Rickenbacker 360/12c63

I think most players are already familiar with Rickenbacker's 360 line of guitars, so I won't go into that. But, what sets the "C" series of guitars apart is that they were made to duplicate, as closely as possible, the vintage models of yesteryear. This particular model is a clone of Beatle George Harrison's famous 12 string that he received in February of 1964. This guitar was heavily featured in the Beatles movie, "A Hard Day's Night" This is as close as it will ever get! Rickenbacker has done a great job on this and I applaud that they took these guitars on. Other "C" models are also available, such as John Lennon's 2 325 models and Paul McCartney's Rickenbacker bass.
In this guitar's case, everything from the paint scheme to the last little screw is resurrected as closely as possible. Don't confuse these "C" models with the recent-past "V" models. Differences abound!
In my guitar, I hear a lot more resonance and sustain than in a current 360/12. I believe this is due to the under-top bracing. It appears to be more of an X-type bracing than what is currently used in the 360's. Maybe the top is thinner, too, as in the Carl Wilson models. Whatever the reason, it does sound different, in a nice way.
Other differences are: the nameplate is cut a little differently, not quite as sharp, a vintage-type bridge with nuts on the intonation-adjusting screws, a split "D" string saddle which supposedly will help intonate the octave "D" strings better, smoother bridge saddles, overall. The neck is a deep "C" shape with a 7 and 1/4 inch radius on the fingerboard, as opposed to the current 360/12's which have a 10 inch radius. This makes for a very comfortable-playing neck. In my opinion, more comfortable than the current models. The neck as full size fret markers, instead of the smaller ones on the current models. The neck also has 21 frets, as opposed to the current model's 24. The 21 fret necks supposedly put the neck pickup into the so-called "sweet spot". Which, on a 24 fret neck, pushes the neck pickup out of that spot. Physically speaking, I don't know, but I've heard it mentioned enough that I believe it. This seems to be true with any guitar.
Tuning keys are repros of what used to be used. And the pickups are Rickenbacker's famous single coil,"toaster" pickups. These pickups, for the past several years, have been "scatter-wound" which more closely duplicates the old-fashioned method of random amounts of windings on the coils.
I may be forgetting some other features, but all in all, a great, great 12 string and a beautiful guitar to just look at, let alone play!

I grew up and learned to play in the 1960's, and constantly seek out equipment to reflect that time. I'm a big Byrds/Who/Beatles/Raspberries fan and a 12 string is important to capture similar sounds.
I currently use this guitar with a Peavey ValveKing 112, which is a pretty low-cost, but clean sounding, Fendery type of amp. It suits the 12 string guitar, perfectly.
Anyone using a Rickenbacker is familiar with the bright sounding, and under some different lighting circumstances, sometimes noisy single coil "toaster" pickups. I can work with these, no problem.
One of the secrets to utilizing a 12 string and getting a controllable and sustaining sound, is to use a compressor. A compressor will even out and make a 12 string sing. They can accent the jingle-jangle that many players are seeking.

The factory setup is middle-of-the-road. Most players will eventually want it adjusted to suit their personal needs. Quality control on the finish and parts is very high. These guitars are very classy, somewhat like having a Rolls-Royce in your garage.
One thing I will add: many players complain about the narrow width of the fingerboard up close to the nut. Something I, and many others have done, is to put a new Rickenbacker nut blank on and cut it to separate the octave pairs of strings out further apart. Makes a BIG difference in playability. Rickenbacker has recently been putting on their 330 model nut on the 360's. This nut already defaults the string pairs out further. Accomplishing the same purpose.

Rick's guitars have been around a long time and certainly stand up to active use. On the older Fireglo's, the sunburst center will turn to a nice amber-like color. I don't know if the more recent guitars will have that happen. Everything about these guitars is made to survive, in and out of the case. Very dependable, and in my opinion, no backup is needed.

Rickenbacker doesn't extend the factory warrant to anyone except the original purchaser. In my case, it was purchased used, thus, no warranty for me. But I'm not worried. I've never had any problems with my earlier Ricks, and if I do, I have a good luthier/repairman.

Rickenbacker, ordinarily, is pleasant to deal with, unless you persist in going up against their policies. Example-you must turn in a truss rod cover to get a new one. Designed to help prevent illegal copies of their guitars getting passed off as original. I have no problem with this.

Been playing for 42 years and this guitar is the absolute peak of all the 12 strings I've had in the past. No regrets at all in this purchase. I would certainly want to replace it if it were stolen or lost. I can't think of anything I would do to improve it other than the above-mentioned nut change.