Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been reading all I can to bring me up to speed before I go on a serious quest for a 12 string. I'm thinking that I want the hollowbody tone.

There were only two Rics (a six and a 12, both with old black strings) at my local GC to test drive and both were almost unplayable due to lack of setup. The 12 string did confirm my fears about the narrow neck. Even with months of practice, I don't think I could play clean chords on this guitar.

I've read some very good things about Mark's mod but before I spend $1000+ on a guitar I really need to know that I can play the damn thing. You guys that have done the mod please talk to me. I'd also like to know what to expect $$$ to make a hollowbody playable.

Unless youre totally certain that you prefer the tone of the hollow body, you should seriously consider the 660/12 strung with Pyramid flats.

The wider neck and extra string spacing, and the 12 saddle bridge are all right there from the get go. When set up properly it plays like butter, with super low action and plenty of jangle and sustain with the hard body. Sounds just as good... maybe even better than the hollow bodies. Im into the Heartbreakers as well and this guitar nails their sound straight into the amp. You wont need any effects.

If I currently owned a 300 series 12 string though, I would surely go with Mark's mods. But as others have already mentioned, it kinda makes more sense to go for the 660/12.

hmmmm... in Montezuma Brown maybe ?

I'd also e-mail Mark directly as he can tell you exactly what he would modify on your 12 string guitar, as well as give you the price for his work.

I think the narrow neck thing is over played. Yes, the neck is a touch narrow but if I haven't played one (of my two) recently, I trip over my fingers for 5 or 10 minutes and then its no big deal.

Thanks so much for the words and advice. I feel a little like a pin ball. Today I think the 660's the answer then tomorrow I hear some old Byrds or Beatles and I'm back to the hollowbody.
It's a good problem to have but a problem none the less.

There's one thing that I know for absolute sure, Ive got to have one of these things.

David...good advice, thanks.
Cory...thanks, do you know where I can find
Mark's email address?
Gary...I'm glad that you're able to play your
guitars. I have large hands and I can't
do it so I'm trying to find a solution.

I'm certainly not knocking Mark's nut mod, but I just did a quick measure on my 360/12 and double-checked on the 370/12. There is about 0.1875" of "un-used" fretboard on either side (about an eighth on the bass side and a sixthteenth on the treble side - you can't go all the way out because the fret ends are rounded so, I've only measured additional good fret area) - take that and divide it by 5 and you end up with a little more than 1/32nd inch additional space BETWEEN each string pair. It actually divides out to 0.038"

Now, I'm not saying that that won't help - but let's remember - you don't get a wider fretboard.

The width at the nut is 1.625" on both of my RIC 12's

My Gretsch 6120 is 1.6875" (a sixteenth wider)

The width on my Martin 12 is 1.875" or a full quarter inch wider!!

If you need the landscape, the nut mod isn't going to do it for you!!

Jim Muirhead wrote in part "I've read some very good things about Mark's mod but before I spend $1000+ on a guitar I really need to know that I can play the damn thing"

The mod worked fine for me.on 360/12...done to Marks specs herein OZ.. and I think there is still a little more room .

I cant recall Marks price but I think it may have been around $100 US .Im sure someone will correct me. I got it done locally for A$50 and worth every penny.
Try a 370 or 360 /6 and see how that feels.It should give you some idea.If the necks too narrow of the 6 string then modding the 12 isnt going to be much help

The 12 string spacing added some extra space for me on my 450/12 and I wouldn't hesitate recommending the procedure. I also find that my solid body 450/12 is quite capable of reproducing the 12 string sound of the Beatles and other British Invasion groups. Plugged in it is very difficult to tell the difference especially through a Vox AC-30.

While not everyone needs a complete refretting of their Rick, this mod of Marks' is particularly great when a total refret is done, as the frets can be run right out to the edge of the fingerboard, and then the wider nut spacing is really apparent.But saving that, it still is a good idea if you want to try to gain whatever extra space is available.I had him do it to an old early '65 360-12 about 20 years ago, and everyone who played it when I got it back commented, "Wow, I usually hate Ricks and their skinny necks with the cramped fingering, but this one is killer,what'd you do?"My short reply is, nearly any Rick is a diamond in the rough, waiting to be developed to it's full potential.

Peter: Perhaps you could post Mark's e-mail address for Jim? I seem to have lost it.

Don said:"...nearly any Rick is a diamond in the rough, waiting to be developed to it's full potential."

Wow Don, that's got to be one of the best "Rick sayings" I have ever heard. Right on!

...And many are fairly well polished right off the rack.My comments are actually referencing battle worn 60s models that needed a Lot of TLC, and plastic[literally] surgery and whatever.But my time was never wasted when getting an abused
Rick back to snuff again.Nothing like a totally tricked out Rickenbacker.Especially ones others gave up for dead...

I don't think that's the correct e-mail address...

Try [email protected]