Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Looking at a 1993 Plus.
I already own a 381/12, but was wondering how much different the 1993 would be?

Thanks
Kevin

1993 Plus: wider and thicker one-piece neck (think 660-12) also X-braced interior + 3 pickups

381/12: standard neck width (same as 360) deeper hollow body

Those are main differences to me besides cosmetics

How about playability?

With the 381 I have problems holding down the E & A string sets.
The bass string is large and the octave string small, so when I push down harder it sometimes will mute out a close string.

I have small hands, but it still is difficult.

I was hoping the string spacing would be slightly larger and the playability would be improved.

kharri wrote:How about playability?

With the 381 I have problems holding down the E & A string sets.
The bass string is large and the octave string small, so when I push down harder it sometimes will mute out a close string.

I have small hands, but it still is difficult.

I was hoping the string spacing would be slightly larger and the playability would be improved.

It sounds like the wider neck would help! I prefer them.

kharri wrote:How about playability?

With the 381 I have problems holding down the E & A string sets.
The bass string is large and the octave string small, so when I push down harder it sometimes will mute out a close string.

I have small hands, but it still is difficult.

I was hoping the string spacing would be slightly larger and the playability would be improved.

What gauge strings are you using down there? I stick to the RIC gauges for the most part - I think down at the low E and A they're 46/26 and 36/20w. Try 42/26 and 34/20w. If that still doesn't help, maybe your action is too high? Ricks usually like to be nice and flat and low.

Got to play a 1993Plus when i last visited Graham and i really liked it.
Great player i thought it was nice.

kharri wrote:Looking at a 1993 Plus.
I already own a 381/12, but was wondering how much different the 1993 would be?

Thanks
Kevin

I have a 330/12 and a 620/12. The 1993+ is so much easier to play than these guitars--it's a completely different vibe. Now I feel Rick should make all of their 12-string necks wider. What a great feeling neck!

I ended up with one. The 1993 feel very different than the 381. For one thing the body thickness is less.
Also with the wider fretboard, playing it is much easier, even with small fingers.
I would recommend those looking at a 12 string to seriously consider the 1993.