Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am seriously considering taking the plunge on a 620-12 tomorrow. It isn't in a shop
where I can pick it up and play it. Dilemma.....

Has anybody got comments on a comparison between a 330-12 and a 620-12?

I have played a 330-12 and, no insult to the owner, that was the worst 12 string
I have ever picked up in my life. It was useless. Horrible. I couldn't get on with the
neckwidth on the 330-12 at all.

Is the 620-12 better for neckwidth and string spacing? I need something better!
I rely on your expert advice!!

Thank you.

Sorry, the 330 and the 620 have the same neck width. If you want a wider neck, you'll have to go with a 660.

Thanks very much for that - much appreciated - I will hopefully have the chance to
try a 620-12 tomorrow and see if it meets requirements.

12stringbassist wrote:I am seriously considering taking the plunge on a 620-12 tomorrow. It isn't in a shop
where I can pick it up and play it. Dilemma.....

Has anybody got comments on a comparison between a 330-12 and a 620-12?

I have played a 330-12 and, no insult to the owner, that was the worst 12 string
I have ever picked up in my life. It was useless. Horrible. I couldn't get on with the
neckwidth on the 330-12 at all.

Is the 620-12 better for neckwidth and string spacing? I need something better!
I rely on your expert advice!!

Thank you.

I have both, so I can comment. Firstly, I am wondering if the 330/12 you played was a unit produced before Ric changed the string spacing. My 620/12 was purchased new in 2001 by yours truly, and in stock form it was a bear to play. I had Chris Berkov [a Bay Area luthier used by many professionals] make a new nut with wider string spacing and do a proper set-up, that made a difference.

My 330/12 is a 2007 model with the newer nut/wider string spacing stock from Ric. The 330 is easier to play open chords, but the 620/12 is better on barre chords. Both have been set-up by a pro and play well. Each has its own personality.

Ric 12s usually require some set-up work to play well, though not always. Please bear that in mind when shopping for that new Ric.

Good luck,

JR

Thanks.

I went into Manchester and got a great deal on this little baby...

Sweet.

So, how does it play?

It's very nice to play. The action is nice and low. I am still getting ridges on my
fingertips, as I normally play bass. Nice clear sound.

The thing I am having trouble getting used to is the way the strings go to
the various tuners on the headstock - never seen anything like that before!!!
Confusion reigns and it is probably very funny watching me trying to fine tune.
I am going to have to write them down 'til it sinks in. Thank God it's seemingly
very stable.

Jangletastic.

12stringbassist wrote:It's very nice to play. The action is nice and low. I am still getting ridges on my
fingertips, as I normally play bass. Nice clear sound.

The thing I am having trouble getting used to is the way the strings go to
the various tuners on the headstock - never seen anything like that before!!!
Confusion reigns and it is probably very funny watching me trying to fine tune.
I am going to have to write them down 'til it sinks in. Thank God it's seemingly
very stable.

Jangletastic.

Glad you got it and seem happy... An easy way to remember which is which is that on the top side of the head, the main strings have tuners mounted conventionally, and the octave string tuners have "classical sytle" mountings... it is just the opposite on the lower side of the head. It becomes second nature after a while. Remember, George Harrison found this arrangement "easier" than the six to a side set-up.

JR

New 620 in home studio situation!!!

12stringbassist wrote:I have played a 330-12 and, no insult to the owner, that was the worst 12 string
I have ever picked up in my life. It was useless. Horrible. I couldn't get on with the
neckwidth on the 330-12 at all.

I can only assume that the 330 you played had a terrible setup... It has the same neck width than the 620 that you are very happy with. As mentioned before Rickenbacker 12-strings need a good adjustment. Congratulations, this 620/12 looks great!

It's hard to compare ric necks across model lines IMO. I have seen and felt wide variations between different 360/12s, 360s and 330s, let alone ric basses! I had a 4003 with a mammoth neck, and I've played ones with nice slim necks... different strokes for different folks...

One thing I do to make my 360/12 easier to play, is to replace the .10s with .09s and the .12s with .11s, and the D upper octave with a .10.

The jangle is the same, but the pressure needed to play is much less!