#1
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Overzealous in purchasing a nice 12 string?
About two years ago I picked up a Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12, easily the nicest 12 string I’ve played. It sounds great, and plays so much better than any 12 I’ve ever picked up. My issue is that I don’t play it too often, and every time I pick it up the neck feels like a monster. I know if I played it daily I would probably get used to it, but my daily player for the last four months has been my Rickenbacker (this probably exasperates thisbprobably, since that neck is far in the small side). My question is....do I keep it and just deal with the changing neck size when switching guitars, or do I move on and give it a new home and hope to one day find a 12 with a neck I like more? I feel bad selling it, everything about it other than the neck is superb, and I’ll likely never buy a 12 if this quality again, but I feel bad having such a nice instrument spend most of it's days in a case.
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#2
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Seems a simple answer: if you don't play it, sell it. Use the freed-up money for something that brings joy in your life or those around you.
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#3
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That’s definitely the direction I’m leaning. I just feel bad selling such a nice guitar, but it does make sense. I’ve also been craving a Rickenbacker 12 for the songs I’ve been writing lately. Been starting to put together an original band again for the first time in 10 years and have been playing more electric for that.
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#4
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I have two fine 12 strings. A '64 Martin D12-20 custom and and a Harmony H1270.
Both great - the Martin is "smooth" and the Harmony - rough and jangly. 12s are great but never get played as much as sixes but they are great to provide a change of sound during a set.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#5
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Overzealous in purchasing a nice 12 string?
Sell it and buy a Taylor 12 string - they’re the Best! Great sound and the ability to easily play all the way up the neck.
If you don’t like any guitar you’ll play it less. I have a Taylor 454ce 12 string, it’s definitely not my go to guitar but there are songs that scream out for a 12 string and I gladly pick up the Taylor and enjoy the playability and sound.
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Taylor V-Class 814ce, 717e BE WHB, 520ce, 454ce, 420 Cedar\Maple, T5z Classic Martin D18E Retro Cordoba C10 Crossover Emerald X20 Rainsong H-OM1000N2 Voyage-Air VAD-04 Custom Les Paul Hot Rod Deville 410, Fishman Loudbox Performer |
#6
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#7
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I'm actually in the other camp; I would love to get a Rickenbacker 360/12, but having never played one, I'm afraid of the narrow nut width (as compared to the 1 7/8" necks on the 12 string acoustics I like)...
I guess I should actually go out & try one first...!
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2017 Taylor T5z Classic 2016 Taylor 812ceN 2016 Taylor K62ce 12 String 12 Fret LTD Koa S.E. 2015 Taylor 914ce First Edition 2014 Taylor 812ce 12 fret First Edition 2014 Taylor 324ce FLTD Koa 2009 Taylor 954ce 12 string 1966 Gretsch Country Gentleman |
#8
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They are a very different feel. I can go between the Ric and my DeArmond (which will likely go to make room for a new Ric) with ease. The 12 string Seagull is just a bit too wide in comparison though. If you just want the r C sound in a 12 with a wider neck look at the 660. It’s the same specs as the Tom Petty model and has a wider neck size that a lot of people find much easier to play. I’m headed down to my nearest Ric dealer in a couple weekends and I’m going to try the 12’s (it’s been a few years) and make the decision at that point if I’ll be buying a 12 or 6 string 330 or 360 (I have strong likes for both models for different reasons, and they sound extremely close in sound once plugged in).
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#9
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Don't forget that Rics string their 12's with the octave strings underneath the primary string - I've never played one but would love to try it out.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#10
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That I do know. I e played several, but it’s been a while. Between moving cross country twice and having our first kid music took a break in my life. I’ve been super happy to get back to writing and recording. I truthfully thought my writing was going to go down a more acoustic path, but I enjoy my songs with a bit of tube drive on my Ric. I wrote about ten songs and narrowed it down to four I’m attempting to finish and polish. I think the Ric 12 would compliment them well. I can’t wait to go try some and make my choice. I think I’ve decided today that the seagull will likely go to help fund an electric I’ll use more, even though it’ll make me sad.
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#11
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#12
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I thought my Maton was OK until I got my Taylor. I thought my Taylor was OK until I got my Guild. I thought my Guild was OK until I got my Martin.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#13
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12 neck
A 12 string neck will always feel different. Twice as many strings takes extra space. I cannot speak to the Seagull, but no 12 string will feel like a 6 string by the same maker.
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The Bard Rocks Fay OM Sinker Redwood/Tiger Myrtle Sexauer L00 Adk/Magnolia For Sale Hatcher Jumbo Bearclaw/"Bacon" Padauk Goodall Jumbo POC/flamed Mahogany Appollonio 12 POC/Myrtle MJ Franks Resonator, all Australian Blackwood Goodman J45 Lutz/fiddleback Mahogany Blackbird "Lucky 13" - carbon fiber '31 National Duolian + many other stringed instruments. |
#14
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You’ll probably never play your twelve string anywhere near as much as any 6 string - if you like it, keep it until you find one you absolutely like more, then sell it. If you sell it now, you’ll probably find yourself jonesing for one in 6 months, and then buy something thats less than ideal.
I bought an incredible Santa Cruz 12 string, and when the muse hits me, its an absolute joy to pull out and play. Even though it doesn’t get played alot, no way I’ll ever sell it - until I play another 12 I decide I want more. Hasn’t happened yet - probably never will. Try some others whenever you can - but keep the one you have for now -
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More than a few Santa Cruz’s, a few Sexauers, a Patterson, a Larrivee, a Cumpiano, and a Klepper!! |
#15
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I think I may let it go and work towards the Ric 12, even though it would be an electric....just to put a guitar of that high of value to somebody who can use it and get a quality guitar that I will use. I wouldn't mind hanging on to it, but if I can get something I will play with the money it is tying up I guess at this point I see that as a plus. I totally understand what you're saying though.....
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |