Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I own a 360/12 MG and am considering a trade for a 330/12 FG. Is the only difference between these 2 guitars the top countour and the fretboard inlays, or is there more to it? Does anybody have any preferences or opinions when it comes to these to models? Let me know what you think.

And I know the mono/stereo output is different, but I only ever use the mono.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=330/12Ric. 330 12 string

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

Notice the different fretboard inlays, the rounded top contour on the 360 vs. the more square contours of the 330.


JimK

I know the obvious physical differences. I'm more concerned about any tonal differences. I know all guitars differ from axe to axe, but do 330s and 360s basically have the same tone? Also, do the necks feel the same? Those are the two things I should have originally asked.

brianeharmonjr wrote:I know the obvious physical differences. I'm more concerned about any tonal differences. I know all guitars differ from axe to axe, but do 330s and 360s basically have the same tone? Also, do the necks feel the same? Those are the two things I should have originally asked.

Yes and yes, unless you're comparing guitars from different years. If you took a brand new 330/12 and a brand new 360/12, set up identically, I doubt you'd find any tonal differences or playing differences.

There is the natural guitar-to-guitar differences that occur normally, even within the same model and year. Then you add the shape of the top sheet difference between the two models. It is my belief that there is a small amount of difference in the vibration of the top of a 330 vs. a 360 that favors a 330- but that isn't enough to make me prefer a 330 over a 360. I think the stereo out, comfort and styling of the 360 win for me.

Playability, until quite recently, was a little different between the two models, as the string spacing on the 360/12 was a tad narrower at the nut to accomodate the neck binding. Now 360/12s and 330/12s come with the same (wider) nut spacing, so on brand-new or very recently built 12-strings this will be a non-issue.

Well, I think I might do the swap. I've been offered the 330/12 FG + $100 for my 360/12 MG. I'll let you guys no if it happens. Thanks for all the help.

firstbassman wrote:Just out of curiosity...
If everyone is saying the guitars are the same - why bother switching?

Looks?

Yeah, a little bit of contouring makes a big difference to the looks of these guitars. To my eye, the bat-winged 330 body shape is a wilder looking instrument (think rock 'n' roll) while the 360 new style is a little more subdued (think folk-rock).

I'd heard that the top of the 330 resonates different/better than a 360, and, that there was more volume inside a 330 giving it a different/better sound... Then again, some people can hear the grass grow.

As for looks, I've always preferred the 360, but to each his/her own...

Let us know and good luck.

JKC

Hey! Who you callin' strange? I resemble that remark. May the bees of a thousand hives infest your single-coils! Back when I had my toilet-seat-topped 360 and 360/12 the rounded top was quite comfortable on the arm, but the look of those dull, rounded-down horns just bugged me (somehow they always reminded me of amputated stumps - gross, yes, but that's what once came to mind and I've never been able to shake the thought) so I went the WB and 330 direction instead. The 330 body seems to be a little bit more lively-feeling and slightly more resonant when I play it than my old rounded 360/12 was. Not really enough to make me want one over the other, but you can feel it when you play (at least with the ones I've owned). Once amped, the sound is about the same and whichever one has newer strings seems to have the edge.

When I originally got the 360/12, it was because I wanted a Ric 12er and it was the only one I could find in stock. Now that I have a couple more Ric's, I'd like to get a different one. Really, it kinda comes down to color. The mapleglo looks great, but what I really wanted from the start was a fireglo. And now that I've come to know more about Ric's, I'd really like to get a midnite blue or a COY. I recently acquired a 620 in turquoise, and it really got me GASing for some different colors. So, I want to get a Ric 12er in another color and this trade came about, but having no experience with a 330/12, I wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be much different in feel and sound. I also have a '80 4001 in jetglo that I'd love to swap out for a newer 4003 in another color, not because I don't like the bass, but I just don't care much for black guitars. I got a good deal on it, and that's why I bought it, but I'd rather have it in a different color. It may be a bit shallow, but I'm sure some of you have gone through a similar situation.