Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought a 2004 370 12 string in Maple Glow in unplayed condition. Should be here on Monday.
A little backstory:
In 1994, I bought a new 360/12 FG-back in the days when you could walk in and buy one off the wall. I was in a 60's cover band, and that thing sounded awesome. I never noticed the narrow nut width until someone pointed it out to me, and it got inside my head and I could never play it cleanly again. Crazy, I know, but...
The band broke up in '99, and shortly after that all my amps were stolen out of storage, In a fit of rage, I sold all my electric guitars, and bought Martins and banjos, and played strictly acoustic for several years. I gradually got the urge to play the electric 12 again, and purchased a progression of ever more expensive guitars to fill the void, while having a wider neck. After a couple thousand dollars in failed guitars and mods, I've come to the conclusion that the only thing that sounds like a Rickenbacker is a Rickenbacker. So here we are.
I'm going to conquer this thing. I am. I may cut a wider nut to maximize the spacing, but I will persevere. Wish me luck, and "pictures to follow".
New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
Congrats on your new guitar! One possible solution is to refret the neck with frets that go over the neck binding. Combining this with a nut reccut to bring the string pairs closer together, and spaced out on the slightly wider frets, can yield good results. Good luck!
Great Ramp In My Opinion.
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
this question relates to another current thread.. comparing the 330/12 to the 360/12
Since they have the same width nut.. but the 360 has binding..
are the frets slightly less wide on the 360.. ( as they don't go over the binding )
and are the frets slightly wider on the 330.. going to the edge of the fretboard. which has NO binding.?
if so.. getting a custom nut ( tighter pairs. .more space between pairs ) might be able to utilize ALL the fretboard width much cheaper than: without having to incorporate a refret!
Also note: I have a 2000 620/12 that I can barely play.. and a friend has a 2009 360/12 that I can play EASILY.. Theoretically: same size nut/neck width:
and have learned that RIC changed the way they cut nut in 2005.. tightening the pairs.. and spreading them out a bit more.
so : Even the CURRENT PRODUCTION 12 string nut.. might make enough difference for you... let alone the possibility of a custom cut 12 string nut! ( without having to refret - that would be a last resort ! )
Keep us posted with your guitar!
Mark
Since they have the same width nut.. but the 360 has binding..
are the frets slightly less wide on the 360.. ( as they don't go over the binding )
and are the frets slightly wider on the 330.. going to the edge of the fretboard. which has NO binding.?
if so.. getting a custom nut ( tighter pairs. .more space between pairs ) might be able to utilize ALL the fretboard width much cheaper than: without having to incorporate a refret!
Also note: I have a 2000 620/12 that I can barely play.. and a friend has a 2009 360/12 that I can play EASILY.. Theoretically: same size nut/neck width:
and have learned that RIC changed the way they cut nut in 2005.. tightening the pairs.. and spreading them out a bit more.
so : Even the CURRENT PRODUCTION 12 string nut.. might make enough difference for you... let alone the possibility of a custom cut 12 string nut! ( without having to refret - that would be a last resort ! )
Keep us posted with your guitar!
Mark
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
The guitar came, and it's quite beautiful. Looks to be untouched, never even set up from factory.
I'm definitely going to do a new nut. My only question is bone or Tusq, so I asked over in the repair section. I hope to avoid refretting a virtually new guitar, especially since I don't think I'm up to the task, having never done a Rick, or worked with conversion varnish. If it goes that far, I'll seek a more experienced hand than mine.
I'm definitely going to do a new nut. My only question is bone or Tusq, so I asked over in the repair section. I hope to avoid refretting a virtually new guitar, especially since I don't think I'm up to the task, having never done a Rick, or worked with conversion varnish. If it goes that far, I'll seek a more experienced hand than mine.
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
Hey Josh,
I can tell you from my experience.. playing my friends new 360/12 ( with the 'modern' nut string spacing ) .. and my 2000 620/12..
it's just remarkable how much difference the nut/string spacing makes. on what theoretically is the same neck/width. I can just pick it up and play it - almost as easy as a 6 string.. whereas I've spent hours with mine. and just can't get clean chords.. and when I do.. requires a total different left hand positioning.
I hope you find the much less invasive - new nut - to be the ticket!
Pictures Please!!
Mark
I can tell you from my experience.. playing my friends new 360/12 ( with the 'modern' nut string spacing ) .. and my 2000 620/12..
it's just remarkable how much difference the nut/string spacing makes. on what theoretically is the same neck/width. I can just pick it up and play it - almost as easy as a 6 string.. whereas I've spent hours with mine. and just can't get clean chords.. and when I do.. requires a total different left hand positioning.
I hope you find the much less invasive - new nut - to be the ticket!
Pictures Please!!
Mark
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
I cut a new nut, moved the strings out as far as I dare, and tightened up the pairs. You guys are right-it made a huge difference. It's still a narrow neck, but I can play all the cowboy chords cleanly now, and nothing seems to slip off the edge. I'm calling it a success.
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
Congratilations! I'm still on the lookout for a reasonably priced McGuinn. I can't tell you how many times I have had the rope around my neck for selling that one. 
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced McGuinn? They seem to bring big wads of cash when they come up.
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
I've seen one or two used, garden-variety 370/12 strings for sale for less than $2K/US. Would it be all that bad to settle for a mapleglo 370/12 and a Janglebox?0018g wrote:Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced McGuinn? They seem to bring big wads of cash when they come up.
JimK
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
That's what I did, although I haven't picked up a Janglebox. Yet. Still using the Boss compressor I bought when I bought my 360/12.
Isn't Roger using the JB in lieu of his on board compressor these days?
Isn't Roger using the JB in lieu of his on board compressor these days?
Re: New-to-me 370/12 MG on the way
It isn't just the compressor that I like about the McGuinn. I like the checkerboard binding and the fact that the models have aged and ambered.jimk wrote:I've seen one or two used, garden-variety 370/12 strings for sale for less than $2K/US. Would it be all that bad to settle for a mapleglo 370/12 and a Janglebox?0018g wrote:Is there such a thing as a reasonably priced McGuinn? They seem to bring big wads of cash when they come up.
JimK