Could a 620 12 string be played as a 6 string?

tim_macdougall · Post by **tim_macdougall** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 11:52 am

Hi, I was wondering if a 620 12 string could be played as a six string guitar? Could the twelve string tension be maintained by using six heavy gauge strings? Is the neck tension something to worry about? I am asking because I was wondering if I could buy a 12 string instead of having to get both a twelve and a six string guitar? What do you think?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 12:22 pm

I know plenty of players that do this .

You will need to adjust the truss rods to 'jump' back and forth for this .

You will NOT hurt the instrument at all.

grsnovi · Post by **grsnovi** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 2:52 pm

In fact, Rickenbacker used to make a 12 string which had a "comb" device that could be engaged to pull down the octave strings so that you could go back and forth while it was strung as a twelve string (I actually played one once..

bails · Post by **bails** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 6:03 pm

I have an '80 330/12, strung as a six string, but there are two few minor points to note. Firstly, you may need to detach the plastic nut, so that it can be slid up or down slightly to compensate for the twelve string slots being slightly higher and lower than the center of the string position. This is unnoticable at the bridge end, so no need to replace the bridge! Secondly, I don't know what current Rick 12 necks are like, but my 1980 is very fat. It's okay when you get used to it, but it is a hell of a lot more chunky than a six string neck, and a little harder to play.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jul 17, 2001 2:22 am

Right you are Gary. It was the Model 366/12

axel · Post by **axel** » Thu Jul 19, 2001 7:20 am

Does that mean that all Ric 12 have fatter necks, due to more tension to deal with ?
tell me they don't..
axel

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Thu Jul 19, 2001 1:42 pm

I had a 360/12 with a very thin neck. I think it's all a matter of who's shaping the necks that day.

carr · Post by **carr** » Thu Jul 19, 2001 7:43 pm

My 360/12 appeard to have a thinner neck than my 370.......work that out.... I eventually put the vernier on them and at the nut they were the same. I lowered the strings which improved the 370 but it still feels thicker. Maybe its the shape at the edges of the neck thats thicker. Ill check that

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Jul 20, 2001 10:10 am

To my knowledge ..size of neck for strength has NEVER been a factor at Rickenbacker ,the old 360-12 strings that were made from day one to the Carl wilson signatures all have that skinny neck .

If you found a fat one ....you are lucky!