!2 String Players only!

[Onemanband]

Firstly, thank you all for reading and responding, I love talking 12 strings.

As I suspected, lots of different ideas and preferences and I do think the best thing about the 12 string is, experimenting and trying alternative options.

I always keep my 12 strings at "concert" (A440) pitch, (except when storing or not playing any particular instrument for a while), and I have never had issues with necks or belly bulge etc., maybe I'm just lucky.

As I said, I have now gone full circle, picked up a few ideas and tips from other 12 string players and builders along the way and ended up back where I started BUT........I am really enjoying the journey!

I would love to hear more of your 12 string stories.

Best Wishes.......Brian.

[Puddleglum]

Great thread. I’ve always wanted a 12-string and am thinking of finally getting one for my next birthday. It’ll be a milestone (50) and I’d like to get something special to remember it. I’ve always loved the late 90s/early 2000s Taylor 12s. Even a year or two ago they could be had for well under $1000, but they’ve gone way up. My main guitar is a Larrivee but I’ve never played a Larrivee 12. I’m sure they are nice, but to me Taylor and Guild have always been tied for King of the 12-strings.

[MissoulaFlood]

As I've posted here on another thread, I've installed a saddle on my 12er that is fashioned so that "tops" of the string courses are equal height (or close to it). This may have a minimal benefit particularly on the D and G strings with a more balanced attack. The jury is still out as to whether I'll stay with this setup.

Question for those who tune down a half or full step. I'm guessing you must use a capo for when the song needs a standard tuning. Have you found which 12 string capo works best? First fret capo can be tricky.

[guitargabor]

Originally Posted by Rosette

I do this with the E and A. I just like the way it sounds better.

I've also removed the octave E and A to make it a 10 string. But that sounds a little less full than just swapping the order.

A question for those of you swapping these strings;

The nut slot space is narrower for the usual "octave" strings.
Wouldn't that create problems technically?

Andy-any thoughts?

Thanks

Gabe

[Rolph]

I got my first 12 string after many years of playing because I couldn't get this song out of my head, had to learn it. A silly song called "Walk Right In"
It sounds great on the Guild F 2512 E...............12 Strings are tricky, I like the idea of 11.

[MissoulaFlood]

Originally Posted by Rolph

I got my first 12 string after many years of playing because I couldn't get this song out of my head, had to learn it. A silly song called "Walk Right In"
It sounds great on the Guild F 2512 E...............12 Strings are tricky, I like the idea of 11.

Indeed, a great 12 string riff. As a bonus, they had a lefty and a righty to surround the mic. Love it!

https://youtu.be/Z-qiC1jynmc

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by Onemanband

....I would love to hear more of your 12 string stories.

Chris Proctor did a Homespun DVD years ago where he specialized in playing certain wound strings while avoiding the octaves. It takes a careful touch but also gives a unique tone: Techniques for Contemporary 12-String Guitar, SKU: DLPROTW21

Originally Posted by MissoulaFlood

Have you found which 12 string capo works best? First fret capo can be tricky.

The G7 Newport capo with a stepped pad works well for twelve strings, as it gets both wound and octave strings. They also work fine on six strings.
https://www.g7th.com/12-string

Originally Posted by guitargabor

The nut slot space is narrower for the usual "octave" strings. Wouldn't that create problems technically?

It could, but I have only had to open up a slot once. Most nuts are cut with fairly wide slots, not as accurate as you might think, so swapping is a non-issue.

[Onemanband]

Originally Posted by MissoulaFlood

Question for those who tune down a half or full step. I'm guessing you must use a capo for when the song needs a standard tuning. Have you found which 12 string capo works best? First fret capo can be tricky.

D'Addario do a new version of their very successful "NS Pro" capo, that has a silicon type material for compression and which they claim to be very similar to fingertips, in that, it reacts to the various string gauges independently.

I have used the NS Pro with all my 12 strings for many years now and find these to be the best option (only my opinion of course).

[Rosette]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

A question for those of you swapping these strings;



The nut slot space is narrower for the usual "octave" strings.

Wouldn't that create problems technically?



Andy-any thoughts?



Thanks



Gabe

You (or your luthier if you didn’t want to try it) file the slot or just change the nut. Not that I would do that unless you were committed. The saddle could also need adjustment.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Rolph

I got my first 12 string after many years of playing because I couldn't get this song out of my head, had to learn it. A silly song called "Walk Right In"
It sounds great on the Guild F 2512 E...............12 Strings are tricky, I like the idea of 11.

The Seekers from Australia from the same era also featured a twelve string guitar in their music...

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by Mr Bojangles

I currently have 3 acoustic 12's, a Martin D12-20, an Art & Lutherie, and a Rogue. Years ago, I had a really nice Seagull Artist 12 that just didn't fit my hand.

In the electric department, a hockey-stick Squier Jazzmaster, a Cozart Tele copy 12, and a Firefly double-neck.

They don't get that much playing time, but I like having them in the studio.

How do you like that Jazzmaster electric 12? Magazine reviews I've seen have been sorta mixed.

[FrankHudson]

I'm another of those with multiple 12-string guitars.

I have a Westerly factory JF30-12 jumbo which is good for the lower tuned stuff. I have an older Seagull 12 in their classic shorter scale, laminated wild cherry/cedar recipe which the Guild for all its majesty hasn't replaced--it has it's own sound and thing.

And I have my original "Cortez" (I believe Cort made) all laminated cheap 12-string that bought in late 70s. That one has a zero fret and that makes it handy for stringing experiments. The last few years I've had it in variations of Steve Tibbetts stringing/tuning with more unison string courses and down tuning lowest two courses. This one has a vintage DeArmond soundhole pickup and I play it mostly electric.

Then I have a DeArmond solid body electric 12-string with DeArmond single coils. This was from a line of "Guild-alike" Korean imports Fender introduced late in the 20th century. The market then had no interest, replying in effect "It's not a Les Paul or a Strat or a shredder axe" to the line. They were blown out at very low prices, and they were very good guitars, particularly this one where the DeArmond single coils get me that Byrds sound when I use a Janglebox compressor.

I'm enjoying reading others who are experimenting with tunings and different stringing on the 12-strings in this thread.

[Guitars44me]

I play solo and always tune down to D. My Taylor 552 is short scale, and it goes down to D fine if I keep to a lighter touch

My Kottke LKSMs are now down to C with the Kottke medium Elixir 12 strings

So a half step down from the Leo recommended C#

Loving the rumble and I can always capo up

I use a standard Shubb, and snug it right up to the fret. Works great for me.

I don’t miss the jingle jangle at all. YMMV

Have fun

Paul

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by RP

The Seekers from Australia from the same era also featured a twelve string guitar in their music...

They "made it" in the States, too. Great group.

[RP]

Originally Posted by DCCougar

They "made it" in the States, too. Great group.

Yes, that's how I heard about them...