Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Difficult to describe tone in words but I know you fellow Ric freaks can do it.
I'm thinking of replacing my 360/12 mapleglow [2001 with highgains] with a 660/12 [toasters of course].
I haven't ever played a 660 but like the look and find the wider nut interesting.
Nothing wrong with a 360 for sure !
Including the obvious difference in pickups, what would I find different about a 660/12 ? Good or Bad ?

Who needs words? Let your ears guide you.

These guitars had the same pickups (reissue 7.4k scatterwound toasters) and the same strings (TI Flats).

The 660/12 peaks more in upper levels compared to the 360/12 in John's videos on my KRK headphones. Also, I think there's more sustain in the 660 which makes it sound, to me at least, as the least attractive of the two, even though the sound's very close.

Electrostring wrote:The 660/12 peaks more in upper levels compared to the 360/12 in John's videos on my KRK headphones. Also, I think there's more sustain in the 660 which makes it sound, to me at least, as the least attractive of the two, even though the sound's very close.

I agree about the tone, but the neck and aesthetics make the 660/12 the winner for me.

Electrostring wrote:The 660/12 peaks more in upper levels compared to the 360/12 in John's videos on my KRK headphones. Also, I think there's more sustain in the 660 which makes it sound, to me at least, as the least attractive of the two, even though the sound's very close.

+1.
I would add that (from playing the respective models myself) that, to me, the 360-12 sounds more "three dimensional" and the 660-12 sounds more "two dimensional." Moreover, having played both models of instruments with and without the .0047 inline cap to the bridge (my mod diagram) I think that the 360-12 benefits more from the .0047 inline capacitor to the bridge pickup more, due to the 90 degree phase shift the capacitor induces to the signal above the hinge frequency of the circuit, contributing to the 3-dimensional jangle, than does the 660-12.

This is not better or worse, just different flavors. That said, I own a 360-12WB FG ckbd.

Nothing too scientific about it for me, I think Toasters sound better on 12 strings ....

iiipopes wrote:

Electrostring wrote:The 660/12 peaks more in upper levels compared to the 360/12 in John's videos on my KRK headphones. Also, I think there's more sustain in the 660 which makes it sound, to me at least, as the least attractive of the two, even though the sound's very close.

+1.
I would add that (from playing the respective models myself) that, to me, the 360-12 sounds more "three dimensional" and the 660-12 sounds more "two dimensional."

Well put, and what I heard and would have tried to say.

Yes they really sound very close, i too had both of them but could not play the narrower neck of the 360. So decision is easy for me: havin a non playable, but great looking guitar, or a guitar which design i do not prefer but am able to play. I decided from a players view and kept the 660/12.


Peter

8mileshigher wrote:Nothing too scientific about it for me, I think Toasters sound better on 12 strings ....

Both video guitars have toasters and 12 strings

I would swap out hi-gains for the reissue toasters on any Ric 12er!

Playability might be an issue with the 360. They ought to switch to the 660 necks on all non-reissues

Electrostring wrote:

8mileshigher wrote:Nothing too scientific about it for me, I think Toasters sound better on 12 strings ....

Both video guitars have toasters and 12 strings

I would swap out hi-gains for the reissue toasters on any Ric 12er!

Playability might be an issue with the 360. They ought to switch to the 660 necks on all non-reissues

This has been a persistent theme in the rick community, to say the least!

I'm pretty sure that I am in the minority on this one, but as for me...HI-GAINS RULE!

Clint wrote:I'm pretty sure that I am in the minority on this one, but as for me...HI-GAINS RULE!

On 6-strings, yes...

That's why I'm sure I'm all alone on this one, I even dig the Hi-Gains for 12ers. I find Toasters to be too...mmm...for lack of a better term, too polite.