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Post by Lefty Rev on Oct 9, 2020 17:15:33 GMT -5
The 12 string guitar seems to be an also ran most of the time, as it is more of a niche instrument, and overuse can become aggravating...
...so who here has one/still has one/had one/wants one/never wants to see one again?
I didn't own one for at least two decades, then a couple years ago got the itch and bought a Takamine - very nice guitar and a great, all solid-wood, made in Japan value.
Then I got the itch for a Martin, and started watching Reverb. A 16-Series popped up for about the same value as the Takamine, so I bit (and sold the Takamine after comparing the two). The Tak was brighter, the Martin warmer. And - surprise - the Martin was actually easier to play (both at standard pitch/tuning)! That was a pleasant surprise!
I used it for worship a couple weeks ago, and, once again, someone said how much they enjoy it when the 12-string comes out. This past week it was one of our male singers who said it really made the songs sound great.
Who else has a 12-string story?
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 9, 2020 18:05:43 GMT -5
Kid in the back of the room raises his hand.....
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Peppy
Wholenote
Guitar gear guru at Milano Music Center
Posts: 180
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Post by Peppy on Oct 9, 2020 20:03:27 GMT -5
Very popular currently. I sell guitars and assorted guitar gear for the largest music store in my state. General metro area of nearly 5,000,000. Specific city area and close surrounding cities pushing 1,000,000. So...many customers. Black Takamines fly off the wall. Heck, just about anything is $elling right now. Anything but heavy tube amps. 😁
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Post by Highstrung56 on Oct 10, 2020 11:05:47 GMT -5
I still have my 1970's Takamine "lawsuit" 12 string. It still sounds and plays great.
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jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
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Age: GOF
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Post by jeffscott on Oct 10, 2020 14:41:14 GMT -5
Been playing 12-string guitars on-and-off since the early '70s, usually, the typical Japanese ones (none owned by me). I have owned a few American-made ones over the decades: Rickenbacker 660/12 (not acoustic); Rickenbacker 730/12L; currently, a Yamamoto MS-12.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 10, 2020 20:07:16 GMT -5
Same here. I have played 12 strings for a long time. When I was only about 12 I learned some of my first chords on a Gibson electric 12 string. I bought my Yairi Alvarez in '02 which I play regularily. I also have the Ric 660/12.
It is a different instrument and you have to think differently. You want to be able to hit individual strings on the up and down strokes rather than mush it all up with big strums.
Also tuning is a bear. Relative tuning doesn't work. I really do need an electronic tuner but it still doesn't get the intonation perfect. My approach is to get the D and G right and then work to the edges. The 660/12 is really tempermental. Also there is work using a capo. You have to develop some ability to do perfect pitch.
But it's worth it.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Oct 11, 2020 23:09:53 GMT -5
Also tuning is a bear. Relative tuning doesn't work. I really do need an electronic tuner but it still doesn't get the intonation perfect. My approach is to get the D and G right and then work to the edges. The 660/12 is really tempermental. Also there is work using a capo. You have to develop some ability to do perfect pitch. But it's worth it. While it's not cheap, the G7th company (Great Britain) makes a couple capos with a 12-string rubber insert that does an amazing job of keeping if in tune with capoed. I bought one of the expensive ones, but now they have a Newport model that is around $35 USD (around £27); looks worth having. www.g7th.com/12-string
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 12, 2020 21:28:36 GMT -5
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Post by Larry Madsen on Oct 12, 2020 21:37:37 GMT -5
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Oct 13, 2020 6:22:21 GMT -5
My cousin taught me to play back in 1974. He had an EKO 12 string, so I suppose you could say I learned on a 12 string :-). I actually found it easier to play than my cheapo acoustic, probably due to the better spread of pressure on my fingers from fretting two strings per finger.
I’ve always loved the sound of a 12 string, but didn’t have one until about 10 years ago when I bought myself a 1983 Martin D12-18 for my birthday. It plays and sounds great but I probably haven’t had it out of its case for about a year. I also have a Taylor 355-12, which plays even better than my Martin, but gets played as infrequently :-(
I tune them both down a full step
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Post by mountie on Oct 13, 2020 10:13:31 GMT -5
Guilty! I had a Yamaha FG440-12 I picked up in a pawnshop for $200 several years ago that I stupidly sold. This year I picked up another Yamaha (APX7??) acoustic electric with a cutaway and smaller, slimmer body. Decent instrument, but no one says "WOW!" about this one.
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Post by redshoes on Oct 13, 2020 21:49:06 GMT -5
I guess this counts. Really nice playing and sounding Jumbo. ========================================================== I would love to find one of these... I have the 6-string version... it really sounds wonderful... I'm jealous!! DSC_2216 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Oct 14, 2020 14:22:49 GMT -5
[/quote]While it's not cheap, the G7th company (Great Britain) makes a couple capos with a 12-string rubber insert that does an amazing job of keeping if in tune with capoed. I bought one of the expensive ones, but now they have a Newport model that is around $35 USD (around £27); looks worth having. www.g7th.com/12-string[/quote] Forgot to say, I got a G7th capo a few years ago. It looks great, but doesn’t do what a capo is supposed to do, i.e. fret the strings properly. So it was a complete waste of money for me. Also got a dedicated 12 string capo from the States, don’t remember the brand, but it was also useless. Ended up with a Shubb which is excellent and does the job ;-) Edit- the 12 string capo was a Paige.
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Post by Ragtop on Oct 17, 2020 3:59:11 GMT -5
I've had two, one of the Takamine lawsuit models and an Alvarez-Yairi just like Larry's above(DY-80, I believe? Great guitar!). Both wore me out eventually, and I sold them.
There are usually 2 or 3 of the Martin 12 dreads for sale at any given time on Colorado Craigslist. They don't move very fast.
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matryx81
Wholenote
I think I know the reason but I can't spell it.
Posts: 771
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Post by matryx81 on Oct 18, 2020 9:20:18 GMT -5
It is a different instrument and you have to think differently. While I am not a guitarist, I am a bassist with an 8-string fretless and agree that when the strings get doubled with octave strings, you DO have to approach it differently. I used mine in a praise setting once. It was quickly banished thanks to that octave string chewing up the midrange space.
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Post by BobbyMac on Oct 18, 2020 11:04:04 GMT -5
I'm a big 12-string guitar fan, ever since 1965 when I was first exposed to the Byrds and the Beatles. My first electric 12-string was a Rickenbacker Model 360-12, purchased in 1967 for $410 at the Eagle Music Exchange in Los Angeles. I have had many 12-string guitars over the years but only one acoustic, an Epiphone entry-level model that I recently gifted to my sister. Currently I have three electrics; a recent Stratocaster XII in Olympic White, a Rickenbacker Model 660-12 in flamey Mapleglo, and a Gretsch Country Gentleman Model 6122-12 Chet Atkins in Amber Stain.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Oct 18, 2020 11:46:27 GMT -5
Nice BobbyMac. I think my 30+ collection is missing an electric 12 string.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Oct 19, 2020 17:02:50 GMT -5
On the topic of 12-string capos (again), I just ordered the G7th Newport model, so I'll do a review when it arrives.
I ordered it based on being very happy with how the 12-string capo insert for their Heritage capo works (unlike Ayns, who had a negative experience with it). Having the Newport will free up the Heritage capo for duties on my 6-string guitars.
Now... I wonder if anyone makes a capo for the Martin Roger McGuinn Signature 7-string guitar?
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twangmeister
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Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
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Post by twangmeister on Oct 19, 2020 18:48:11 GMT -5
I had a nice Takamine 12 string for about ten years. Although it was a twelve string with a wide neck it was swhallow enough so I could really rip on it
It was a victim of downsizing just before I retired a few years back. The Tak sounded great whether used acoustically or plugged in. still regret getting rid of it.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Oct 20, 2020 12:03:30 GMT -5
On the topic of 12-string capos (again), I just ordered the G7th Newport model, so I'll do a review when it arrives. I ordered it based on being very happy with how the 12-string capo insert for their Heritage capo works (unlike Ayns, who had a negative experience with it). Having the Newport will free up the Heritage capo for duties on my 6-string guitars. Now... I wonder if anyone makes a capo for the Martin Roger McGuinn Signature 7-string guitar? Believe it or not, despite my previous experience with G7th capos, I'm actually considering getting a Newport 12 string version, as the design upgrade looks like it might be up to the job. Nice one, re the Roger McQuinn Signature. If I had unlimited guitar funds, I'd get one ;-)
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Post by thumbpicker on Oct 20, 2020 19:24:38 GMT -5
Always loved the sound of a 12 string. One day a friend of mine's dad commented on 12 strings. " You spend half of the time tuning them up and the other half of the time playing them out of tune" Kind of had a bit of a point about that I guess but they sure do fit certain guitar work with a sound you just can't get anywhere else.
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Post by rickyguitar on Oct 23, 2020 4:42:52 GMT -5
Had one for about 13 years. Sold it a few years back. I miss it.
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Jim W
Quarternote
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Post by Jim W on Oct 23, 2020 9:33:20 GMT -5
My gal has a couple, and while not terribly often, she does play them.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Oct 23, 2020 11:44:12 GMT -5
Wow
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Post by Lefty Rev on Oct 23, 2020 12:28:15 GMT -5
Wow - three gorgeous lefties!!! I'm impressed!
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Oct 31, 2020 11:45:48 GMT -5
Despite my previous experience with g7th capos I ordered a Newport 12 string version. It arrived a couple of days ago and I love it ;-). Tried it on my 6 string first and it worked great. Finally tried it on my Taylor 355 this morning and it worked fine once I got the placement right.
£24 delivered.
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Peppy
Wholenote
Guitar gear guru at Milano Music Center
Posts: 180
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Post by Peppy on Nov 1, 2020 6:26:44 GMT -5
Just sold a new John Jorgensen Takamine 12-string 12 hours ago. Older man (in his 70s) who thought it was as fine guitar as any of the seven he owns. I sure hope it is.
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 1, 2020 11:56:54 GMT -5
Have had a Yamaha and a beautiful old, slot-head, jumbo Martin over the years, but sold them off. Can't recall the model number of the Martin, but it was made during the 1940s or 1950s. Loved the sound but wasn't willing to put up with the tuning/re-stringing hassles to get it. Now I just have one of those Digitech "Mosaic" pedals to get me "in the ballpark" when I want a 12-string-"ish" sound. I know it's really not a substitute for the real thing, but it's good enough for my purposes.
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Post by LTB on Nov 1, 2020 19:53:04 GMT -5
I guess it does! Very nice guitar Larry My gal has a couple, and while not terribly often, she does play them Those are very nice guitars jimw
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Post by Lefty Rev on Nov 4, 2020 12:29:35 GMT -5
Have had a Yamaha and a beautiful old, slot-head, jumbo Martin over the years, but sold them off. Can't recall the model number of the Martin, but it was made during the 1940s or 1950s. Loved the sound but wasn't willing to put up with the tuning/re-stringing hassles to get it. Now I just have one of those Digitech "Mosaic" pedals to get me "in the ballpark" when I want a 12-string-"ish" sound. I know it's really not a substitute for the real thing, but it's good enough for my purposes. Not sure Martin made a 12-string in the '40's or '50's...
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