Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $2,407
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1501+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Rickenbacker 330-12 12-String Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash the vibrant jangle of the Rickenbacker 330-12 12-String Guitar, an iconic instrument that has shaped the sound of generations. With its distinctive sharp double-cutaways and the signature Rickenbacker maple body, this semi-hollow beauty offers a blend of classic style and modern playability. Known for its rich, shimmering tone, the 330-12 is a favorite among legendary musicians like Tom Petty, Johnny Marr, and Peter Buck.
The 330-12 delivers a sonic experience that is as versatile as it is timeless, making it an ideal choice for a range of genres from pop to rock and beyond. Its 12-string configuration adds a lush, layered sound that fills any room with a chorus-like effect, making your performances unforgettable. Whether you're strumming open chords or crafting intricate arpeggios, this guitar offers unmatched clarity and resonance.
Perfect for both stage and studio, the Rickenbacker 330-12 is not just a guitar; it's a vehicle for creativity. Its semi-hollow construction provides a natural acoustic warmth, while the high-gain pickups ensure your sound cuts through the mix with precision. Join the ranks of musical icons and make your mark with an instrument that defines the sound of innovation.
Key Features:
- Iconic Rickenbacker double-cutaway maple body
- Semi-hollow construction for rich acoustic warmth
- 12-string configuration for lush, layered tones
- High-gain pickups for precise sound delivery
- Favored by legendary artists like Tom Petty and Johnny Marr
Product specs
| Available since | December 2001 |
| Colour | Black |
| Soundboard | Maple |
| Neck | Maple |
| Fretboard | Bubinga |
| Frets | 21 |
| Scale | 629 mm |
| Pickup System | SS |
| Tremolo | No |
| Incl. Case | Yes |
| Incl. Gigbag | No |
| Design | Semi-Acoustic |
| Body | Maple |
| Top | Maple |
| Pickups | SS |
FAQs
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What makes the Rickenbacker 330-12 12-String Guitar unique in its sound?
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The Rickenbacker 330-12 is renowned for its distinctive "jangle" sound, largely attributed to its reversed string pairs and maple construction. This characteristic tone is a staple in genres like jangle-pop and rock, reminiscent of iconic 1960s and 1980s music.
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Is the Rickenbacker 330-12 suitable for beginners?
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While the Rickenbacker 330-12 offers a unique sound, its 12-string setup can be challenging for beginners. It is better suited for intermediate to advanced players who are comfortable with handling and tuning a 12-string guitar.
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What are the main materials used in the construction of the Rickenbacker 330-12?
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The Rickenbacker 330-12 features a semi-acoustic design with a maple body, neck, and soundboard, complemented by a bubinga fretboard. This combination contributes to its signature bright and resonant tone.
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Does the Rickenbacker 330-12 come with a case?
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Yes, the Rickenbacker 330-12 includes a hard case for protection and ease of transport.
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What type of pickups are installed in the Rickenbacker 330-12?
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The Rickenbacker 330-12 is equipped with a single-coil pickup system (SS), which enhances its bright and chiming sound, ideal for clean tones and classic rock styles.
Videos
ConeHead productions
My DREAM Guitar - Rickenbacker 330/12: MATTE BLACK 4K (Unboxing & Review)
My DREAM Guitar - Rickenbacker 330/12: MATTE BLACK 4K (Unboxing & Review)
ConeHead productions
Rickenbacker 330/12 Electric Guitar, Fireglo
Musician's Friend
Rickenbacker 330-12 String Guitar Mapleglo - Quick Look | PMTVUK
PMTVUK
Rickenbacker 330 12 String
Bizarre Guitar
Rickenbacker 330/12 Fire Glo Guitar Unboxing #rickenbacker #guitar #12stringguitar
WM Guitars
Rickenbacker 330 12 Fireglow
Everything Guitar
Demo of a 1997 Rickenbacker 330/12
The Local Pickup
Reviews
PROS
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Iconic jangly sound, perfect for pop and rock classics
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Slim neck with finished fingerboard for easy playability
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High Gain pickups offer a powerful, distinct tone
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Vintage appeal with a near-classic status
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Ideal for expanding your musical range beyond a 6-string
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Maintains superior sound quality even after decades
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Offers unique mono-only output for purist setups
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Compatible with aftermarket toaster pickups for sound variety
CONS
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Re-stringing can be cumbersome due to tailpiece design
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Narrow fretboard at the nut may be challenging for some
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Toggle switch may have intermittent issues affecting performance
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R tailpiece prone to breaking over time
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Limited availability of certain replacement parts from Rickenbacker
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 9 Ratings
Some technical data on a near-classic
The Rickenbacker 330/12 is a near-classic, the reason being that the 360-12 is much more seen in the hands of mighty stars than the 330/12. Now I will write about those subtleties that people tend to overlook in favour of telling you how much they love/hate their instrument or Ricks in general. Body: there have been 360-12s with 330-style body at times (George Harrison's prototype, anyone?), but usually they come with clearly different bodies. When a 360 "apes" a 330, it has deluxe features like body binding and triangular position-markers (and when not, the triangular position-markers remain and the binding is in the slash soundhole). So a 330 always has "dot" position-markers and no binding. Electronics: a 330 always has a mono-only output jack, and it is a crucial difference with 360s, which have always a second, stereo Rick-O-Sound, output jack together with the usual mono one. The rest is identical, at least in the normal production models: three-position pickup selector; two tone and two volume controls (even in 370/12 guitars with three pickups, the neck and middle ones sounding always inseparable), with a fifth small knob acting as a secondary neck volume control, wired to allow a precise balance among pickups in the middle position of the pickup selector; and High-Gain pickups (and I mean really high gain, almost a destroyer thing). High Gains are a late-1960s design. The Beatles and The Byrds used Ricks with "toaster" low-output pickups which sound slightly brighter, but Rickenbacker mounts them now only on the 660 model and on infrequent, costly reeditions of Beatle models or signature limited-edition beauties. Of course, Rickenbacker offers "toaster" pickups as an aftermarket replacement, although Rickenbacker is not the nicest company, it seems, when trying to purchase things like pickups or "R" tailpieces from them (because they fear people trying to improve cheaper Rick-like guitars with the key components of a genuine Rick, and they have lawyers protecting their property). The difference between "toasters" and High Gains is, when talking about 12-stringers, very hard to notice ("toasters" are for a Byrds-y sound, while High Gains define the R.E.M. sound; both are really good). Four final notes: a) 12-string 330 and 360 Ricks come with a six-saddle bridge, and there is a ten-saddle bridge available as an aftermarket replacement (mandatory, IMO: my 330/12 now has it); b) the neck is narrow for a 12-stringer, although there has been too much unnecessary drama about it on the internet, and I myself can play mine with my big sausages; c) be prepared to replace the "R" tailpiece when it breaks after 20 or 25 years of bearing 200 lb. of tension; and d) an advice: use Pyramid flatwound strings, Pyramid sells a set intended for 12-string Ricks and Tom Petty (among others) finds it key to a good Rick 12 sound.
Artist usage
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From the Ric website "Basically the same as Model 330 but with twelve strings. Careful acoustic research has resulted in the full, rich and warm sound of this popular model. Two single coil pickups on a full size body are accented by a traditionally shaped sound hole. The 24 fret Rosewood fingerboard is punctuated by dot inlay fret markers, with full double cutaways permitting access to all the frets." http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=330/12
In this exclusive Music Radar interview with Edge's guitar tech Dallas Schoo, four Rickenbacker 330 12-string models are listed as part of the touring setup (two guitars plus spares).
Lindsey Buckingham used this guitar on Say You Love Me
In the Funeral Pyre music video, Weller can be seen playing a 12 string Rickenbacker 330.
"I played the donated Hohner for quite a while, then got a Satellite, which was a nice 335 copy. I used that for the early Ride stuff, and when we got signed I bought two Rickenbacker 12-strings—a 330 and a 360—and a Gretsch Tennessean, all in one shopping trip on Denmark Street in London."
Brian with Rickenbacker 330/12, December 1965.
http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/sixtiesfish/guitars/brianjones.htm
The Rickenbacker 330/12 is a semi-hollow body with set neck construction electric guitar made by the Rickenbacker company; it was among the first electric twelve-string guitars. This instrument is the 12 string variant of the Rickenbacker 330. Rickenbacker uses an innovative headstock design that incorporates both a slotted-style peghead and a solid peghead, thereby eliminating the need for the larger headstock normally associated with a twelve-string guitar. Serial: S16977. Black. In awesome condition. Very light play marks. Molded Ric OHSC. With strap and case candy.
In the music video for “Handle With Care”, Jeff can be seen using a Rickenbacker 330 12 String
This image shows Gillian playing a 330 12-string at a live performance.
Will Sergeant can be seen playing a 12-string Rickenbacker 330 at 0:17.
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In this Instagram photo, by Chris Urbanowicz, his Rickenbacker 330 12 string can be seen.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Rickenbacker 330-12 12-String Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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