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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner | Page:   1 2 3 |
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| Any 12-string players amongst us? - General Guitar - Guitar - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Philj200 Approved 
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Good eye Will. It is my SJ-200, but when I finished it (the painting, not the guitar) I realized I forgot to put on the pick guard. So be it. The painting, is a small watercolor. It and a few others are on my EZF homepage. But that brings us back on track to 12-strings. The luthier ... and I've been digging in my memory patch for his name... took one look at it and said, "It would make a great 12-string." He almost salivated over the thought of running it under a bandsaw. I didn't let him. It didn't do our realtionship any good. But he ways paying me so little, he couldn't afford to fire me. --- Digression: J-200 Without the characteristic pick guard. The luthier also suggested that I remove the pickguard during a refinishing. I had purchased the instrument playable but in terrible condition from Roger Sprung. Roger was and may still be a dealer in quality instruments as well as an extraordinary banjo picker. There's a tie-in to Dyaln I'll save for another thread. Anyway, I removed the pickguard (easy, wedge in a round, flexible butter knife, twist, it pops right off) and refinished the top. Okay, there is was. Clean, fresh and since I dropped a little orange pigment into the varnish, still looking it's already venable years. (It's a 1949 guitar) And without a pickguard, it looked great. I was really tempted not to replace it. But the word guard in pickguard pinged on me. Digression, part two: In my village there is a street fair every year. One of the local bars invites a bunch of musicians to play outside all afternoon while they sell a lot of booze. Mostly bar music. But it's prettygood. I guess the laws about drinking on the streets are winked at. A lot of drinking goes on out in public, but no one seems put off. One of the regulars plays a 1992 J-200 left-handed. He says he purchased it as a right-handed instrument and 'lefted' it himself. I believe him. The pickguard is the characteristic shape, backwards and smooth amber colored. He says he took the pick guard off, polished it smooth and replaced on the other side of the face. It's nutty enough to be true. Why he didn't purchase a left-handed pickguard is a question I'll ask next year. Last edited on Tue Nov 21st, 2006 06:48 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved 
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Completely by chance, I did get a chance to actually pick up a Gibson J-200 and play it for a short time, while I was visiting a local guitar dealer this past spring (Flynn Guitars in Evanston). It turned out that the instrument was not owned by the shop (not yet, anyway), but by another customer who heard me trying out songs on the other guitars and invited me to play his J-200. He told me he was trying to sell his J-200 because he needed the money. Very nice and playable guitar. I've rarely had the chance to play a high-end guitar, because most shops place the expensive guitars way up high or out of reach (even the local Sam Ash has done that now). Back to 12-strings... Back in January 2005, when I was shopping for a 12-string, I had tried out a Taylor 355 12-string ($1,300), a Martin D12-28 ($2,200), Martin J1215 ($1000), but, alas, I had to choose something more affordable. So, for my first 12-string, I bought a Seagull S12+ that was on sale for $400 (I traded in a 6 string and got $100 in trade):  Last February, I tried out a Guild GAD-G212, a solid spruce/solid mahogany 12-string, and I bought it for about $700 at Sam Ash:  At the local Grayslake jam a few weeks ago, I met a fiddle player who offered to sell me his Alvarez jumbo 12-string. Just what I need, a 3rd twelve-string, right? I'm running out of places to store all the instruments.  Last edited on Tue Sep 25th, 2007 01:33 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Philj200 Approved
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What are you talking about? You can always find room for a another guitar. If you can afford it. Why not? Counting the banjoreo, I have five functioning banjos. Three upstairs. Two downstairs near the computer. Very handy. The Gibson and the Martin are on separate floors too. Super convenient. I don't the girls are every in the same place. It's got so, I keep a box with capos and picks on both floors of the house. I only paid $175 for the Gibson (w/Gibson alligator archtop case). Even back then is was dirt cheap, but I did say it was in terrible condition. I'd love to have a 12-string but on unless it pops into my sights for $100, it's not going to happen for a while. How much wider, if at all are the fingerboards compared with 6-strings. I have a beach guitar I can hit with Frankenstein's lightning. I wouldn't trust the bridge on the no-name beach guitar, but I could live with a tail piece on a 12-er on this let's say unique vintage. Leadbelly did. And the guitar has a truss rod. Damn, there goes a bunch of scarce free time. Maybe I'll just lie down and let it pass.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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I really don't notice or mind the wider neck on a 12-string; I think it's as wide or wider than the neck of a classical guitar. I find that after practicing on a 12-string, it's much easier to play a 6-string. When I go a jam that runs for 4 or more hours, my fingertips will get sore if I play only a 6-string, so I usually bring a 12-string with me to split playing time. Here's my instrument collection, stored in 2 closets, the living room (the keyboards), and a basement room corner: 8 Six-string guitars: Martin D15 Custom spruce/rosewood dreadnought, Blueridge BR-73, Seagull Grand parlour, Carlo Robelli dreadnought, Samick STN-6 travel, Carlo Robelli mini-guitar (alto), Broko octave guitar (concert uke body), Yamaha Pacifica electric (Stratocaster-style) 2 Twelve-string guitars: Guild GAD-G212, Seagull S12+ 2 Other guitars: Lark In The Morning 4-string tenor, Artisan electric lap steel 12 Ukuleles: 3 baritones (Oscar Schmidt OU53, Amigo AMB-7, Hilo), 2 tenors (Lanikai koa, Hilo), 3 concerts (Samick UK-60, Lanikai S-C, Oscar Schmidt electric), 3 sopranos (Rhythm Band, Ukulele Jr., Santa Rosa), 1 banjo uke (1920's LaPacifica) 5 Autoharps: McSpadden Evoharp, Oscar Schmidt OS-73C, Chromaharp 21-chord, Chromaharp D-A diatonic, Oscar Schmidt C-G diatonic 3 Other string instruments: Lark In The Morning tenor banjo, Rogue A-100 mandolin, McNally Grand Strumstick (tuned DAd) Other instruments: Wersi Alpha DX300 double-manual organ, Yamaha PSS-480 keyboard, Suzuki OmniChord, Hohner melodica, Hohner harmonica Do you think I get nagged by my wife (a non-musician?) Luckily, I moonlight as a college teacher to pay for the instruments.Last edited on Wed Nov 22nd, 2006 02:10 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Philj200 Approved
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You don't have a collection. It's an addiction. But so do I: My boys and girls: Guitars: Gibson SJ-200. Gibson ES-175 (from 1956, second owner), Martin DXM. Oxzoco (or something close, now a famous luthier, this was an earlier nylon strung instrument), no-name beach guitar, no name f-hole I literally dumpster dove to save. Banjos: Gibson 1920 openback w/1962 Vega FS5 neck, Frankenbanjo (Goldtone LN on Vega 1962 open back pot. (Mix and match are words I live by.) Vega LN, Regal tenor, Banjoreo. Gibson tenor neck waiting for whatever fate decrees. Mandolins: f-hole pawn shop wreck that plays in spite of it's appearance. Old roundback a departed relative left to me. Autoharp: 15-chord OS. Dulcimer: short-scale instrument. Fiddles: Two of indeterminent DNA. Harmonicas: about 20. Tin Kazoos: 1 Piano: 1915 fullsize upright I'll learn to play when I retire. The wish list includes: full-size dulcimer, resonator guitar, second resonator guitar set up for slide, 12-string guitar. (Might as well wish for the moon too while I'm at it.) The most I ever paid for an instrument was $400 for the DXM, but the big Gibson's bridge was broken (at the time), I had a gig and I needed a tough instrument for a small but high traffic room. (My music partner has eight guitars. All flat-top steel strung sixes.)
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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bigdog12 Approved 
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Will.... Your Guild GAD-G212 looks interesting. How would you describe it's tonal character and neck profile related to the Seagull???
____________________ Doug |
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Will Approved
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bigdog12 wrote: Will.... I really like the way the Guild GAD-G212 played and sounded; it stood out amongst all the 12-strings (Washburn, Fender, Takamine, Taylor, etc.) that I tried at the local Sam Ash Music store, so I ended up buying it last February. I don't notice much difference in the neck profile, but the string action is lower on the Guild than on the Seagull, so I can play it in regular tuning without tuning it down half a step. It's louder and has deeper bass than the Seagull, and seems to hold its tuning a bit better. The glossy finish looks much better than the photographs show. The solid mahogany body really shines, and the pearl dot markers on the neck are a nice touch. It's a steal at $700. The GAD series Guilds are made in China, and have gotten rave reviews. Last edited on Wed Nov 22nd, 2006 02:09 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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EvilBlackHat Approved 
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Why stop at 12 Found this in a pawn shop about 4 years ago. The 12 string neck had been shattered at the nut and the electrics were fried. I took a chance and rebuilt the neck and so far it hasn't exploded (standard tuning). The intoneation is SWEET. Attachment: cap_001.jpg (Downloaded 32 times)
____________________ My intentions are to commandeer a venue, sail to Tortuga to round up a band then noodle pick strum and otherwise entertain my weasily black guts out. |
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Philj200 Approved
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Now that is an interesting instrument. How did you fix the damage?
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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EvilBlackHat wrote:Why stop at 12 Congratulations! That is a very cool-looking instrument. I've never seen an acoustic (acoustic-electric) version of the double-neck guitar (I think Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin made the solid body electric version famous during the 70's). I'm always dragging both a 12-string and a 6-string around with me to jams and switching off.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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EvilBlackHat Approved
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Philj200 wrote: How did you fix the damage? The grain of the neck changed from quarter to flat in that area. The finger board was still intact so no measurements changed. About 2" of neck shards had been superglued back in by the previous owner. It was holding tension at the pawn shop but I think a slight shock would have made it blow. I knocked it all apart and drilled a 3/16" hole on either side of the truss rod and filled it with piano wire . The wire goes 10" down the neck and 6" up into the headstock. The damaged wood was left out and voids filled with an aircraft shock absorbing structural epoxy. At the time when I found this, I didn't have a dedicated 6 string. I learned on a Hofner 12 and it had been played to a state of disintigration. This git solved that shortage. There are some drawbacks to a doubleneck. It is HEAVY. It is also very quiet and gets lost in a group of players. Wil said, "Im always dragging both a 12-string and a 6-string around with me to jams and switching off." Thats the logic that sold me. Two guitars and a box of sheet music won't cut it on a motorcycle LOL. I've seen several identical ones on ebay but the price was up past $700. If you can, try one out. Ergonomics might or might not work for you.
____________________ My intentions are to commandeer a venue, sail to Tortuga to round up a band then noodle pick strum and otherwise entertain my weasily black guts out. |
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Will Approved
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Small body 12-strings are rare, but there are 2 recently introduced models available: The Guild GAD-F412 is an OM-sized version of their dreadnought GAD-G212 (which I own). It has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, maple binding, abalone headstock inlay and fretboard side dots. It sells for $739, and comes with a tweed archtop hardcase. There is also an $899 version that comes with a build-in active pickup. It comes in a natural and "ice tea burst" finishes. http://www.ezfolk.com/mf/acoustic-guitar/Guild_GAD-F212_Grand_Orchestra_Acoustic_12-String_Guitar_Iced-Tea_Burst.html http://www.ezfolk.com/mf/acoustic-guitar/Guild_GAD-F212E_12-String_Acoustic-Electric_Guitar_Iced-Tea_Burst.html  The Morgan Monroe MMV-12CE is a mini-guitar about the size of the Little Martin, a 12-string version of their Creekside MMV-5, with a scale length of 22.5" (25.5" is standard guitar scale length), and about a 35" total length. Solid spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, cutaway body, built-in Fishman active electronics, padded gig bag, selling for about $330 to $370. The best price that I've found is Guitar Hut, which is the same dealer address in Tennessee as Banjo Hut, and they're selling it for $329, with free shipping (Their web site specs for this guitar are incorrectly listed - they are for a full-sized guitar). http://guitarhut.net/morgan_monroe_mmv12ce.htm This is a list of specs that I found on another dealer's web site (their price is $349) http://www.music44.com/X/product/MMV-12CE-SH "... Once you get your hands on one of our Creekside models you'll find yourself wishing there were more hours in the day! Featuring an exceptional open grained top that utilizes a vintage hand applied finishing technique allowing the natural tone of the wood to breathe. MMV-5 is a mini-jumbo style guitar with a 22 1/2" scale length. This model is perfect for the guitarist who doesn't want the compromised quality of a typical student guitar. Other enthrusiasts include discerning finger-style players and younger proteges who want the feel, sound, and quality of a world class intrument without the burden of larger intrument."
Last edited on Thu Mar 20th, 2008 04:25 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Pier Approved
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Hello ! One of my guitars is a 12 string Gibson B45-12. Built in 1966 (haven't verified yet), bought it on ebay last xmas from L.A., crossed the US and the Atlantic in a week and arrived in fine condition. As a child I was fascinated by a french folk singer (he translated Dylan and most US trad songs) who had this big guitar with two mother of pearl triangle shapes on the headstock. I had totally forgotten about that when last year I saw a picture of a B45, then I remembered and it became almost an obsession to find one. They are rare over here, not so much over in the States and ebay did the rest. Of course, it has the marks of life, a well repaired split on the soundboard, and a few nicks and dents here and there, the neck has been spared but the varnish on it is gone. It sounds huge, especially because of the bone saddle that has replaced the original rosewood. I have tried both, thinking that the original setting woul be best, but it sounds dull, when the bone bridge saddle gives much brilliance to the sound. For the connaisseurs, it's the model with the trapeze tailpiece (I prefered to get this type rather than the usual bridge as the sound boards weren't probably well braced at the time I suppose.... ) I like its typical sound, not too much treble, the fretboard is correct, no buzz with a correct string height, kluson deluxe tuning machines in good shape... I tune it down a 1/2 step, to take it easy on the neck (although it's lasted 42 yrs !) and on my fingers. I use Martin SP strings, it keeps in tune very reasonnably. Brings me great pleasure... Does anyone else has one ?
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theBlackman Approved 
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I might end up with this one. I loaned a friend $40.00, and he gave me the instrument as security. He was going to pawn it, and I told him he'd lose it if he did not redeem it in 60 days. So I said I'd give him the money and he could pay me when he could. He's homeless, jobless, and to ease his mind I took the instrument. I hope he comes to get it. It's a JMS made in West Germany in "Franconian", wherever that is, according to the label. It's a model 406 JMS 12. The string holder is a metal bar with 12 holes the strings feed through, and just after the nut (where you see the pick in the photo) another bar with 6 holes guide the strings to the tuners, which are the cheap stamped metal ones 6 to a strip. The neck is made of vertical laminations. It plays nicely and holds tuning. The intonation is excellent the full length of the neck. A Google did not produce much information, but I'll keep looking. Attachment: collage.jpg (Downloaded 9 times) Last edited on Tue May 6th, 2008 07:49 am by theBlackman ____________________ Let each day start as a blank page for life to write upon. http://ezfolk.com/audio/dusty http://cdbaby.com/all/theblackman http://youtube.com/DustinFLeer |
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| ezFolk Forums > Guitar > General Guitar > Any 12-string players amongst us? | |
