Rickenbacker 360/12

This guitar is a beauty. It is definitely a eye catcher, and you can count on a superstar effect playing it on stage. As many otehr review rightfully state, this is the perfect tool to play George Harrisson's stuff live. I insist on "Stage" and "Live" on purpose.
Better use a clean sound, in any amp you like (I have tried with my AC15, Reverb Deluxes (with different sets of tubes), and even a GA 42. All works quite well as long as do not crank them. Stay as clean as possible. The 360/12 rings nicely.

But

The level of noise that this pickups is not compatible with any boost, be it treble boost, OD, distortion or Fuzz (although I must say in the latter one might like to play around the sonic Armageddon it creates. Well, I did). It barely tolerates modulation, because the rotating sound of residual noise can be overwhelming at times.
No question of recording with this baby, because the level of noise is such that the remedying noise gate level kills all dynamics and some of the tonal ringing mentioned in the first paragraph above. Or one has to really like roots recordings...

Of course, I returned it to the shop, tried two others, but was it a bad batch or else, all were bringing the same level of noise

Not being an unconditional fan of the Beatles, I ended up buying a PRS 12 strings, much more versatile and better sonically and craftsmanship-wise.

In conclusion, my experience with the 360/12 did not serve well the reputation of Rickenbacker, and it is kind of a shame. I also own a vintage 1958 6-strings, and I wanted to feel again the same magic. The 360 is beautiful and has this Beatles Magic. Just not the sonic and tonal quality of its ancestors.

360 / 12cordes V64 series, that is the model used by George Harrison after he requested changes to the original prototype (found in the catalog with the mention V63). Body and maple neck, key in Rosewood, 24 frets, pickups like "toaster", trapeze tailpiece, marks shaped keys shark tooth, two volume controls (one for each pickup) and the famous Rick O-Sound (2 tones + Blend) and its enigmatic stereo output. The neck is thin, the 12 mechanical jostling on the head, the guitar is surprisingly light given the bardât that it carries and the legend that it véhicule.De this model validated by Georges Himself will be born the first Rickenbacker 12 string of series 1965 donc.Ce model again identical to the 1964 version was manufactured between 1990 and 2000 in California with the v64 mention a sort of vintage or reissue series.

UTILIZATION

The first thing that strikes it's weight! very light ... and very fine. It is a very effective ergonomics is the quickly in hand, standing perfectly balanced and incredibly comfortable sitting. Then we immediately noticed accessibility to acute, like a Gibson ES 335, for example: two octaves seem accessible.Le table darkens a bit when trying to agree. If the head is compact, it is very difficult to sort through the forest Schaller, one stitch at a place, a mesh upside down ... and AC reverses in the last three cordes.Au start then used with AC does, we realize that the mechanical not go out of tune and are very accurate. The enigmatic Rick-O-Sound with two tones above and below the volumes are not an easy grip. Lightweight and compact guitar but requires some time to adapt.

SOUNDS

Sound level, no discussion possible. It is THE guitar legend, that of "Hard Day's Night" Beatles, the toaster pickups are not fishing for Hi Gain and company equips current models, but then his inimitable and terribly SIXTY.Bien be sure AC put in a vintage amp, VOX AC30 or a Fender Deluxe for me and for the sake of my family, it's a small Princeton 70s Gone with rhythmic arpeggios that sound is crystalline, rich and teeming with harmonic. The handle end and narrow enough readily accepts the capo and drive Simone The Beatles, The Byrds, The Smiths, Jeff Buckley, the legendary sound of the Rickenbacker 12-string, that is it! A guitar often cited in the TOP TEN of the guitars that made the sound of rock.

OVERALL OPINION

I am the paid for my 50 years in 2013, not that I needed it but just to please me. I played guitar for 34 years and therefore this inaccessible guitar always makes me dream, but I read everywhere that "those who have a twelve string not know what to do, who does not have dreams every night ". I'll be a little mean, but honest to the general opinion. It is not easy to play the guitar strings are very close, it is not forgiving investments fingers, so be meticulous in his game. Sounds are typed SIXTY's death and the guitar is expressed on a tube amp.
This is a guitar that will fit in a park guitar player and a perfectionist who seeks the sound of the Beatles. That said and sorry ladies but this guitar care about the pole each time they are used, it's a bomb, a must, reserved for insiders and found enough in France. No regrets, I add that the jetglo finish (black and white) makes it look like a shark with indentation are shaped fin. A monstrous guitar. No regrets at any time.

Rickenbacker fireglo (red gradient), manufactured in the States (like all the brand Rickenbacker). THE guitar!
Superb finish, we will say enough good, you feel immediately that it was a great hands. I played before (and always) on a Fender Tele, but here the difference is clear. Channel 24 fret (two octaves, it does), 12-string for a wealth of incredible, it's revisit what we play for when to use the scraper, because the disont outright, this type of sound will be not at all the pieces.
2 humbuckers, 2 tone knobs for each plus a fifth which is the balance between the two microphones. The characteristics are the same as version 6 strings anyway.

UTILIZATION

Only problems: the handle, very end. Request an adjustment period, for the fingers are welcome. But otherwise the game on 12-string is not a problem in itself, access to the boxes is more acute aisémment.
Another good point: a super light weight, when you consider the microphones, with 12 keys, it's pretty impressive. A lightweight concrete for sound.

SOUNDS

12 strings: absolumment superb. As mentioned above, it is not used for all the songs (from my point of view), but the sound is a precision and richness to fall backwards. I use a Fender Blues Deluxe amp (40 watts), we get very fast, powerful sound, accurate, great. In seeking longer, the sound is fantastic. I play with the medium, not too sharp or too fat, I usually put the selector in the middle to péchus sounds, and above are more suitable for the rides, play calmer.
In any case, in its wide range of perspectives.

OVERALL OPINION

I for one month, it took me a few days to get used to, but I do spend more. 12-string sound is exactly what I wanted (Jeff Buckley forces ...).
But the disont on any suitor: to have it, we must seek, and to try it, it will Pigalle in Paris. It is located between 1600 and 1800 euros, come with hard case. I saved for, and I do not regrtte.