Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi:

I'm a brand newbie on the verge of buying my first Ric. I'm debating between a 370/12VP and a 360/12v64 (either would be used, obviously). Let's pretend money is no object (I know: bwahahaha ). I love the Byrds and the Beatles both. I am buying this guitar to play more than to collect--I'm not worried about resale. I've ordered a Janglebox. I have small hands. Ive played 6-string electric for about 30 years and a Danelectro 12 for a few months . In addition to heavenly jangle, I want a 12-string that will stay in tune as I stumble through Eight Miles High. Any thoughts? Thanks--I'll hang up and listen.

Welcome, Misha!

In my opinion, the 360/12v64 (or the current 360/12c63) will suit you purposes and provide you with (in my opinion, of course) a slightly wider and thinner neck than the 370/12VP.

Of course, if "money is no object" you could look for one of these ...
(yes, that is a 370/12v64)

Gary, that one is gorgeous ! Is it stock or was the middle PU added later ?

Welcome to the RRF forum Misha. I would go with the V64 as the middle pickup can at times be in the way for my playing style. Depending on the year, the V64 may have 12K toasters or scatterwound 7k toasters. The scatterwounds will get you closest to that Byrds/Beatles jangle. The same applies for the 370. The 360 has 21 frets and the 370 has 24 so the front pickup has different placement. They are both great guitars.

I always vote for double bound, but it's my fetish. . .

V64/12 gets my vote and swap out the 12Ks for 7Ks and voila Oh and while your at it Do a Scotty special and paint the soundhole out

Welcome to the Forum, Misha.
You will get plenty of excellant suggestions from this group !!

I agree with the recommendations from Ken, Scotty, Paulie and Gary !!

Thanks so much for the thoughtful responses, Ric people! I will stalk the elusive V64 and let you know how it goes!

Well, I must stick up for the trusty 370/12 VP. I had a nice MapleGlo one that was one of the best 12 players I've ever owned. I thought the extra p/up added a bit of depth. It had great jangle with and w/o a Jangle Box and wonderful sustain. I have had a couple of the 360/12-V versions and a six-string too. As a playing guitar, at least my particular 370 was much better than those 12Vs. The 360 double bound 6 was a great little guitar too. The V versions didn't play poorly. They were nice, but my hands really took to the 370/12.
Either model is really pretty nice, quite frankly. But I had real good luck with my 370 and had it for about 5 years before moving on.
So I guess that's the real answer. If you can, play a few of these models before you buy. Whatever feels the best in your loving arms and hands will be the one for you.
The 370/12 VP is with a happy owner Down Under now.
Good luck. What a wonderful dilemma.

Best,

Manta

xpitt wrote:... Is it stock or was the middle PU added later ?

Factory stock. It was possibly the first right-handed 370/12v64 made (the factory made a 370/12v64 left-handed Jetglo sometime in the '90s, IIRC).

I'd suggest a double bound mapleglo 360, and maybe you could eventually intall a middle toaster in there.

Oh, Manta...I was all ready to walk down the aisle with the v64 and now you've made me look over my shoulder at the 370...and the McGuinn DVD has left me smitten too. But yes, a good problem to have...

genomecaster wrote:Oh, Manta...I was all ready to walk down the aisle with the v64 and now you've made me look over my shoulder at the 370...and the McGuinn DVD has left me smitten too. But yes, a good problem to have...

Just remember, McGuinn was looking for one of the double bound models "like George's" when he first went shopping for a Rick 12 and couldn't find one so he had to settle for a 360/12 New Style (NS).

Misha,

As money is "no problem" you have my blessing to go ahead and buy both!!!

(note my avatar photo there with said 370/12 VP MG)

Manta!!

doctorwho wrote:... (the factory made a 370/12v64 left-handed Jetglo sometime in the '90s, IIRC).

I was looking for some other pictures in a folder and found a picture of this one from the eBay auction: