Thoughts on the 360/12 CW.......

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Sep 21, 2001 3:12 am

Hello Peter and everyone else!!! I have missed being away from the Forum but I am back now!! I recently picked up a 360/12 CW and I have to say it is quite an instrument....it's construction and sound come very close to the actual '60s vintage Rickenbacker 12-strings. One thing I would like to bring to attention is that this guitar has a 6-saddle bridge and the intonation is simply fantastic. The profile of the fretboard on the 360/12 CW is a bit flatter than my '68 370/12 so it is easier to capo the CW (ala "If I Needed Someone") and the pickups just scream - this Rickenbacker is just awesome in fit and finish all-around. Again hello to everyone and it is good to be back.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Sep 22, 2001 1:52 am

Welcome back John! Thanks for your comments with regard to the Carl Wilson 360/12. Would you please comment on the difference in the feel between the fretboard of the 360/12CW and the 370/12 and its impact on playability? Also, it would seem likely, with the 6 saddle bridge, that you will need to use the RIC string gauges from the factory to maintain intonation. Have you experimented with different string gauges as of yet?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Sep 24, 2001 3:43 am

Peter, the fretboard on my '68 370/12 has a moderate curve to it, making it difficult to apply a capo unless the capo is curved as well. Dare I say it, but the CW may be a little easier to play than the 370/12....The neck is thinner in depth on the 370/12 than on the CW..I may do some measurements and get back to everyone on this...
The guitar was new and still has the factory strings on it, and I am guessing they are 10's; I have tried 9's on the '68 and they just don't have enough meat to them..nevertheless the CW has as perfect an intonation that I have experienced on just about any guitar I've played. The guitar performs admirably, even in my hands!!!! It is very faithful to the one built 'back in the day'...

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon Sep 24, 2001 7:11 am

Just thought I would add my two cents. Being that I own a 360/12CW, might I say that although the six string saddle is fine, installing a 12 string saddle makes it even better. The notes are better, intonation is improved, and it just seemed to sound better. Rockin guitar....nice job Rickenbacker. Only improvement possible would be if Carl were still with us to play his signature model. Oh well, imagine what the band in heaven sounds like now with him up there playing his RIC!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Sep 24, 2001 10:48 am

Benjamin, I am with you....the music we are given while we are alive should not be taken for granted, cause you never know how long one is going to stay around. The Beach Boys will keep on making a lasting impact with people for as long as people have ears to listen......
In reading your post I harken back to a comment made by John Hall earlier in a debate about 6 vs. 12-saddle bridge concerning the difference in the saddle composition (aluminum vs. steel respectively)....it would be neat to hear them side-by-side to hear the difference in tone!!!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jan 13, 2002 2:47 pm

A nice 360/12CW headstock can be seen here. Thanks goes to R.C. Bengston for sending this one in.

stanley · Post by **stanley** » Sun Mar 17, 2002 5:21 am

I went to Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center in the DC area (Wheaton, Md) to look at Ricks. I was looking for a 6 string 360 for my son and a 360 12 string for me. Over the phone a salesman had quoted $1045.00 for a 360 12 string with case and I thought that was a decent price. When I got there the salesman told me he would go upstairs and bring the 360 12 string Rick for me. He showed up with three Carl Wilson models and told me they did not have any more 360s in stock. I have seen this before--- "the old routine to get you in the store by quoting low prices". IN any event I tried the Carl Wilson's and ended up buying one for $1345.00. The guitar looks great and it is surprisingly easy to play. However, I do not like the pick guard with the Carl Wilson name. This is probably a stupid question, but one would think I could get a nameless pickguard and stick the CW in the case. The certificate, which I left unopened states this one is #397 out of 500.

Was this a good deal?
Why did they have so many CWs in stock and no 360-12? Could this be an overpriced guitar or could this be the fact that the CW is not popular?
He also had a 381, but it was much more and I didn't look at it.

j

westcoastphil · Post by **westcoastphil** » Sun Mar 17, 2002 5:49 am

Julio,
Sounds like you got a good deal.

You can order a blank pickguard for the guitar from RIC corp. I did this for my 370RM12, and keep the signature pickguard in a safe place with the certificate.

corey · Post by **corey** » Sun Mar 17, 2002 7:46 am

Since the CW series just ended recently, I'd say we'll have to wait a few years to see what the turnover is on them.

I'm guessing this will be/is a popular series.

- Lots of people like 360/6 or 360/12's as their Ric of choice

- Lots of people love fireglo (especially with retro shading and AWSOME charactered maple)

- 60's specs scatterwounds (we all like the numbers 7.4ohm)

Personally, it looks to me like this guitar is a real winner. Judging on the price you got as well, I'd say this is a real "player's" model that is priced to move. Julio, keep us posted on what your son thinks of the CW.

Re. why so many CW's in stock? Maybe because he couldn't get in any "regular" 360/12's and thought "Hey, this is a Signature Series 360/12, I can move these models just as easy". I'd wonder how many signature models make it up here to Canada - as I've only seen a 370/12RM in Toronto.

stanley · Post by **stanley** » Sun Mar 17, 2002 11:57 am

I had to wait 30 minutes for their guitar guy to set it up and took it home. The store policy is one free set up everytime you buy a new guitar. So far I am extremely happy with the CW model and have started to write a Beatlesque 12 string type tune. BTW, Chuck Levein's in DC moves a lot of equipment and they refuse to join up with the national GCs of the world. The guitar salesman said he could get a 360 6 string for about $900 something. Also saw a Fender Jaguar for $1025 and played lots of Taylors while waiting for the guitar guy to set up the CW. The intonation was perfect and today 24 hiurs later it is still in perfect tune. The guitar is very light and very loud acoustically.

Thanks for the reassurance, I was not expecting to buy the CW.

J

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Sun Mar 17, 2002 1:31 pm

Julio: Congratulations on the purchase of the 360/12 CW. I doubt you will be disappointed with it. Sounds like you got a very good deal.

In my opinion, it's probably one of the best RICs produced; scatterwounds, 21 fret neck, checkered binding, thinner top, etc. Mine is definitely lighter than either my 360 or 1997.

BTW, I purchased a plain upper pickguard for mine shortly after getting it.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 3:18 am

Julio: I did the same thing for my CW: I wanted to keep the upper pickguard nice, so I found a upper 'guard on the internet and some chrome-top knobs...it really looks cool, and if I want I can always put it back the way it came from Rickenbacker. They really do sound great and look fantastic; congratulations on a good purchase...Chuck Levin's is a great place to shop, although it can get a bit hectic in there. Some Saturdays in there sometimes resemble the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. I've shopped there off and on for over 20 years...it's always fun to go.

stanley · Post by **stanley** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 4:30 am

John:

Yeah, they have more security folks on the floor than GC, that is for sure.

I hate to ask, but how much did you pay for the pickguard?

I agree, chrome knobs would look cool on it.

In the Gretsch web site Elliot Easton recommended replacing the nut of 12 strings with one that brings the string pairs closer together. He stated that makes it much easier to play. Does anyone else around here recommend that?

j

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 5:22 am

Julio: If I remember right I got it for about $35.00--I don't know if that's good or bad. Just make sure of one thing...If you see one on the 'net for sale, make sure it's for a 21-fret neck guitar, 'cause the pickup placement is different on the CW than reg. production 360/12's..You may wanna contact the Rick12Dr...

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 5:27 am

WHAT?????

I think you need to find out What 12 string he is speaking of .
An acoustic has a neck width of 1 & 7/8" or
1 & 3/4" or 1 & 11/16" .These are all wider spacied necks than a 360-12 or 330-12.(Both of those necks are a total width
of 1 & 5/8") ...considerably narrower than an acoustic.

The spacing between the strings in each pair on these acoustic is also typically about .120 .

On a Rick the space between the paired strings is about .070 to .090 at the most ....that is much closer again!

As to the space between the pairs ......Rick's are THE closest .PERIOD.

I have seen photos of Elliot with lots of guitars , and as he is a lefty ...most of these are 'special' .......I know he has had Rick 360-12 guitars in the past .

If he is talking about making the acoustics more like the Rick ..I can understand that .
But ....this would be the FIRST time EVER hearing "Make my Rick 12 string nut closer together"

That is something I have just never heard from anyone .So have this clarrified please.