Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok, I'm flush again - now is the time to get to that third Ric.
I need a 12 since the blokes all around tell me I should do this and that and mostly do the chorus with a 12.
Ok with me - so which one?
620-12 would be it but neck a little bit narrow for 6 strings + my fingers, let alone 12 (strings).
I've played a very second hand Tom Petty SE over here but is not available anymore. So, 660? - yep! But what differences between the TP and the 660 - just the SE tag ?
Frets the same as TP/620 ; neck shape, heel the same as 620?
Just a wider neck, checked bindings and toasters/trapeze? If yes, then it's the next one (and the last, cross my heart etc.)
Could anybody tell me more precisely?
thanks a mil'
a.

To nutshell your questions, the 620-12 is basically the same guitar, but with std. 1-5/8"
wide at nut neck, and plain white binding, and more ordinary grained wood.And No stock 12 way bridge.

So :
a 660 is like my 620 only fancier (bindings, trapeze, wood etc) and with a wider neck, otherwise : same thin frets, same neck shape, same heel - right?

(it's very unlikely I will be able to even see one before ordering it -I live in France you know- that's why I'm asking the questions a zillion times, sorry)

Neck shape and frets are very important to me - I want to feel at home when I switch from one to the other (360>620>6?0). If the frets are jumbos, if the neck shape is that of an old Telecaster (baseball bat/lumberJack), no way.
thanks
axel

Yes, same frets as 620 on 660.Whether you like the Shape of the back of the neck on the 660-12 is another story. I like the width factor of the 660-12, but I personally think they could have made the back of that neck a bit thinner.Others I've mentioned this to have agreed.

Like Tom and Mike?

ahhhh, there had to be something going the wrong way (for me). Is there really a big difference or is it like, say, the diff. in neck width between 610 and 620?

thanks
axel

It is much bigger. I own a 360 and a 660/6, and the neck is like a baseball bat. Given the thin neck design of "traditional" rics, the 660's neck can take you for a loop at first. Good luck trying to demo one first. I used this page last year, asked around, and but it over the phone. I am delighted, but, it is a risk.

The look is outofsite, the sound is super with the vintage p/us, and the workmanship is super. I would go for the regular case versus the vintage case, because it is sturdier.

Good luck,

dave lopes

right - so the 660 is out, 620-12 is in.
thank you all

axel

Axel,

I played through a song list last night at home once through with the 660 and then with the 360. The differnce is remarkable.

I noticed that you live in France also. I live just outside Paris. How about yourself ?

It is somewhat rare to find people here interested in Rics (most are either Fender or Gibson).

Let us know whe you get the 620/12.

David

Yeah, another one!
Nick Allen lives in St.Cloud, I live in Montmartre - how about you ?
Drop me an email and let's meet somewhere.
axel

Cool, I sent an email to the address that appeared at the bottom of your screen when I put the cursor over your name, but, I got no answer. My email address is [email protected]. I live in Rueil Malmaison and will be around all summer long.

Hope to meet the both of you someday soon.

Best regards,
Dave

Axel,

Did you ever get the 12 string ? Did you have to order it straight off ?

I tried a 360/64 12 in NYC this summer for the first time and it seemed really cool. I am contemplating which one and how best to choose : 620/12 price/thin neck ; 330/12 price but some what wider neck ; 340/12 3-pus- perhaps more byrdsy; carl wilson/12 - blow the bank for nirvana ...

Any information from you or other guys who bought a 12 string after the 6-string would be interesting.

Best regards to all
à +,

David Lopes
Paris, France

Hi Dave,

nope, I haven't yet bought any other rickie, for 2 reasons:
1. I have been very busy recording all summer/fall,
2. I want my third rick to be exactly as I wish it could be - and I haven't found that rare bird yet, whether new or 2nd hand

...and, after all, a 12 might not be as necessary as all my songs are already filled with harmonies and 'contre-chants'. One more layer would be too much I believe.

But if I get to get one, it'll probably be a regular 360, with the Arnquist nut-spacing mod'. I checked a 660 and a TP recently and the necks are indeed far too chunky for me...

btw, there's a very nice sounding 360-12 fireglo in a shop very close to Universal Guitars, at rue de douai (the said Universal has a second-hand 370RM, also a 360CW I believe).

cheers, good luck in your quest
a