Calling Carl Wilson Owners!

tntele · Post by **tntele** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:23 am

I have an opportunity to pick up a 360CW in Jetglo that is in mint condition at a good price. Here is my question, are they worth the extra money over a standard 360? I like the features (21 Fret, full width inlays, toasters, thin top, etc...) but is this guitar really worth the extra money? I do want to add that I have not played this guitar, so I can't speak for the sound, tone or feel. Thanks for your input.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:25 am

It's a collectable, so it depends how much more it will cost you, and whether that is worth it to you. I'd also be considering whether that additional investment could be maintained, as in keeping the guitar as pristine as possible.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:41 am

Agreed. It is a collectable and like anything a person purchases it depends on how much it's going to be worth to you.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 8:16 am

I have a 360CW six-string, and it has a sound and feel distinct from a standard 360 (comparing it to my 360 Turquoise from 1996). It's difficult to put into words something so subjective, but I know this: I would play it more if it weren't a collectable because I really like it.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:13 am

I love mine, and when I compared it to a regular 360 I thought it sounded better. The thinner top, the full-width inlays, the checkered binding, the flamed maple (not such a big deal on a jetglow), and the vintage 7.4 ohm pickups all made it a better guitar in my opinion. I say go for it!

sinjunkie · Post by **sinjunkie** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:32 am

I bought mine to use it. I guess i could leave it in the case under my bed,but I will most likely die before it is worth much more than I paid for it. Also I don't think I'll be able to retire off the sale of one guitar, have fun with it they have a great sound and it's as close as you'll get to a 60's model there is.
other things I bought to use are a 79 Triumph Tiger, 55 Gibson 225T, Gretsch BroadKaster Bass,
67 MGB
Hey you only live once, make yourself happy.

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:47 am

It is my favorite guitar and I was blown away by how well it plays, the importance of the thin top and how it is different from my stock 360 MG from '96. It is worth the extra money and sort of the sleeper collectable ric because there has not been the expedential growth that one finds with a susanna hoffs, john lennon, john kay or roger mcguinn. Mine's a fireglo and it really is beautiful and the sound, especially with pyramids is stupendous. If I could drum up the cash, I would probably try to pick up cw-12, but, I don't use the 360-12 w/toasters that I already have so, i'd rather buy another six string like a blueburst or the 380 laguna.

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:06 am

I picked-up a CW12 a few months ago, after having the 6-string for about a year. Its the best 12-string I have ever played and the sound is magic. I waffled back and forth between the 660 and this one I love them both but went with the CW because I love the 60s 360 style. The guitar sounds incredible both acoustic and plugged in. What I had a problem with was open chords on the first fret, i.e., Am7, C, etc. I tried everything but couldn't eliminate touching adjacent strings with my fretted finger, which sounded terrible. That's when I started to look into the mod that Mark Arnquist does. He can literally "optimize" the string separation and performs other fine tuning of the instrument, all in away that it maintains its original intention. He was kind in sharing some pictures of a before and after nut modification. I wanted so much to send it to him but I couldn't be without it for any length of time, plus I live in Virginia, a long ways away from Washington State. I decided to try and cut my own and it worked. I was able to cut a new functional nut that gave me a little extra room. As it turns out a little was a lot. Once I proved to myself that I could do this, I fashioned two more to get it almost perfect. It plays like a dream and the action is very low. I have never hesitated in trying new things like this and I am glad I did. I am ecstatic about how it plays sounds and looks and I learned more about the guitar.

Now, I feel like I can do this on any guitar where more room is needed. Oh, BTW, I made the new nut out of bone and I swear the sound is rings more, at least acoustically.

Some people have the impression that a 12-string is a one trick pony - NOT. I play in a 3-piece British Invasion band, call the DialTones, Norfolk, VA. I could use this guitar on the majority of songs. The fullness is a big plus with only 3 pieces. An example of the switch is, Heart Full of Soul," Yardbirds. It’s amazing with the 12-string and on the lead I use moderate overdrive and the 12-string sings, as Melissa would say, "like Angels."

Now, I feel like I can do this on any guitar where more room is needed. Oh, BTW, I made the new nut out of bone and I swear the sound is rings more, at least acoustically.

Some people have the impression that a 12-string is a one trick pony - NOT. I play in a 3-piece British Invasion band , call the DialTones, Norfolk, VA. I could use this guitar on the majority of songs. The fullness is a big plus with only 3 pieces. An example of the switch is, Heart Full of Soul," Yardbirds. Its amazing with the 12-string and on the lead I use moderate overdrive and the 12-string sings, as Melissa would say, "like Angels."

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:13 am

BTW, if anyone would like a picture of my mod send an email. [email protected].

Ignore the double post above.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:01 am

I love my 360/12CW! Mine is one of the more highly figured Fireglow finishes, almost a quilted effect. I've had mine now since June 2000, and it's probabaly my favorite of the 4 RIC 12ers I own (370/12RM, 660/12TP, and a 360/12V64) because of the thinner neck. I also changed the pickguard to a plain version and also changed the control knobs to the silver topped ones to get it to look more like George Harrison's 1965 360/12.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 6:21 am

Bill, that's a great post, and I'm glad that you "stuck with it". One of our kind members offered me a CW12 awhile back, but I already have the 660-12 and I decided that I wanted a 381.

Now, I know that my 660 has the wider neck, and it has never been modded. I played my first 12 back when George B*** was doing keggers (a Guild) and also owned a German Framus 12 semi for a decade. These both had necks that seemed substantially wider than even the 660. My fingers are slender. Still, it is taking me some time to get back into my 12-string mode, even with the wider neck! But, as Melissa has stated in the past, the callous is the key. As my fingertips harden up and I got my nails removed surgically (kidding there), those in-between open strings are ringing better and better.

After playing 6s for so long (decades) with little 12 relief, technique modification has also been necessary--no lazy laydowns--those fingers have to stand up like soldiers on the fretboard!

IMO, a CW needs a transparent finish (FG or MG) to show off the grain. Or maybe somebody can realign my thinking--does the thinner top and parallel mono wiring make such a big sonic difference, if one were to fit a "regular" 360 with toasters for omparison's sake?

Re: collectability, you're looking at a long time , again, IMO, before the CW appreciates enough to make any difference in your kids' college choices.

Carl was the first player I ever saw play a Rick live in concert, in Chicago, in 1966. I was expecting the old Olympic White Jaguar and he blew my mind with the Rick!

chronictown · Post by **chronictown** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:22 am

My CW12 is the nicest guitar I've ever seen and played - I still can't believe I own one! Incredible sound acoustically or electrically. I too swapped the pickguard and knobs for the correct 60's look. In terms of collectibility, it doesn't really matter much to me since I never plan on selling it - it's going to be a player as only a fine instrument like this deserves to be.

Photo by Mike Parks

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:30 am

My local vintage shop (Mandolin Bros) has a CW/12 in Fireglo for $2000...God that is a nice guitar. I'd really consdider selling my Blue Boy to get it.

tntele · Post by **tntele** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:17 pm

Thanks for your input, it appears that everyone has had nothing but glowing reviews of their respective 360CW. This particular 360CW is $1500, so I think that it is a fairly good deal. Thanks again.

janglebox · Post by **janglebox** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:55 pm

I'll add my enthusiastic support for the CW. My 360-12CW is beautful, much lighter than either of my 370-12s, and the pickups sound the best of the bunch. It's my favorite player. Like others here, I swapped out the pickguard and had the nut recut to give me a little more space between octave pairs. This guitar is absolutely worth it's premium price. In fact, I bought two when they first came out. One is being stored in mint condition. I hope it appreciates enough in value to pay for them both one day. lol!