As a right handed guitarist and a “paper-qualified” luthier, I confess to preferring the bass on the “bottom”. Guitars being more “midrangey”, I’d prefer separate controls. Aesthetically, the two necks should be parallel.
Having said all this, it’s clearly a fringe thing.
The Fender Electric XII is the best 12 string I’ve ever played, and it’s not even close. Separate saddles for the octave string pairs allows the other 2/3’s of the fretboard to actually play IN TUNE!
Ron, that’s a really good point. I was thinking 6-string, not 12-string. I have softened my language around the guitar bits some, but stand by my conclusion. Given the full-width poured inlays, the bass neck could ONLY have come from April/May 1973.
I think the white 1975 example is best-executed. But the necks should definitely be the other way. Regardless of anyone’s ‘usual’ playing style, it’s easier to fret and strum a guitar if it’s a little higher than one’s used to; and anyone can fret and finger-pluck a bass that’s a little lower than one’s used to.
Also the controls don’t have to be duplicated (that’s just too eery); although they could have used that famous Rickenbacker 5th knob as the guitar/bass selector switch.
And, of course, Rick-O-Sound stereo wiring is a must!
As a right handed guitarist and a “paper-qualified” luthier, I confess to preferring the bass on the “bottom”. Guitars being more “midrangey”, I’d prefer separate controls. Aesthetically, the two necks should be parallel.
Having said all this, it’s clearly a fringe thing.
The Fender Electric XII is the best 12 string I’ve ever played, and it’s not even close. Separate saddles for the octave string pairs allows the other 2/3’s of the fretboard to actually play IN TUNE!
https://onthisdayinjazzagemusic.substack.com/p/july-1st-21-07-01?r=my6i5&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=split
https://onthisdayinjazzagemusic.substack.com/p/july-1st-21-07-01?r=my6i5&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=split
A
https://onthisdayinjazzagemusic.substack.com/p/july-1st-21-07-01?r=my6i5&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=split
Roshmenko Engineering at it’s zenith 😎
Inspiration behind my “4050/12” restomodded by Chris as well!
There are a few 360/12 models from 1973 that still have the '60s appointments: 21 fret neck, crushed pearl inlays, toaster pickups. Here's one: https://www.ronsvintage.com/guitars/rickenbacker-1973-model-360-12
I saw the “seated” version of Genesis in a concert at London’s Drury Lane theatre, January 1974.
I seem to remember Mike having this beast at that show, and pondering how he managed to wrangle such a thing….I’d sit, too! 😅
Ron, that’s a really good point. I was thinking 6-string, not 12-string. I have softened my language around the guitar bits some, but stand by my conclusion. Given the full-width poured inlays, the bass neck could ONLY have come from April/May 1973.
I agree, they simply got the years mixed up.
I think the white 1975 example is best-executed. But the necks should definitely be the other way. Regardless of anyone’s ‘usual’ playing style, it’s easier to fret and strum a guitar if it’s a little higher than one’s used to; and anyone can fret and finger-pluck a bass that’s a little lower than one’s used to.
Also the controls don’t have to be duplicated (that’s just too eery); although they could have used that famous Rickenbacker 5th knob as the guitar/bass selector switch.
And, of course, Rick-O-Sound stereo wiring is a must!
I wholeheartedly disagree! Guitar on top is the way to go! More comfortable dealing with both necks that way.