Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm new to this forum. Bear with me. Also put this question in the general section.

I've been playing guitar for 30 years now - everything but a Rickenbacker. But now it's time and I want to make sure I make the right choice. I suppose more than anything I want to be able to re-create that 60's Byrds sound.

Right now I'm looking at getting a 360/12 or a 370/12. My questions: What is the purpose (or effect) of the third pickup on the 370/12? What is the overall difference in the sound between the 360 and 370 as a result of that pickup? And does that third pickup get in the way of picking?

Any help on this will be appreciated!

I just got a lefty 340. All I can tell you of interest right now is that the neck and middle pickups are wired together. Pickup choices are Bridge, All, Middle+Neck. Don't know if this applies to the 370 tho'.

yes..the 370 is wired the same way...altho it can be re-wired so that the middle position blender becames a volume control for the third pickup..and allows it to be mixed in with any of the other positions. I have a strat wired that way and it's very versitle..my 370-12 is wired stock however..

Don: Unless you are interested in rewiring the 370, I would go with the 360. Rewired, the 370 is very versatile, however, kept stock I suspect you will be using the switch in the down position most of the time. Also, some owners claim that the middle pickup cramps their picking style to some extent.

When I was shopping for my 12 string I swaped e-mails with Roger McGuinn asking him the same questions. He said that he only used the treble pick up and the others were just for looks! I got a 360-12 and never looked back.