Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bass Player primarily, I got a bug for a 12 string Ric. I have found a dealer (Dave's Guitars) in Wisconsin who has a 330/12 in Midnight Blue and 2 620/12's in stock ( Maple Glo and Fire Glo) Can't make up my mind to go with 330 or 620. I know the 620s have narrower neck vs the 660. I've never played either as no music store near me has any in stock. I will buy sight unseen so I can use a few opinions on the two models. Thanks in advance for the input

For the quintessential Ric sound I believe you must have a semi-hollow body guitar. A 300 series Ric. That said, I would suggest you find one with Toaster pickups rather than Hi-Gains. It's been debated endlessly, but the Toasters ARE the Ric sound to my ears. I have a 360V64, a 1997SPC/VB, and a 650A/VT. I have had (and sold) a 340 and 340/12. Both had Hi-Gains. Dave's is a great shop. I SHOULD have bought a Comstock he had in stock a few years back.
Best wishes. Noel

If you are a bass player primarily, I strongly advise that you play some first. A 1 5/8 neck is pretty small. Some guys can play it, but ithers just can't. I would really make an attempt to test a 330 or 620 and a 660.

If you decide that you want a 330, I will have a Jetglo coming in that I will sell pretty cheap. $900.

Do yourself a favor and try a 660. At least find an accoustic 12 with the same neck width and try that.

Being a bass player myself, I found the narrow neck a bit difficult so I got a 660/12. Made a big difference.

Thanks for the info folks...I did get to try a 360/12. I love the looks of it as well as all rics but this may get some "getting used to". I am going to try not to be impulsive. Will now entertain 6 string models as well. I', really wowed by the 360 WB models, especially Jet Glo. Thanks to all for the valuable advice.

Don't be too hasty to rule out a 330/12.... I have both a 330/12 and a 360/12, and I have found that the 330 figerboard is just slightly wider, because is lacks the binding that the 360 has. Overall it doesn't make much difference to me, except that I prefer the 330 for fingerpicking--the 360 feels just a little bit too tight to be comfortable for that! Both of my 12-strings have the high-gain pickups and I am fine with that, although someday I would like to get a 12 with toasters, too--Jeffrey's 660 looks like a real beauty!

Melissa -

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the string positioning on both the 330-12 & 360-12 identical? I recently bought a 360-12 after falling in love with my 12 string Guild. I'm also an old-time bassist (gigging days from 1968-1975), but got back into guitar in the recent years. I find the Ric more of a challenge than the Guild, but attainable - just needs more practice. And the sound is unbeatable thru my Vibrolux - that perfect jangle.

Sheldon, I don't really know what the difference is in the string positioning on the two models, but all I know is that I find it easier to fingerpick on the 330/12.... it just feels slightly roomier to my hand, but it may be that the neck is a little thicker from front to back on the 360 so that it is not as easy for me to finger? Maybe it's just psychological.... Like I said, most of the time there doesn't seem to be much difference in playability for me, if I am just doing my usual rhythm/strumming thing with a guitar pick. However, the 330 does have a slightly richer, more resonant tone, whereas the 360 definitely has a brighter jangle.

I have the same bug Steve has, and have had it for a year. My instinct tells me that the 330/12 is the most desireable from a sound and comfort point of view, but I am spooked by the narrow neck. Like Steve I will probably have to buy it to try it, so the wider neck of the 660 seems like the safer choice. Is there a significant difference in sound? I know that they are totally different instruments, but I wonder if anyone has played both and could offer a comparison.

Without resorting to calipers, I can tell you that my 340 necks (one 12, one 6 string) felt much chunkier than my 360V64 or 1997SPC/VB. While perhaps not as wide as my 650A/VT, I would say the 330 is an easy guitar for pretty much anyone to play. At the end of the day you must just get your hands on one and try. If you love the look and sound enough, get it; your hands can adapt. Just look at those seemingly hamfisted bluegrass players tear it up on those TINY-necked mandolins. You'll be satisfied with whatever Ric you go with. They don't make BAD guitars. The 330 silhouette IS the Ric look. To drink from that cup, I think you need to go that route. Of course, I migrate to semi-hollow guitars, single coil pickups, and slim necks! My only solidbody guitar is a Ric however and I play it far less than the rest (though it's a great instrument).

Best of luck.
Cheers, Noel

Ok gang. I pulled the trigger today. Ordered myself a 330/12 in Montezuma Brown. I purchased it from "Pick of the Ricks". Chris the owner is a very nice guy by the way and I feel I got a great deal on a cool guitar. Thanks again for everyones input!

Aw man, I was looking at that one, too! Good looking guitar. Good luck !

Congratulations, Steve, and enjoy! Montezuma Brown is such a beautiful color, too.... I am sure you won't be disappointed with your choice.

I finally got the chance to briefly play the 330/12 and 360/12 while in Kansas City yesterday; I was expecting the worst, but the 330 was actually OK. No dead notes while playing open chords, although there is certainly no room to spare. The 360 seemed tighter, though, I'd definitely need the Iommi fingertip mod to play it with any ease. My other impressions, FWTW: the 330 sounded fuller, the 360 was brighter, both looked better in the flesh than in pictures, and both were a bit smaller than I was expecting. Both were very, very nice, but for me the 330/12 is the way to go.

Way to go, Steve, I was looking at that one too!