Electric 12 string recommendation?

[newey]

I've always wanted to have an electric 12 string. And I've got enough projects in the pipeline that I'm thinkin' I may just pony up and get a whole, fully functional premade guitar rather than DIYing it; haven't actually gone out and BOUGHT a (whole) guitar in a decade or so . .

Dreaming- I'd have the Rick 12 w/ the semi-hollow body. But reality's hard hand punches out my dream . . .

And this is going to be mostly for my own amusement in my own basement. My days of playing elsewhere are pretty much over. So I'm looking at sub $500 range here, not something I want to drop a bundle on.

Any suggestions? I know dean makes a 12 for about $350-400 but I've never actually seen/played one. The Fender XII seems to be in their catalog, then gone, then back again- anyway it's over $500.

I would consider a used one as well but the market's pretty limited so probably I'd be searching a long time to find a good used one. Figure I'll probably have to get a new one just for availability.

This is a long-term no hurry kind of purchase decision, and I don't necessarily demand I try before buying so long as any on-line deal has a liberal return policy.

[ChrisK]

I had a Dean Boca 12 string several years back. It was ok, but the neck was 1 3/4" and easier for me to play. Ric 1 5/8" 12 string necks are waaay too narrow for me.

One can get the Schecter 12 string semi-hollow for about $300 - $400 used. I had one recently (November) but returned it for the "shiny one".

I currently have two 12 strings; one is a Variax 500 with Ric and Gibson 12 string models, and the other is a Godin xtSA 13 pin thru a VG-88 with 12 string models.

[newey]

Thanks Cris-

I'll have to check out the Schecter. never seen one. Color me hopelessly retro, but modeling a 12 wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I need to feel those 12 strings, get frustrated tuning it- the whole Shamu.

[mlrpa]

Check out the guitars sold thru www.rondomusic.net new. Inexpensive Korean guitars that are of a surprising good quality.

[newswede]

I second looking at Rondo Music. I'm very happy with my purchase from them in September, but it was a 6 string. About 8 years back I bought a Danelectro 12 string - looks pretty much like the classic Zeppelin Dano. I still have it and get this...I've never set it up! Still has perfect intonation, super low action, no buzzing. Even though a "cheapo" guitar, it is still one I wouldn't hesitate handing to Tom Petty if he happened to walk in the room. ha ha

I believe they were discontinued, but keep a look out. Sorry, but there's no way I would part with mine.

[mutato]

As a proud owner of a 1989 (got new) Rick 330/12, I hear you! Nothing sounds as cool as a ringing 12 string.

You should also try looking for older ones. I believe Hagstrom made some. (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Hagstrom/II+12+String/10/1)

Also, try and find a used solid bodied Rick like the 620/12
(http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=620/12).

I think they'd be cheaper than the semi hollow bodied 330/12. Though, they still might be too high for your needs.

[ux4484]

MAAAN..... who wants to spend all that time tuning

[ashcatlt]

One day very soon I am likely going to buy a Rondo guitar. Either one of them SJMs or a semi-hollow tele looking thing. Now that I've checked back and seen their new stuff, I think this might be where I'm going to get the short-scale bass which is next on the list.

What about an electro-acoustic? Or an acoustic 12 with magnetic pickup and steel strings? There seem to be a number of low cost options in this realm.

Years ago I worked at a CD store/headshop that also happened to have a small instrument and accessories section. They had the lowest prices in the world for strings. They also happened to sell Rics. This is where I picked up my 330 (6 string) for cost+10%. I managed to get the same deal for my friend on a "Natural Burst" 330/12.

I've known this guy since grade school. He spent as much time at my house as he did at his mom's during high school. He lived with me at the time of this deal. I got him the deal with the stipulation that if he ever decided to get rid of it, he'd give me first dibs.

I moved away for 10 years. In the middle of this period - while visiting the hometown - I met this guy (an old friend of my wife) who took me back to his apartment. He's showing me his guitars and pulls out a Natural Burst 330/12. The Twin Ports (Duluth MN/Superior WI) is a very small urban area, and as far as I know, there has only ever been one Ric dealer in the area...

Well, it worked out for my friend, since his girlfriend bought the guitar back for his birthday a couple years ago. He sure as heck wouldn't have got it back from me!

[newey]

Like Lazarus, this thread I started way back when has risen from the dead! And I still haven't jumped on a 12 string.

Ash- I have considered the acoustic-electric route, and you're right, much more to choose from at decent prices. And a great Ric story.

Well, Christmas is coming . . . and, come to think of it, maybe that's why this thread was resurrected.

[ux4484]

I was at an estate sale years ago with some buds. There was a Ric 12 string stacked up with a bunch of other instruments against a wall. At the time I was broke, but one of my buds bought it for $100 after I told him it would be a steal at more than that. I remember a few weeks later I scrapped up the money and told him I'd buy it from him, he decided he was going to take lessons now and wanted to keep it. I hadn't seen him in years, and was at a yard party at a common friends house last summer. He told me that the Ric buyer lived over a block, we walked over to say hi. He never continued with lessons after 2 or 3. I jokingly asked him if he still had the Ric, and if he did if he wanted to sell it. He said "Sure" and took us in his basement....where he had mounted it on a piece of cabinet grade plywood, framed in oak, with screws/with standoffs drilled right through the body in three places and once through the head.

I almost cried.

[andy]

One happy Ric story, and one sad one! We all love a Ric, but they are pretty steep over here. I don't really understand why Danelectro stopped making those 12 strings (or didn't start making them again, as I think they went bust a while back) because they were great. I had one which would be my first choice if I was to replace it after having sold it (if you get me), but as newswede said, they're not available in the shops. I'll second looking out for one second hand though.

The only new one I've spotted which has caught my eye is the Italia Rimini 12- I can't link to the actual page, as it must be some fancy Flash site or something, but it is easy to find from the homepage here... www.italiaguitars.com/. Its quite ric-alike, either a good or a bad thing depending on your point of view.

[dunkelfalke]

Nov 20, 2008 23:42:14 GMT -5 newey said:

Well, Christmas is coming . . . and, come to think of it, maybe that's why this thread was resurrected.

if that is the case, try to find a used hohner 12 string tele. they are really good.

[newey]

Ash said:

One day very soon I am likely going to buy a Rondo guitar

From Rondo, there is this Agile LP-style 12 string

And lots of other neat stuff, like a short scale bass. But the 12 string fits this thread, and you don't see many other LP 12s (no others as far as I know).

I'm not a big LP guy (Jeez- 10 1/2 lbs.!!! ) But for 300 bone I like it.