The electric 12-string gained prominence with the introduction in 1964 of the Rickenbacker 360, made famous through George Harrison's use of it (in fact the company's very first 12-string) on the Beatles' album and film A Hard Day's Night and many subsequent recordings. In early 1965, after seeing the film, Roger McGuinn of the Byrds immediately bought a Rickenbacker 360-12 which he made central to the Byrds' folk rock sound.

In 1966, McGuinn sent it back to the factory to have a 3rd pickup fitted, making it effectively a model 370-12. At the same time, the factory added a compressor, controlled by the mini-switch in the pickguard. To avoid the extra-long headstock that most 12-strings require, Rickenbacker staggered the tuner mountings on the back and the side of the headstock. They also reversed the typical configuration of the octave string pairs so that the player’s downstroke hit the lower string first. The result was a unique sound that made McGuinn’s opening figure on Mr. Tambourine Man instantly recognisable.