Rickenbacker 330/12

Chime Has Come Today

For some reason, the sound of a Rickenbacker twelve-string resonates especially deeply with my heartstrings. I can't really quantify how or why, but I know that whenever I hear the intro to "Ticket to Ride" by the Beatles, it makes me feel an emotion that I don't necessarily have words for. One of my favorite things about working for Wildwood Guitars is that I get the opportunity to play Rickenbackers that bring out such strong emotions on a regular basis. Instruments that evoke nameless, deep feelings with their tones are rare indeed, and it is rarer still for a company to impart each and every instrument they make with that special sort of resonance. Our friends at Rickenbacker have mastered the art of making guitars that hit you right in the heart, and it is my distinct honor to highlight what makes them so inspiring.

Feels Like the First Chime

The Rickenbacker 330/12 is one of the most iconic electric guitar designs of all time. Designed by renowned German luthier Roger Rossmeisl, the 330 quickly caught on among all the cool cats in the British music scene '60s, including one small indie band that achieved moderate success called the Beatles.

Buoyed by the Beatles success, Rickenbackers became the guitar of choice for every Mod with a jean jacket. One of these mods, a young lad with an appetite for six-string destruction named Pete Townshend, played a 330 at a few big gigs with The Who and cemented its place in British Music history.

By the time the eighties had rolled around, a new generation of guitar heroes whose ranks included Paul Waller of The Jam and Johnny Marr of the Smiths adopted the 330 as their axe of choice. Nowadays, modern six-string slingers like Laura Jane Grace keep the tradition alive by playing 330s all over the globe.

Chime After Chime

There's a reason why the 330/12 has been the 12-string of choice for four generations of guitarists with bad attitudes. Its inimitable bell-like clang in the high end, snarling midrange, and tight lows give it the sort of sound that begs you to dig in and put your windmilling muscles to work. Rickenbacker has changed very little in the last fifty years, so modern 330s don't sound too far from their vintage forebears. As a result, plugging one in makes you feel like you stepped into one of your favorite records. As a fan of all things garage-y, punk-y, and jangly, it gives me goosebumps every time.

Of course, the 330/12 also allows you to access many subtler tones. Though it's known for its British Invasion tone, it's no one-trick pony--it's a workhorse! You can get glorious jangle when you run into a clean amp, and the neck pickup can cop some glorious smooth, mellow jazz tones. And if you've never plugged a 330/12 into a roaring Marshall-style amplifier, I suggest that you do so at the earliest possible opportunity. You'll be amazed by the muscular, punchy, snarling tones that pop out of the speaker!

Chime Waits for No One

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the 330's good looks, quality construction, and impeccable design. It's made of maple, so it has a very articulate attack and a transparent sound with fast decay. The bloodwood fretboard is home to 24 frets, so you can climb higher than ever before. Speaking of frets, the fingerboard also has a modern 10" radius, which gives the guitar a well-rounded handfeel that works well for just about every technique and style.

Lookin' For Nothing But a Good Chime

How could we resist showcasing such an amazing instrument for our exceptional customers? The Rickenbacker 330/12 is full of iconic, joyous noises, and we know its timeless sound will bring any twelve-string enthusiast a lifetime of joy.