RB-612BK Classic Series : Incredibly cool 12-string

If you're like me and you might want to use an electric 12-string on a couple of songs but you're not fronting a Byrds cover band, this is a purchase you won't regret. It's certainly not the exact same sound as a real Ric - you can ascertain this from any number of YouTube reviews of this product. However, it definitely still has an inimitable chime that you can't get without a real second course of strings. I would also say that with some compression and EQ, you can actually get this sounding VERY close to the classic RIc sound. JangleBox has a whole line of products combining compression and treble boosts, but I got the same effect from a cheap Danelectro compression pedal and a Harley Benton "British Sound" amp simulator. Low level, high sensitivity for the compression, low gain but high treble on the amp sim = great 12-string tone at a tenth of the price of a Rickenbacker.

Aside from the great 12-string sound and the insane affordability, the guitar is easily playable, came well set-up, and has solid, responsive electronics. The only negatives I can think of are that tuning is tricky as it is for all 12-strings (stability is good - just dealing with 12 strings is not ideal) and that accessing the bridge for intonation adjustments seems hard. These are both complaints I think you'd find with a real Ric, though, and they're very minor.