My New (used) 660/12 AFG
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:17 pm
What an interesting turn of events. It wasn't long ago that I was completely opposed to gold guards and checkerboard binding, and felt that amber fireglo was a gaudy, too-yellow substitute for actual graceful aging. But a couple weeks ago, having been frustrated by my attempts to get my clubby fingers around the fretboard of my 360/12, I opened my mind to the 600 series, played around with a 660/12 at a local music shop (True Tone Music, to be exact, for you Angelenos) and this morning, to my delirious joy, my latest Rick appeared on my doorstep.
Did I say "latest"? I meant last. I can't see a reason to buy another Rick. I got my bass, my 6, and now my ideal 12. I got flamey fireglo. And I got noplace else to put another one if I got it!
It's an odd bird, my 660/12. It's been strung with the octave strings up, which I found intriguing (as someone who doesn't pick very deeply and often had problems getting the octave E and A strings on my 360/12 to speak loud and clear). I thought the previous owner might have altered the nut to allow for the backwards configuration, but on close, in-hand inspection, it does not appear so. (The low E-string, in particular, sits way up on top of the groove.) So I actually think that when I put my fresh Rick strings on it, I'll string it up standard and see what happens. Maybe I'll get used to it. Maybe I'll flip it back to the backwards configuration. Maybe I'll need a new nut cut altogether, if my layman's assessment is wrong. Seeing as how I'm going to keep this one for life, I'm not afraid of tailoring it a little bit to my needs -- assuming I can find a luthier that I trust.
But enough about substance. This guitar is so beautiful to look at, that it freakin scares me. The amber in the inlays is much more vibrant that it appears in its photos -- something that put me off a little, at first. (Like, how many times have I decided never again to buy a guitar without seeing it in person -- and playing it -- first?) But by the end of the morning, its DNA had merged with mine and filled me with a deep and unconditional passion. It's light and shiny and...and...and dammit, I'm at work and can't plug it in until tonight!
Did I say "latest"? I meant last. I can't see a reason to buy another Rick. I got my bass, my 6, and now my ideal 12. I got flamey fireglo. And I got noplace else to put another one if I got it!
It's an odd bird, my 660/12. It's been strung with the octave strings up, which I found intriguing (as someone who doesn't pick very deeply and often had problems getting the octave E and A strings on my 360/12 to speak loud and clear). I thought the previous owner might have altered the nut to allow for the backwards configuration, but on close, in-hand inspection, it does not appear so. (The low E-string, in particular, sits way up on top of the groove.) So I actually think that when I put my fresh Rick strings on it, I'll string it up standard and see what happens. Maybe I'll get used to it. Maybe I'll flip it back to the backwards configuration. Maybe I'll need a new nut cut altogether, if my layman's assessment is wrong. Seeing as how I'm going to keep this one for life, I'm not afraid of tailoring it a little bit to my needs -- assuming I can find a luthier that I trust.
But enough about substance. This guitar is so beautiful to look at, that it freakin scares me. The amber in the inlays is much more vibrant that it appears in its photos -- something that put me off a little, at first. (Like, how many times have I decided never again to buy a guitar without seeing it in person -- and playing it -- first?) But by the end of the morning, its DNA had merged with mine and filled me with a deep and unconditional passion. It's light and shiny and...and...and dammit, I'm at work and can't plug it in until tonight!
