Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I will definatley buy a 12 string Rick before I buy a 6 string. First though...a bass.

I've been playing 12's since 1968 when I got my first (an accoustic Aria dreadnaught). They have always worked well with the folk-rock music that's been the mainstay of my gigging throughout what my lady refers to as my "career" and I've probably owned nearly a dozen accoustic 12's .

However, over the years I've also had occasion to stray over to the electric 12 side, and none I tried (Carvin, Epi, Fender, Silvertone) were as good in terms of playability, sound, feel, and eye-popping charisma as a Ric. Trouble was that I always pointed my serious spending towards instruments that sustained my income, and there was never really enough left over for a Ric.. So when I "retired", I treated myself to my first Ric... a 12 string (370-12 MG).

My groups still reunites for charity gigs and the like a few times a year, and now my Ric joins my motly accoustic collection onstage when we do. It may not make me a better player, but it sure satisfies something inside me that makes me very happy to own one..

Now, will I buy a Ric 6? Well, Mr Connery's wife once famously said "Never say never..", but it's not in the cards right now. So it may be that a Ric 12 will be both my first AND my last Ric...

Maybe..

<delurk> I have something to add!

My one and only is a 330-12. I bought it new in 1995 from Sound Control in Edinburgh, after I inherited some money. I had wanted a 12 string for some time, and used a chorus pedal to try and fill my sound out with a 6 string (a Squier JV strat). I seem to recall trying out a 330-6 at the same time, but the 12 just sounded fuller.

For some additional gossip, Sound Control brought my guitar in from their Glasgow branch, where they always carried a Rickenbackers as stock. Apparently the guitar player from Wet Wet Wet was prone to wander in each time he was passing and buy another Ricky. I like to think I saved a guitar from a horrible fate...

Cheers
John

johnp wrote:For some additional gossip, Sound Control brought my guitar in from their Glasgow branch, where they always carried a Rickenbackers as stock. Apparently the guitar player from Wet Wet Wet was prone to wander in each time he was passing and buy another Ricky. I like to think I saved a guitar from a horrible fate...

John - Co-incidentally, I used to own a Guild X-170 that was previously owned by the guitarist from Wet Wet Wet. I bought it from Jimmy Moon's shop and wish I'd have held onto it.
The guitarist (Graeme Duffin, IIRC) was not always pictured with the group for their "pretty boy" stills as I think he was a few years older. Not sure if that was his decision but I believe he's a cracking player.
Cheers
Brendan

johnp wrote:<delurk> I have something to add!

My one and only is a 330-12. I bought it new in 1995 from Sound Control in Edinburgh, after I inherited some money. I had wanted a 12 string for some time, and used a chorus pedal to try and fill my sound out with a 6 string (a Squier JV strat). I seem to recall trying out a 330-6 at the same time, but the 12 just sounded fuller.

For some additional gossip, Sound Control brought my guitar in from their Glasgow branch, where they always carried a Rickenbackers as stock. Apparently the guitar player from Wet Wet Wet was prone to wander in each time he was passing and buy another Ricky. I like to think I saved a guitar from a horrible fate...

Cheers
John

John, so after 2 1/2 years you finally decided to post??!!??!! Glad you delurked. I notice you didn't re-lurk so I hope you become a regular contributor here. Great story too. Welcome aboard.

johnallg wrote: ....so after 2 1/2 years you finally decided to post??!!??!! Glad you delurked. I notice you didn't re-lurk so I hope you become a regular contributor here. Great story too. Welcome aboard.

John ---- A warm welcome to you as a delurker !!
Ditto on the hope John A. expressed that you become a regular contributor here at the RRF !

8mileshigher wrote:

johnallg wrote: ....so after 2 1/2 years you finally decided to post??!!??!! Glad you delurked. I notice you didn't re-lurk so I hope you become a regular contributor here. Great story too. Welcome aboard.

John ---- A warm welcome to you as a delurker !!
Ditto on the hope John A. expressed that you become a regular contributor here at the RRF !

Hi Folks, thanks for the welcome! I registered for the forum when I added my guitar to the register... Completely failed to notice I'd never posted.

I'll go and find some more threads to post to...

Cheers
John

You have to catch up on over two years!!!




Welcome!

When I first wanted a RIc, you couldn't find one to save your life. This was just after the Jam arrived, in the late 70s.

So my first Ric was a 12, but only because it was all I could find -- at a guitar swap meet -- used, mint condition 360/12. Just couldn't pass up that deal. Still have it, too, and when I first got it, I played it strung as a 6, for awhile. Sounded AMAZING.

Mine was, but that's just the way it happened. I wanted one forever ... 30 years ... then it happened. She was a 370/12 and our eyes met across the Kijiji room. It might have been a 325 V58 in JG, but no, that's not the way it happened. It was 12-string all the way and it's all good. Then came the children....

still wrote:When I first wanted a RIc, you couldn't find one to save your life. This was just after the Jam arrived, in the late 70s.

God Bless Paul Weller and his pop art Rics. The whole late '70s Mod movement provided my raison d'etre.

I don't recall Weller ever using a Ric 12 on a Jam recording. I hope those albums will be re-mastered at some point. My albums all met the knackers and the CDs sound like ear-splitting harsh nether-region droppings.

My purchases were in this order:
1) 4001
2)360 WB/6
3) 381/12

Followed by four more six strings. . . would kinda like a WB/12 though. Had to pass on a JG recently. $ shortage.

Mine are going to be:
4001C64 Fireglo.
360/12C63 Fireglo.
Then a 325 (C58 or C64 which ever comes at a good price)

I hope you have the money to back those purchases up, Ivan!

paologregorio wrote:$ shortage.

The main reason I haven't bought anything guitar related this year!