Buying a c63

[beatles beatnik]

I am in the market for one of these beauties, and with so many of them on eBay right now, I am considering to finally take the plunge, but I feel I must ask a few questions. What tonal differences are there between these and the regular 360/12's? Also, what is the best way to take care of it in terms of the fretboard, body, and hardware care (I hate how the pup's on my dot deluxe have corroded so much, along with most of the other metallic surfaces, so I need to make sure that doesn't happen with my Rickenbacker...

[BuddyDog]

I think the c63 has a thinner top with braces glued to it. IMHO it is a LOT more resonant than the standard 360/12. It also has double binding, the older body style and toaster pick-ups versus hi gains.

I initially liked the newstyle 360 bodies, but the c63 has grown on me and I like both.

To take care of it, wipe it down after playing and store it in the case. A coast of Zymol wax will help keep the body and parts shiny.

[paologregorio]

RIC uses superior plating methods, so the plated surfaces on the C63 are unlikely to corrode anytime soon. Most of the plating on my `84 is still brand-new spiffy shiny, and I've played it a lot since I bought it new. I had the p/up covers replated, but they weren't pitted; the bridge toaster p/up chrome had dulled in a few spots from string proximity and leaning my hand on it in spots, so I had both toaster covers replated together, and I only replated the covers because I has having a bunch of parts from one of my Gretsches and a couple of other guitars replated at the same time, so I wanted to get a price break.

[BuddyDog]

Oh, another difference. The c63 is a 21 fret model and the standard is 24 fret.

[ken_j]

The new trapeze tailpieces and jackplates are stamped from stainless steel so they won't be corroding. The pickup covers are plated brass so they shouldn't be a problem either.

[beatles beatnik]

Thanks for the help guys...hopefully when funds make buying one more viable, I'll be buying a c63! (especially since it is much more resonant than the basic 360)

[JakeK]

Let us know when you can buy a C63, that way we can point you in the direction of the best dealers or if any are for sale here!

[beatboy77]

May want to consider a new nut with closer spacing too. Just a suggestion.

[Folkie]

Stephen: if you haven't already replaced the nut on your c63, I would strongly advise against doing so. Many of us (myself and Jake K. included) prefer the older (wider) string-spacing on that model.

[remstar]

Good guitars cant go wrong with a rick. Good luck