Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

im in the market for a 12 string and i wanted to hear some opinions on the difference between a 350 12 string vs. a 381? or how about hi-gains vs. toaster for the 12 strings. any other model suggestions?

i really have my eye on a 350/12V63 liverpool.

i really would like to get that "ticket to ride" sound.

Wasn't it Harrisons' 360 on that particular song?

Wim, i'm sure if Harrison's 360 was available for purchase, Mike would have bought it by now.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=360/12C63

this one then.

what I meant was the 12 string sound that is to be heard on that song was the 360. I understood Lennon almost never used his 12 string.

Mike: There is some debate to which Rickenbacker twelve-string was used to record 'Ticket To Ride'. Some think it was George's 360/12 OS and others think it was John's 325/12. A 350/12V63 should pretty much nail that sound either way. And the full scale neck on the 350/12 would sure beat trying to play and tune a 325/12. I've never owned a 325/12, but I have a 360/12V64, a 370/12, a 450/12, and a 620/12.

I used to have several 12's, but my 360V64 is the best sounding guitar that I have EVER owned. It's a 1990 model, so has quite powerful toasters in it, but the sound is pure heaven...nectar...whatever the greatest word is to describe the greatest sound!

I have a 6 string 350V63 which I love (all be it with a hi-gain in the bridge), but never heard a 12...I'd like to!

Well, first of all, let's clarify the differences between the bodies on the models Mike asked about. The 350 looks solid, but it's not. And the 381 has the slash hole and has the heavily carved body edges. Even though the pickups might be the exact same (depending...), we're talking about completely different types of guitars here.

And neither one will *eactly* get the "Ticket To Ride" sound, IMO.

I'm admitting that I don't know for sure if Lennon used his 350/12 on many songs at all (probably only one), but the classic Beatles 12 string sound was George using his 360/12. Call it WB or OS or whatever...

To me, the v64 comes really close to that sound, as does/will the c63 version too. Thing is, just use whatever you've got (or can get) and it'll be good enough.

I think that Steve is probably right. I saw a Beatles tribute band not long ago (on the same bill as my band) & one of the guitarists used a 350, complete with higains & 24 fret neck. I admit that I am not a Beatles fanatic, but the sound seemed to be pure authentic 60's through his AC30 to me. I found it odd that those same type of pickups were played through my Marshall & sounded total contemporary rock. Proof that Rickenbackers are far more versatile than generally given credit for!

My 360V64-12 is great, but in truth, I have had a couple of standard 330-12's that were so close, as to make little difference.

Mike I'm in the same boat as you. I like the three pickup Ric twelves. So its either a 350/12 Liverpool in Jetglo or one of those 370/12's in Fireglo.
I'm leaning towards the 350. It just looks so cool. But I have a 360/6 and it has a lot of acoustic resonance and I don'nt know if the 350 could come near that or not?

the 350 is a semihollow? thats interesting. does it have hollowed out chambers similar to a gretsch jet? does it has a much different sound than the 660?

thanks

Yes... common ground exists, of course, but the 350 and 660 are very different. Attack, response, resonance, decay, sustain, and all those other musical terms you can think of are different between these models.

My ears are always happiest with semi-hollow and hollowbody guitars. 600 series Rics sound great but 300 series Rics sound like Rics -and ultimately ME.

You can't go wrong either way. The 350 has more mojo though.

The 350 does look cool. I have just wondered if it still has the hollow body overtones plugged in and unplugged.
Not the same of course but as and example. I have three Violin basses. One is a true hollow body with real F holes.
The other two are not but they are hollow inside with just a single small wooden block under the bridge. They still have a more woody tone thru and amp than a solid body bass does and they are louder and more woody without and amp too. Of course the F hole one is bit louder with out and amp but not by much.
I love the three pickup Ric twelves too with toasters of course in a twelve. So its either a 350 in Jetglo or a 370 in Fireglo.
Right now on sheer looks its the 350. Hard to beat that one for looks.

Howdy,
I'd just like to chime in with my 2 cents worth about Rickenbacker 12's. I had a 330/12 which was somewhat disappointing tonally. Lacked for sustain and treble compared to my favorite 60's recordings.
Two years ago i acquired a used 620/12 and it comes noticeably closer to those vintage sounds I like, even though it's solid! FWIW, Roger McGuinn used compression and a treble booster with his 360/12. My little 620 already has a little more natural treble and sustain than a 330 for sure. YMMV.

Eggman

yeah, my 660/6 has almost a hollow body gretsch like tone and its as solid as a guitar can be. neck thru and everything. i really love the look of the 350 too but i cant deal with the slim neck. the 660s neck is much easier for me to play and i think the wider neck just has a very cool look to it too.