Slotted Headstock 12 string?

[Br1ck]

IMHO 12 fret guitars and slotted headstocks just go together, and in my case so do coated strings on slotted headstocks. I have a parlor sized Pono 12 string that is a very fun guitar, except for the stringing.

[Long Road Home]

Originally Posted by merlin666

Those were the ultimate 12's for sure, the main design that Ovation should have kept and modernized.

My first guitar was an Ovation Pacemaker 12-fret, 12-string. Great guitar. I didn't change the strings unless I broke one, and that was a rare occurrence (I didn't know any better... it was the mid-70's).

[Brucebubs]

6 strings on slot-head tuners
6 strings on paddle head tuners
2 truss rods
.. and the octave strings below the primary strings.

Did Rickenbacker do this just to make anything else look easy?

[cuthbert]

I don't understand why changing strings on a slotted head is more difficult...

[buddyhu]

Originally Posted by evenkeel

I used to own a late 60's Martin D12-20. 12 string, 12 fret clear, slotted headstock. I also have a friend who still owns one. Both are/were wonderful guitars. My friends was really special. One of the very best 12 strings I've ever played. Mine was good, but not quite up to that level. Re-stringing was really challenging. If you can deal with the restringing issue, then I'd highly suggest taking a D12-20 for a test drive if you can find one. Yamaha and I think Ovation have had slotted headstock 12'ers in the line at various times.

I also owned a Martin D12-20. The restringing was not fun...partly because of the headstock, but partly because the tuners were not in good shape.

The main reason I don’t still own it is because of the 1 3/4 inch nut...not enough room for me to maneuver. It sounded terrific!!

If you find 12 with a slotted headstock that checks all your other boxes, I’d recommend that you go ahead and buy it. But you shouldn’t be surprised if you occasionally have a day when you will wish that your guitar had a paddle headstock.

[stephenT]

Of course changing the strings on a slothead 12 is more time consuming and difficult compared to a paddlehead, mainly because tuner buttons face down rather than out w/ the guitar on the bench. I use a small powered screwdriver w/ a tuner attachment and that cuts the pain in half.

[[email protected]]

This British guy changed my 12 fret restring forever and got rid of all my problems. Have never been a fan of the Martin guy with all the ink's videos and after watching this I was able to make it as easy as my 14 fret changes!

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by PiousDevil

Anybody have any experience with such a beast? Are there any specific concerns? Is it unwieldy? Enlighten me with your collective wisdom, AGF!

I owned one once...a Gibson Slope shoulder design with a slotted headstock made by Portland Oregon luthier Robert Steinegger.

It is/was one of THE absolute best 12 strings I have ever owned...top 3 of the 9 I have owned or currently own.

The only issue per se' with them is that string changes can be a bit more tricky until you get a feel for doing it. I got it down to where I could do the change on that guitar in about 20 minutes...just the changing the strings part...I would also clean the guitar as well.

Other than that, they are just the same to use, to tune.

You just have to practice to get your feel for changing the strings, and work out your procedure...after that, your golden.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[cuthbert]

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

I owned one once...a Gibson Slope shoulder design with a slotted headstock made by Portland Oregon luthier Robert Steinegger.

It is/was one of THE absolute best 12 strings I have ever owned...top 3 of the 9 I have owned or currently own.

The only issue per se' with them is that string changes can be a bit more tricky until you get a feel for doing it. I got it down to where I could do the change on that guitar in about 20 minutes...just the changing the strings part...I would also clean the guitar as well.

Other than that, they are just the same to use, to tune.

You just have to practice to get your feel for changing the strings, and work out your procedure...after that, your golden.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

Have you got a picture of the guitar?

[The Growler]

Originally Posted by drive-south

They're lots of fun to restring, not. I believe that's why most 12 strings have solid heads. You generally find slotted heads on 12 fret guitars. Most modern guitars have 14 fret neck attachment.

I think this sums it up. At least for me.

I love 12 strings and don’t mind straining them at all, but I don’t like slotted headstocks when it comes time to string it up. Maybe it’s just me.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by buddyhu

I also owned a Martin D12-20. The restringing was not fun...partly because of the headstock, but partly because the tuners were not in good shape.

The main reason I don’t still own it is because of the 1 3/4 inch nut...not enough room for me to maneuver. It sounded terrific!!

If you find 12 with a slotted headstock that checks all your other boxes, I’d recommend that you go ahead and buy it. But you shouldn’t be surprised if you occasionally have a day when you will wish that your guitar had a paddle headstock.

Really? I've never seen a Martin D12-20 or D12-35 that didn't have a 1 & 7/8" nut,as does my D12-20 and my earlier d12-35.

Having said that , my Harmony with a 2" nut is easier to play:

.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by cuthbert

I don't understand why changing strings on a slotted head is more difficult...

It isn't really, it's just that many are unfamiliar with them. Having said that, many older guitars (like my Harmony) have thinner slots which doesn't make matters easier.

My advice would be to restring in this order (after removing old strings)

12, 11, 1, 2, (all strung to outside) then 10 and 9, then 3 and 4,then 8 and 7 ,then 5 and 6 (all wound inwards).

Cut strings before threading though, leaving at least 3" to wind.
Put a 90 bend in the end about 1/2" in, thread then wind.

Stringing from outside in means you don't get in your own way so much.

Hope that helps.

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

It isn't really, it's just that many are unfamiliar with them. Having said that, many older guitars (like my Harmony) have thinner slots which doesn't make matters easier.

My advice would be to restring in this order (after removing old strings)

12, 11, 1, 2, (all strung to outside) then 10 and 9, then 3 and 4,then 8 and 7 ,then 5 and 6 (all wound inwards).

Cut strings before threading though, leaving at least 3" to wind.
Put a 90 bend in the end about 1/2" in, thread then wind.

Stringing from outside in means you don't get in your own way so much.

Hope that helps.

Can we make this a sticky so I remember next time I try this.

[cuthbert]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

It isn't really, it's just that many are unfamiliar with them. Having said that, many older guitars (like my Harmony) have thinner slots which doesn't make matters easier.

My advice would be to restring in this order (after removing old strings)

12, 11, 1, 2, (all strung to outside) then 10 and 9, then 3 and 4,then 8 and 7 ,then 5 and 6 (all wound inwards).

Cut strings before threading though, leaving at least 3" to wind.
Put a 90 bend in the end about 1/2" in, thread then wind.

Stringing from outside in means you don't get in your own way so much.

Hope that helps.

Interesting, this is the way I always string my guitars, six or twelve. Alternatively I string low E,A,D, then I restart from the other side with E,B and G.

I was also taught to cut the strings three fingers above the tuner.

[patchmcg]

I have one of each; love'em both and play'em both.

Strange as it may sound, these are two of the easiest guitars to play I have ever picked up, including countless 6-strings. I don't know how Ovation gave 12-strings such effortless action!