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I have been considering doing this mod to my Alternate Reality XII, since I love the chime but hate the tiny little neck on most Rick 12's. Has anyone else out there attempted this, and how does it sound? Additionally, what would be needed, besides a new nut? Thoughts?

You’d need to get a left handed version of the bridge to do it properly. I assume a left version exists.

BMWRider wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:57 pm

I have been considering doing this mod to my Alternate Reality XII, since I love the chime but hate the tiny little neck on most Rick 12's. Has anyone else out there attempted this, and how does it sound? Additionally, what would be needed, besides a new nut? Thoughts?

I did a FXII style build with a Rick nut, I couldnt compare the sound as I didnt have a ARXII at the time but dont remember it sounding any more Rick like.
I felt clumsier than usual when playing it.
Wasnt hitting the strings quite as precicely.. I put this down to only playing 12s with normal string order prior.
If you are a Rick 12 player, It shouldnt be a problem.

OffYourFace wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:24 am

You’d need to get a left handed version of the bridge to do it properly. I assume a left version exists.

Interesting!
Is this because of the smaller grooves in the octave saddles?
Not yet come accross a lefty ARXII, wonder if any other brands are dooing a lefty 12 with Gotoh bridge..

I did this with a Danelectro 12. It definitely changed the sound...but it didn't make it sound like a Ric.

I think the Fender XII is a much warmer and friendlier instrument. I love the Ric sound...but it's a lot of work to get to where it sounds good (especially live). the Fender XII is awesome live.

Nudger wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:13 am

OffYourFace wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:24 am

You’d need to get a left handed version of the bridge to do it properly. I assume a left version exists.

Interesting!
Is this because of the smaller grooves in the octave saddles?
Not yet come accross a lefty ARXII, wonder if any other brands are dooing a lefty 12 with Gotoh bridge..

On the gotoh bridge, the main strings go thru body and the octave strings are top loading. The saddles for the octave strings are much smaller and the grooves are also smaller. I don’t think it’s worth the hassle. Just get a Rick. I prefer the fender way. You get a much more pronounced octave effect with them on top.

You need a compressor on a Rick to get that chime.

Youl be fine stringing your ARXII Rick style.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276238618571 ... media=COPY
Looks like a bog standard Gotoh 12 bridge.

The majority of posters have talked me off the ledge regarding the re-stringing of my XII. What else can you recommend for me to give a bit more chime to this guitar, that doesn't involve new pickups or installing a four-way selector?

BMWRider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:56 pm

The majority of posters have talked me off the ledge regarding the re-stringing of my XII. What else can you recommend for me to give a bit more chime to this guitar, that doesn't involve new pickups or installing a four-way selector?

Higher value pots?

Bass cut cap?

Nudger wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:25 pm

Youl be fine stringing your ARXII Rick style.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276238618571 ... media=COPY
Looks like a bog standard Gotoh 12 bridge.

ahh ok, that answers that question!

BMWRider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:56 pm

What else can you recommend for me to give a bit more chime to this guitar, that doesn't involve new pickups or installing a four-way selector?

You just need a compressor pedal but one that has an HPF on board. I use the Seymour Duncan Vice Grip. It has a 3-way 'filter' switch. The top setting labeled 'HIGH' accentuates the high frequencies and there's a BLEND knob that gives you control of how much you want to add to your signal.

All that Byrds chime comes from compression

I strongly considered doing this modification to my '65 Electric XII CAR.

But being a vintage guitar that was otherwise intact, I thought otherwise.

As a longtime player and collector of vintage Rickenbackers, the XII feels very strange to me, both the overly wide 1.75" neck and the "traditional" stringing arrangement, I much prefer the Rick setup.

That said, doing this mod on a Fender XII will not make it sound like a Rickenbacker. It will just feel more like one.

Highnumbers wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:20 pm

That said, doing this mod on a Fender XII will not make it sound like a Rickenbacker. It will just feel more like one.

Yup two very different instruments, even down to the off octave string intonation " Vintage Rick"
found this interesting tho..
https://youtu.be/gTW5hKdiI88
Wondering if a compressor wouldve got this set up closer to a Ric?

Ive never played a 12 Rick so my point of reference regarding sound is Byrds records with compressor.
Played ARXII EXII and umpteen XII builds, all had split pups.. with Jangle box "which I luv" but none sounded like a Rick.

Probs more to do with my clumsy fingers tho

Can't believe there is only 1 video on youtube that compares a Rickenbacker 12 string to a Fender Electric XII

https://youtu.be/ySTlQb_qyjc?si=6uiNBG6qseI_bU4C

330-12 vs 660-12

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yfIcxDkoUMU

Musjagjazz wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:03 am

Can't believe there is only 1 video on youtube that compares a Rickenbacker 12 string to a Fender Electric XII

https://youtu.be/ySTlQb_qyjc?si=6uiNBG6qseI_bU4C

330-12 vs 660-12

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yfIcxDkoUMU

Thanks for hunting this down!