360/12's

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:51 am

Are the same nut modifications necessary for a 360/12V63 as is a regular 360/12? I had to go through some major planning and design to get my 360/12 playable for me. The nut slots were too close together making fingering difficult. If I bought a 360/12V63 would I have to do the same thing?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:30 am

Chris, if you found the 360/12 to be cramped for space it is likely that you would have the same experience with the 360/12V64, the 360/12C63 or the 330/12 for that matter. You may notice a tad more space with the 330/12 but I don't think so. I am betting that your adjustment required more room between the D and G string pairs. I made changes to both my 450/12 and my 1993SPC to give me a hair more room in this area and it made a world of difference for me.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:25 am

Chris, I had a 360/12 which I found impossible to play for the same reason as you. When I came across my 450/12, it was so brilliant & easy to play, that I sold my 360. When I was at Mike Smiths place at Rics'R'Us, I tried a 360/12v63 & it was fabulous. The neck width is the same as a standard 360, but I could have played anything on that gtr. The difference was astounding. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford it! I also tried a Carl Wilson 360/12 but that was as bad as my old 360. I tried a 320/12 in a local shop & that was easier than my 360, but not as good as the reissue & they all have the same neck width. I don't know what the difference is, but clearly a Ric 12 strings playability is a lot more than just neck width.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:26 pm

Tony: It is the set up and this includes the string spacing. I can't think of a single instrument that I have purchased over the years, Rickenbacker or otherwise in which some tweaking was required, eventually. Most often not because of the quality of the construction but my hand size and playing style.

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:01 am

Anyone have a *good* closeup picture of one of these modified nuts that they could post? I'll be making a new nut for my 360/12 soon, and I'm intrigued by this modified spacing.

Thanks.

rickenuser · Post by **rickenuser** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:32 am

I just had work done on my 360/12v64 by Mark Arnquist. For a good price, he replaced the 6 string bridge w/a 12 string bridge (after doing some very nice detail work on the 12 string bridge), unwound my "bright" toasters to vintage specs (and sured up the assemblies inside the pickups as well), cut, re-spaced, and installed the new nut, installed a .047 mf cap in the tone pot (as per vintage specs), dressed the frets as necessary, tightend the fittings of both the strap holders and the tuning peg holes with cy-glue, and did this in a very timely manner. My 12 string never sounded so "George-like", and it plays as easily as any guitar I have ever played! I have read some "wows" and some flames on this forum about Mark, but my experience was excellent. He kept in good communication with me and did an awesome job. I'm ecstatic with his work, and that's what counts to me!

blackhdwr · Post by **blackhdwr** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 4:33 pm

Mark did my 360-12 about 18 months ago and I second Terrano's sentiments. I had basically the same mods (without the tone pot cap) but also had the challenge of replacing my cracked "R" tailpiece (in non-replaceable black). We replaced it with a powdercoated trapeze tailpiece (love the look).

Mark was timely with his work, had some great stories to tell and I took my "new" guitar home knowing that it had been worked on by the best. I know that there have been a few that have posted issues with him, and from my experience, it just doesn't sound like the same person. Artist? True ones can be a little quirky at times. Human? Very much so. But I enjoyed dealing with him and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to a friend. Thanks Mark.