2003 Model 1993 SPC - how does it feel?

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sowhat
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2003 Model 1993 SPC - how does it feel?

Post by sowhat »

Hello. I'm trying to translate Peter's article about this model for Russian readers (kind of at his own request 8-), and to make the article more representative, i'd like to add the opinions of the owners (or ones who have played it). So can you give any comments - how does it feel to hold this 12-string beauty in your hands? How's the sound in your opinion? Can you tell me, please?
The original article is here: http://www.rickresource.com/rrp/1993SPC.html
And please, if you mind your name/location being indicated after your comment in the article, just let me know, and no name/location would be indicated, i promise.
Thanks in advance,
Sheena.
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Post by admin »

Sheena: I think that it is pertinent to discuss 12 string Rickenbackers in general when it comes to this article, so other models including the models 360/12, 370/12 and 360/12V64, for example among others would be appropriate.

I'll add that a well set-up Rickenbacker 12 string plays almost as easily as a six string.
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Post by sowhat »

I've tried a 12-string (acoustic) once, Peter, it wasn't Rickenbacker, but the sound is unbelievable! The only problem (for me) was... no offence meant, of course, and it was a Russian guitar of course... too many strings... tried to imagine how much time it takes to tune it... But there are a lot of people who prefer 12-strings here (but in most cases to play chords/rhythm only), so i think it might be interesting...
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Post by atomic_punk »

How about a 12-string BASS? Image They DO sound incredible....Image
Image
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Post by nattiep »

Smartass... Image
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Yeah, I got one of those from Rob F. But learning to play just upstrokes is killing me, so I'm up for reversing the bass strings...soon...
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Post by nattiep »

Hehe... that bass would suit me fine.. as a finger player I'm all upstrokes! Although I do use an up and down strum with my index finger from time to time.
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Post by atomic_punk »

Sheena, I really didnt mean to hijack your thread....really, I didn't....just making a funny Image

Paul, it takes some practice, but for me, the trick is picking the bass string out of the 3 strings, or just playing them all at once. Once you get used to it, it's almost second nature. REALLY hard on the finger, Nate. (picking-wise).

OK, Let's get back to the topic at hand...please, any 12-string RICKENBACKER owners wanna talk about their 12's?
"They make great f***'n basses". - Lemmy, NAMM 2009
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Post by nattiep »

To go off topic again.. Heheheh. How hard? Would it rip apart my fingers a` la Brian Crisman? Image
I'm sure it'd destroy my fingernail too.
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Post by sowhat »

Cool! I love it when people go off topic, Steve, albeit the moderators may not always enjoy it...
12-string bass is really SOMETHING! Tripled strings, right? Aye... havta show it to my bass playin' friends... 8-)
Uh... if no comment on the model in question follows, i'd probably have to write a comment about 12-strings & general situation with Rickenbackers in Russia myself... that'd be a disaster, believe me... 8-)
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Post by atomic_punk »

Well, Brian's "incident" occurred while playing his s8, so you be the judge. Image I've always played that one with a pick! Image

But.....we wanna hear from the 12-string guitar players here! I've had several non-Ric acoustic 12-strings, love 'em, mostly Ovations, though.
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Post by sowhat »

Steve: 8-) many thanks for tryin' to turn the guys in right direction 8-) cool, used to do it (or to try at least) at the third section from the bottom... 8-)
ANY 12-STRING RICKENBACKER GUITAR PLAYERS HERE?! HELP THE "BULLET-IN-THE-HEAD" PLEASE!
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Post by admin »

Sheena: The Rickenbacker 12 string guitar plays like butter and has a jangly chime that is the benchmark against which all other 12 strings are judged.

The action is great and it plays effortlessly. As a result it is a great instrument for lead guitar riffs as George Harrison and Roger McGuinn have demonstrated over the years. It is highly playable all the way up the neck. As such, it is not only a rhythm instrument as you have described but perfect for soloing.

Again, my two cents.
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Post by lshaia »

Sheena, I'll give it a whack, but bear in mind that I'm more of a bass player so there are many folks here who are much better qualified to address this.

I have a 330/12, which I purchased last year:
Image
It's what some would consider to be the classic Ric 12, no binding or fancy fretboard inlays, a semi hollow body with a single "cat's eye" hole, two vintage style "toaster" pickups, and five knobs.

I'm not sure if you want a description of the guitar's features or my impressions of it, so I'll opt for brevity by just giving you my impressions.

First, the sound has a lovely chimey quality when strummed or picked; it is strung differently than other 12s in that the octave strings are below the main string, which means (for me) that maximum jangle is achieved with pick upstrokes. Second, the headstock arrangement is really cool in that there is a combination of standard tuners and classical tuners rather than the traditional six in a line system used on other 12s; it takes some getting used to, but it is very efficient. Next, as Peter said the playability of the individual pairs of strings is really easy, like a six string electric, but in honesty I have to tell you that the neck is pretty narrow (1 5/8" compared to 1 3/4" on my Takamine acoustic 12), so much so that I find it difficult to play without a lot of warming up. This is my opinion, not meant to be a criticism. Of course, it's a Ric, so the finish on mine is flawless.

Hope this helps.
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Post by sowhat »

Lindsay, Peter, thank you a lot. The only thing that bothers me though... i'm afraid the article might turn out to be a piece of sheer ad in the end... 8-)
Good news for you Peter, BTW. My dad always told me: "Do not trust the web", and he's absolutely right. I visited "Maestro" 2day (huntin' for my baby Fender Telecoustic who now sleeps peacefully in my room waiting for my hugs... i know now what did you mean when you said "plays like butter"! 8-) and talked to the shop assistant about Rickenbackers. He said that the store does sell Rickenbackers, there's not too many of them but they sell well despite "steep" prices (okay, that's a music store for professionals, must add). I've even seen two - not guitars, 330 has been sold recently, - basses. Didn't touch them though, they do not let you touch them if you're not buying, cannot say which models, since they were in the upper row, and i'm small and weak eyesight, but one of them was 8-string. Sorry no photos because a) taking pictures is not allowed in this shop; b) i have no camera at all in fact... 8-) I suggest Rickenbackers here are bought by real professionals, and i don't have one among my friends.
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