Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,
This question has probably been asked several times before, but here goes : -
Is there a Rickenbacker 12 string model with a wider fret board than a standard 330-12 / 360-12?

I did buy a 330-12 many years ago and found to my absolute horror that the fret board felt to small with 12 strings on (it felt fine with 6 on) so after 3 or 4 months of struggling with this 330 I eventually sold it... and it went taking with it one of my childhood dreams.
I now own a '94 330-6FG, a '96 360-6MG and an '08 330-6MG.
I have other 6 string guitars and the 12 string I use is a Burns Double Six, a huge guitar that weighs a ton and it doesn't really nail the 60' Mersey Sound or a decent Byrds sound.
Anyway, back to the original question before I started rambling... Is there a Ric-12 model with a wider fret board than a standard 330/360?

Thanks in advance
G

By the way, if the Avatar is a bit scary or disturbs anyone with a fear of Clowns (can't remember what that fear is called just now, I must look it up) then I can soon change it.

Welcome, Gareth!

The Model 660/12 has a slightly wider fretboard (44.45 mm (1 3/4'') at the nut, according to the specs at the RIC factory site) that is definitely "roomier" than the 330/12 or 360/12.

The_Running_Man wrote:... By the way, if the Avatar is a bit scary or disturbs anyone with a fear of Clowns (can't remember what that fear is called just now, I must look it up) then I can soon change it.

You obviously haven't yet seen enough of the other avatars ...

Yes, the 550/12 has a fretboard width of 1.75" at the nut and 2.107" at the twelfth fret, which is wider than the 330/12 or 360/12.

Welcome, Gareth!

The 660/12 will definitely feel roomy, so you should be happy with it. BTW, Kitty Kat can take out the clown, no problem!

I'm with beatlefreak, go with the 550/12. But they are very, very rare .

Obvious typo...

Thanks for ther info and the welcome, much appreciated.

What are the "sonic" (for want of a better word) differences between a 330/360 style semi-hollow 12 string and a 660-12?
... or the very rare 550-12

Thanks
G

The 660/12, being a solid body, will sound very different acoustically from the semi hollow 330/12. Electrically, there may be some difference, but it will be small. The biggest difference would be in the pickups - Single coil hi-gains on the 330/12, and toasters on the 660/12.

beatlefreak wrote:The biggest difference would be in the pickups - Single coil hi-gains on the 330/12, and toasters on the 660/12.

Hopefully I will be getting a pair of 7K4 scatter-wound Toasters anytime soon for one of my guitars (not sure which one will get them yet).

Were there any Signature semi-hollow models made with wider fretboards?
I seem to recall hearing in the dim and distant past that one of them was made with a wider fretboard... or did I dream it?...
I probably dreamt it...
its my age you know...
they said it would happen...


Cheers
G

doctorwho wrote:

The_Running_Man wrote:... By the way, if the Avatar is a bit scary or disturbs anyone with a fear of Clowns (can't remember what that fear is called just now, I must look it up) then I can soon change it.

You obviously haven't yet seen enough of the other avatars ...

Coulrophobia... that's the fear of clowns. There you go, I said I'd look it up.

Cheers
G

A (meaning "one") 360/12 with a wide neck apparently does exist:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=389065

The thread contains a reference to another believed-to-exist one but there is no photographic evidence.

The 380L has a wide neck but does not come in a 12-string version. Others have converted 6-string guitars into 12-string guitars, though, so it could be done if you were determined enough ...

The thread contains a reference to another believed-to-exist one but there is no photographic evidence.

I'll submit this to the jury as "Relevant evidence" as defined by the Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 401; all pictured have a >= 44.45 mm (1 3/4'') neck width and are semi-hollows: The defense rests.

Impressive!!!

Is there a story behind each of the three 12-strings?

The_Running_Man wrote: Were there any Signature semi-hollow models made with wider fretboards?

The RCA 12 string guitars were the prototypes of the 380 L Laguna, so I guess they had the wider neck as well; they were custom made for the RCA record company . About two years ago one showed up on ebay.
Recently I could get a Laguna without the PZ option for a reasonable price in Amsterdam . These days a luthier here in Munich is converting it to 12. No finish repairing neccessary , as it's all natural. I will post pics here when it's done. Can't wait...
Look here..
http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/view ... 50#p212850.

jsm610 wrote: I'll submit this to the jury as "Relevant evidence" as defined by the Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 401; all pictured have a >= 44.45 mm (1 3/4'') neck width and are semi-hollows:

wide-necks.jpg

The defense rests.

They do exist, I didn't dream it.......
Right, where or how do you come by one of these?

Cheers
G