and mono/Ric-o-sound models could be made with the same tooling and parts. Otherwise what is the point of splitting mono at the guitar. I understand some people's desire to dual-amp, but a Y splitter later down the line would be much more practical than two instrument chords coming out of the guitar.

Finally other than the classic Vox AC30, what amps are people's favorites? I have a Blues Jr with several Bilmod mods and a Cannabis Rex, also have a Roland Cube 30XL and a Line 6 Flextone III XL. The Flextone is a modelling amp, so I am sure there is "chime" in there to be found.

Thanks for the guidance. I look forward to learning much.

-berek

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:40 pm

Wow, Kenn ----- that is quite a friend you have, to honor you with such a gift !!!

Congratulations and welcome aboard the RRF !

There are pros and con views on the 12-saddle Bridges... do a search here on the RRF and there are many, many postings that can enlighten you on what people think. I have three Ric 12 strings and one came with a 12-saddle Bridge (the 660-12); one I had changed to a 12-saddle (my 360-12) and the V64-12 I am keeping as is.

As for the "strings" debate .... or the choice of amps --- again there are dozens and dozens of recommendations posted all over the RRF .....

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:23 pm

Nice gift, Kenn! For vintage tone and impressive longevity, TI Flats are the way to go, although there are many other options: POTR's Compressed Wound strings are excellent. As far as amps go, you might consider a Vox AC15: it's lighter to transport than it's bigger brother, very loud, and still jangles endlessly (particularly if you swap the stock Greenback speaker with an Alnico Blue). Fender Deluxe Reverb reissues are also a great match for Rics. If you want to go solid state, you'll pay a lot less. The old Fender Princeton Chorus amps sound great with Ric 12's (you can find a used one in the $150 range), as do the classic Roland JC-120's (an amp Roger McGuinn himself has used onstage). If you do some searches on these matters you'll find opinions all over the map. Good luck finding a mate for your new V64!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:07 am

Welcome, Kenn!

I echo Rich's note on the many existing threads on the choice of strings and amps. Use the Forum search function and read away!

berek · Post by **berek** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:05 pm

Thanks for the welcomes. Always excited to explore a new addiction.

I have LaBella flats on order. I did see several mentions of them in other threads.

I did play through my Blues Jr the other night, but between the dead (and really dirty) strings, and the BJr maybe not being the best fit, couldn't really find the chime. I will try again with new strings and some compression (have a Boss cs-3 and a DOD Milkshake). Really jonesing for a Jangle Box now though after reading about them here (and hearing clips).

Boy this thing is hard to play! I have an Alvarez Yari Acoustic 12-string which I play a lot. The fretboard on the 360 feels like it is an inch narrower! Really tough to squeeze the fingers in there. Gonna take some getting used to.

Anyway, thanks again for the welcomes. Nice to be here.
-berek

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:03 pm

Kenn,

I hope the LaBella flats work for you. As for chime, new strings and a compressor are the way to go. Since you've already read all about the JangleBox pedals, I'll reserve my lavish praise of the JB2 for another thread.

Lots of players with larger hands have trouble with the very narrow Rickenbacker 300-series necks. You can always have your nut and bridge replaced to tighten up those pairs, but first, I would spend some time getting used to the guitar, and also maybe check out Roger McGuinn's instructional DVD "The 12-string Guitar of Roger McGuinn."He demonstrates some new fingerings of familiar chords that enable a player with larger fingers to navigate the fretboard without glitches.

As for the 12-saddle bridge, some here like it, some don't. I replaced the six-saddle bridge on my 360/12 with a 12-saddle, and the intonation was spot on, but the tone was a bit more trebly. Both of my current 12-strings sound great without the 12-saddle.

I hope my comments have been helpful. Best of luck in getting that beauty up and chiming!

Robert

Hotzenplotz · Post by **Hotzenplotz** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:45 pm

My personal "First Posting" of the year!

What an entrance:

berek wrote:Hello All, first Ric, new member, first post,

I received a very generous gift from a friend, a 1998 Fireglo 360 12v64. It had not been out of the case in ten years, and the owner decided to pass it on to someone who would use it. I was utterly flabbergasted and embarrassed at such a gift, but here I am now.

Um, who in this forum never had a dream of such a story, eh!?!

CONGRATS! And, BTW, this is a very special Rickenbacker You have got, Berek! Keep her and care for her, please.
She ran straight into Your arms. - Wow!

berek wrote: First of all, needs strings. Reading old posts I see TI flats are very popular, as are the Pick of the Ricks custom set (which are NOT flat or even ground correct?). I also saw mention of the D'addario ground wound set. Just google searching I found a LaBella flat wound set that looks very promising, but I see no love for LaBella anywhere in the forums.

Personally I prefer TI's. Good quality, good sound and long lasting, certainly a standard in all meanings. A good start to have some tests with different sorts of strings. Maybe You have to adjust the neck (slightly) after a brand or gauge change.
See manual:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/manual.pdf

It's no rocket science - and, in case of doubt, ask here before adjusting whatever.

berek wrote: Is it worth the ~$100 to get a 12-saddle bridge?

Technically it is an improvement. Talking about sound a question of taste. Some say this, some that. Everybody with his personal credentials.
And You or a luthier need to file the saddles in a correct way when buying a new 12 saddle bridge.

berek wrote: Some of the tuners feel very loose and sloppy. Can I open them up and do anything to help?

Do not open them. There is a little phillips screw that holds the chrome knob. Turn them carefully clockwise a few degrees step by step. Withouth strings there should be a little resistance when turning the tuners.

berek wrote: This 360 has the dual mono outputs. What is the purpose of that?? I am thinking it was just so that the dual mono and mono/Ric-o-sound models could be made with the same tooling and parts. Otherwise what is the point of splitting mono at the guitar. I understand some people's desire to dual-amp, but a Y splitter later down the line would be much more practical than two instrument chords coming out of the guitar.

The manual explains it in a good and easy way. The five knob layout also. A nice little helper, again:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/manual.pdf

berek wrote: Finally other than the classic Vox AC30, what amps are people's favorites? I have a Blues Jr with several Bilmod mods and a Cannabis Rex, also have a Roland Cube 30XL and a Line 6 Flextone III XL. The Flextone is a modelling amp, so I am sure there is "chime" in there to be found.

Thanks for the guidance. I look forward to learning much.

-berek

That is a really good range! Play them and watch some video reviews, e.g. on YT. Personally I would start with the Blues Jr..

Enjoy!

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:48 pm

berek wrote:Boy this thing is hard to play! I have an Alvarez Yari Acoustic 12-string which I play a lot. The fretboard on the 360 feels like it is an inch narrower! Really tough to squeeze the fingers in there. Gonna take some getting used to.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 12:54 am

I've always really loved that song and their singing of it. Never saw the video. Thanks.

berek · Post by **berek** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 9:51 am

Thank you all for the welcomes and advice.

I spent some time bonding with the new girl last night. (Still with the old strings however, gonna try to go out at lunch today to see if I can find any TI's local while the LaBellas are on the way). I ran through a Yamaha Magic Stomp set up to emulate a Fender Twin and then just into a mixer and out to studio monitors in my office at home. Nice.

The toasters certainly are NOT high-output, but that gives the tone something special.

Beginning to get accustomed to the narrow and thin neck. Sparse playing seems to be the key for me. Much different than barring chords on my Alvarez 12s which has half a baseball bat for a neck. Action is flat, nice and low and clean. Could actually do some "weedle-deedle" leads up on those "extra" frets above 14 or so. I actually like the 5th knob too. I found myself playing mostly with both pickups all other controls maxed, and using the 5th knob to alter the brightness/fullness to taste for each song.

She is working her way into a special place in the stable.

I noticed last night some cracking either in the binding itself, or the finish over the binding on the body either side of the neck (in the cutaway areas). I will try to get some photos later. Has anyone seen that before?

Thanks again. Nice place you have here.

Hotzenplotz · Post by **Hotzenplotz** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:54 am

A nice dial setting with toasters is to roll back every pot about 1/4 to 1/3 turn (tone knobs also!).

This is making the tone full and mellow but clear, no harsh trebles. With a tube amp You can open the preamp until the breakup begins. Then rolling fouth and back the guitar's volume pots decides between clean tones and creamy distorted.

Especuially with an AC30 a pure joy!

Flats are perfect for that old school Harrison sound, BTW.

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:56 am

That fifth knob is your best friend! Yes, it is a bit redundant, since it simply dials in the level of neck pickup you want, but I find I'm constantly tweaking it, depending on the song and the sound I want to get.

Let us know what the new strings do for you. And, by all means, send some photos!