Rickenbacker 350-12/V63

This is a new LH 12 string, long scale version of the model made famous by John Lennon. It has three vintage toaster pickups, vintage tuners (these appear to be machined to modern specs)which hold tune very well. The maple body is a semi-hollow, double cutaway sealed with a nice Montezuma brown sunburst, the neck is maple with a rosewood fretboard with 21 frets, and is somewhat narrow for large-handed players. It has the standard mono Rickerbacker controls with blend knob.

This guitar provides the distinctive Rickenbacker 12 sound so evident in the early British sound in a smaller package than a 330 or 360; though the tone controls provide the usual ranges, this guitar is really built for one thing: a bright, full complex 12 string sound. Thus it is useful for most 12 string applications, but will always be tied to the Beatles' early music. It is, as such, not very versatile, but, after all, is not meant to be.

The bridge (six-saddle-the twelve-saddle upgrade is $100.00 extra) was out of adjustment when I received the guitar, but was easy to correct. The intonation is very good considering the six vice twelve saddle bridge. The setup was good, resembling more a fat-necked six-string than a 12. The fit and finish are excellent; no paint flaws, nothing stands out. The fret board is heavily nitroed, a feature I happen to like (I live in a humid summer/dry winter enivronment and get sick of truss rod adjustments)although this brightens up the sound even more, the frets are well-dressed, and the neck is very comfortable.

The guitar is very light, seems well-made and solid. If I played exclusively rhythm guitar and this was my sound, I'd have no problem gigging this guitar without a backup. As it is, you would usually need at least one more guitar to fill out all the sounds needed for your song list.

Haven't dealt with them. Warranty is five years on defects, one year on finish.

I've been playing guitar and keyboards for almost forty years; have owned many guitars and amps. My present lineup: A JET Earlewood, a Carvin AE-185, and the Rick (have owned Les Pauls, Strats); a Rivera S-120, Mesa Boogie DC-3 (have owned everything from Marshalls to Fenders). I would definitely try to replace it if lost or stolen. Frankly, only a Rickenbacker 12 string sounds like a Rickenbacker 12 string; there are very few guitars to compare it with besides maybe a special-ordered boutique guitar. It's a lot of money for the sound, but . . . it's worth it, in my opinion.