Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I remember seeing a picture of a "Fantasy Rick"
620 Doubleneck. It looked fantastic. I own one of each 6 string and a twelve. What's to stop me from transforming these two instruments into a doubleneck?

Lack of money and/or time?

Good point.

check out the pic here:
http://www.homestead.com/aurs/fricks.html

With the triple pickups, wouldn't it be a 630 doubleneck (620+10)?

Hey Charlie, I have been thinking of the "6020" doubleneck lately, and thought I'd pass along a thought or two.

First, I'm thinking that two 620 bodies could be spliced together, but that a third piece of wood would be necessary to join them because of the different shapes of the upper and lower bouts. This will, of course, necessitate a refinish - then again, if one splices guitars of different colors, what's a little wood between going to do to the overall appearance, sans refinish?

Second, instead of splicing together two righties, how about splicing a righty on top and a lefty on the bottom? It would make for one strangely shaped body, but the cuts could be done for a precise match (mirror images, top and bottom). Of course, the lefty would have to have the nut switched around etc. to convert it to a righty.

Third, the 362 has the 12-string neck on top - is this the better arrangment for the two necks?

Any input and comment (from anyone) would be appreciated. I am seriously contemplating taking on such a project, figuring it'll be around $1500+ for both guitars (620/6 and 620/12), plus some more for an extra switch, custom pickguard, etc., which is still cheaper than $4995 for a 362 (Mike Parks has a white one for that price).

Isn't Petty holding a double neck Ric in the Full Moon Fever CD booklet? Who makes 6/12 doubles? Only Gibson? I'd say there was a reasonable market for them, especially for a company well known for it's 12 strings.

I agree whole-heartedly, Jerry. I've not seen that CD booklet - any Forumers have it and can post a picture?

By the way, I have thought that, if I do this project and it works out well, maybe I can do it as a service, sort of like the 5-string bass conversion thing... the operational words being "if it works"!

The better pic of TP with his 362/12JG is on the back cover of Hard Promises.

Gary:
I like your idea of a lefty/righty splice. The only problem I can forsee would be the placement of pickguards and control knobs due to the cavities.
As a suggestion, make photocopies of some RIC guitar photos, in particular the models you mention. Then pretend you are carrying out the modifications you specify to the guitars in the photocopies (ie cutting and splicing). This could give you some visual clues as to what to expect during the real modification process.

An excellent suggestion, Edmond! And I concur with your thoughts about the location of the controls being problematic - covering an existing cavity is one thing, but routing a new one is another matter (and possibly a can of worms) entirely) on a left+right splice.

Is this a serious do-able thing? I'd love to stick my 660/12 to a 660/6.

The full moon fever CD is a veritable Rick-fest...330 on the cover, aforementioned double neck inside, a 660 (?) also inside, a drawing of a Rickenbacker TRC logo affixed to his name and a thanks to "the gang at Rickenbacker" in the credits.

Jerry, at least to me, it's a serious consideration.

I have yet to look carefully over my 620 FG and take accurate measurements to check whether it is physically possible, and what potential pitfalls might be present, but I am seriously thinking about it. I took a picture of my 620 FG and made a crude splice of a left- and right-side 'partial guitar' for an approximation:



By the way, the 620 FG used in the picture will not be used for this project. In fact, I am looking for used 620s in Jetglo as it would be easiest to touch up that finish after the splice (especially if I have to use a piece of wood as a spacer between the two bodies). Being that I just bought a new car (as yet undelivered), I have put off buying the guitars until later, but I am keeping my eyes open for any that might crop up. Of course, I would prefer non-mint ones!

And with regard to the "Why do this?" aspect, as I alluded to earlier in the thread, it's a lower-cost alternative to buying a 362.

When/if I do the chopping, maybe I'll videotape it for inclusion in a "Rickenbacker Chamber of Horrors"...

Hey! I just noticed that my last post was #362 - and I mentioned a 362 in it!

Ah, to be Jung at heart...

A Carl interfere with your focus. I can well imagine that it will difficult to afford both purchases.