660/12 - Should I or shouldn't I?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:28 pm

Hi all.

I've just been informed that the RIC importer / distributor out here has a new 660/12 in stock. I'm keen to get a 12 string (in spite of the fact that I've only had my 330/6 for a few weeks) and the 660 appeals mainly because of the wider neck but also the checkerboard binding and totally delicious 'Cresting Wave' shape.

I've seen a number of postings about the so-called 'cheesy/cheap' vintage tuners on the 660. Are they really anything to be concerned about?

The one available is Fireglo. As my 330/6 is Fireglo also, I was hoping for (in order of preference) MB (which would be a miracle!), MG or JG. The 660 body looks to have a quite different FG color mix than the 330 (more yellow toward the middle) and I guess if I had to live with it (hell, what am I saying??) I wouldn't struggle too much.

If I don't snap it up it will be many, many long months before another one becomes available. I think the relatively short financial pain will be far more bearable than that of looking up in the sky every day hoping that the 747 overhead has my RIC inside!.

Hence my question: 'Should I or shouldn't I?'

Cheers

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:34 pm

C'mon Howard. You're a big boy.

You know what my answer would be!

Cheesy tuners? Huh. GFI

Go For It. You wanna wait fer another?

You're not getting any younger.

Etc.

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:56 pm

The cresting wave with binding is one of the great body designs in the history of the electric guitar. It's got full-width the full inlays, which separates it from the more mundane dots and smaller triangles. It's got a slightly wider neck, so some folks find it easier to play. It's got toasters, for the vintage sound. It's got a trapeze tailpiece, so you won't be exploring uncharted territory with your use of profanity. IMHO, the 660/12 and the 360/12C63 are the two best looking guitars that RIC makes today.

I've got a set of the same tuners on one of my guitars, and I think they're just dandy.

Buy the damn thing.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:58 pm

I love the "Cresting Wave" body. Its a classic, an under appreciated classic.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:00 pm

This is a no-brainer, Howard!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:13 pm

Or if you ask John Williams, he might say it's a "no boner"...

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:39 pm

My gorgeous FG 660/12 stays in tune through transport of many kinds. After 3 days in a UPS environment, it came out of the case in tune. In fact, it has yet to come out of the case out of tune in 6 weeks. The tuners are fine. The guitar is delectable.

Pull the trigger, Howard.

...Dean

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:54 pm

Interesting expresion, 'no brainer' (uniquely American I'd say). I had to google it to find out what it REALLY means! Thank God you're not having a dig at me (I think)!!

That's the sort of thing I wanted to hear, Dean.

Thanks for that!

Yeah, well.......the round's in the chamber and the hammer's cocked!

frankabq · Post by **frankabq** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:26 pm

If you ask my wife she'd say "Costco has a laminate wood flooring onsale for $1.48 per SQ FT. and that guitar cost as much as reflooring most of the house!" As far as I'm concerned, buy it! Especially if you think it'll be hard to get another. I've been thinking about buying a 6 string Ric with the wave crest shape because it is so unique even though I bought a 360/6 last year and a Les Paul STD LE last month. If you can aford to live lean a while go for it! My moto is "More Guitars". I have 9. Of course I'm 53 yrs old and have had time to collect them. Good Luck.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:55 am

Buy it!

"no brainer" is a good thing....

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:37 am

If you want a 12-string electric with "the" sound, this is the best you can get in a production model. I have an MB 660/12 and I love it. Although I wish I had known BBR was on the horizon when I ordered it

360dave660 · Post by **360dave660** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:54 am

carpe guitarum !

this rossmiesel design is timeless and the flame on a 660 FG as just super. I know because I used to own one.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:09 pm

OK, OK! Stupid question, wasn't it??

Refer new thread!

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:16 pm

Howard, I have a 660/12 Tom Petty in Jetglo. It's the best solid body 12 string ever made. And it's in Fireglo? Fantastic! The only way I'd let mine go would be to swap for a Fireglo 660/12.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:32 pm

We'll be close to twins, Lee. A 330/6 and 660/12 each - ain't that wonderful??