Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

a friend of mind said he's selling his fireglo 360/12V64 for $2,000 Canadian
(is this a good price ? ...plays/looks beautiful, but has a few nicks on it)
...anyway, since i already have a 360/12WB and was thinking of getting a 330/6,
which are $1500-$1600 + 14% tax up here in Toronto. I thought, what if i just
pay the extra $$$ for this V64 and removed the adjacent pair to make a 6 string
out of it ? ...i'm guessing i'd probably have to make a truss adjustment.
...comments ?

The tuners without strings may rattle. To center the strings a new nut and bridge would be required.

You can buy a new 330/6 in the Detroit area for about $1100 US then pay tax as you go back. It may be cheaper for you that way.

I've played my 12-string as a 6-string a few times because that's how it was strung when I bought it. It can feel a bit funny because of the spacing if you use the main set of tuners for the strings. If you string it so that the three highest use the slotted set of tuners the spacing feels more normal but there is a gap at the treble end of the fingerboard.

I wouldn't do it if I wanted only a 6-string and it was going to be used a lot that way, but if you have other Rick sixes it may be worth it to have the option of a 12-string always at hand. I've always liked 330s or double bound 360s better than the standard version of the 360.

I've seen people play 12's as 6's, but with 6 of the tuning keys removed. I assumed this was to prevent any buzzing. More hassle than it's worth, IMO.
If you want a 330/6, buy one from the states on eBay, or even from a dealer in the US. I was recently quoted a price on a 330/12 from a US dealer that worked out to less than Cdn$1500 thanks to the exchange rate. There is no duty on them thanks to NAFTA.
I paid around $1200 (+ tax) for a used 330/6 about 6 months ago in a local shop, so that is another option.

thanks for the suggestions !

Gordon: In my view, a used Rickenbacker is the way to go. It also helps when it comes to getting a receipt as the reduced cost effectively reduces the 15% you will pay at the border.