#1
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How many 12 string guitars do you need?
An often repeated question is how many 6 string guitars do you need? I'd like to ask how many 12 string guitars do you need?
I'm (nearly) new to the 12 string,having once had a Simpon and Patrick 12 string for about a year. I got fed up with the high G string snapping and fret buzz when I tuned down to open D and G. I've since been told that you should tune down a tone, so that should stop the 3rd string snapping. I've got my Brett Signature 12 string in open D, tuned down 1 step. It sounds wonderful playing finger-style blues and bottleneck. I like to play in open G and DADGAD using modal scales (dorian,aeolian and harmonic minor), but I don't want to keep retuning the 12 string. So, should I buy another 2 12 string guitars??!!!
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Furch Blue D-MM Furch Blue D-CM Furch Stanford D1P MM Blues resonator Seagull S6 Original |
#2
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Need? One.
Want or justify? Game changer!
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Happiness Is A New Set Of Strings L-20A |
#3
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I've only ever had one at a time, I wonder if that might change. I have a Taylor GA3-13, which is a good sounding and great playing guitar.
I say "good sounding" because it does sound a little thing. Not a ton of bass there, which is neither good nor bad. Still: I've lately been thinking about getting a Guild 12 string. |
#4
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I have one and although I've had several, I've had only one at a time over the years.
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 Last edited by SpruceTop; 08-25-2019 at 01:04 PM. |
#5
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Only one but everybody is different. Some on this forum have multiple and I see no problem with that.
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#6
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I have three: mahogany late 60s Gibson B45-12, maple Huss & Dalton CM12 and rosewood Guild-512. Each sounds and plays different and each seems to suit certain styles better than others. However, all get played on a regular basis, though the Guild & H&D probably get more rotation. All are strung with 10-47s and tuned to pitch and I am yet to break a high G string: if I did much playing in DADGAD or similar, it might happen when retuning, but that can happen on a 6-string with older strings. I do find it's nice to keep one in drop-D though.
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#7
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I wouldn't mind a 8 string baritone, but I played a 12 string for years as a kid (it was my only guitar). I'm 12'd out.
So my answer is -1
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#8
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Since 12-strings get the smallest percentage of my playing time, I keep only one.
Some time back, I had a Taylor LKSM-12 and a Guild F-512 at the same time. The Guild won out. One only ever since then. |
#9
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Clearly the answer is "one more than one has at present".
I think I am down to three these days.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#10
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When I bought my Guild F212 back in 1975, I traded in my old Harmony 12-string. I could not see the need for two 12-strings then.
When I got my Guild F512 a couple of years ago, I found that I liked it so much that I simply did not want to play my F212 anymore. So I gave it to my oldest son who thinks it's very cool. For me, one good 12-string is enough. - Glenn
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My You Tube Channel |
#11
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I would have said one because there's a lot that I like about 12 string acoustics. However, the truth is they just don't last a long time at my house. It's not as much the tuning as it is my diminished ability to finger chords decently as my finger strength decreases and subsequent pain increases. I do love the sound, but to honestly answer the original question for me I'd have to say none....
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Martin D18 Martin 000-15sm |
#12
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Just one more!
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#13
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Quote:
Second paragraph: No, the "12-strings need to be tuned down" thing dates from the 1920s/30s when there were a lot of cheapo 12ers around, like the Stella made famous by Lead Belly. You don't need to do that with modern guitars. The snapping is due to a problem at the nut or bridge or elsewhere (which a competent repair person will take care of during setup), rather than to a string of the correct gauge being tuned to high G. By the way and for what it's worth, here are the gauges S&P uses on their 12s: http://www.simonandpatrick.com/strings.htm
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stai scherzando? Last edited by frankmcr; 08-25-2019 at 02:21 PM. |
#14
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I had an Ovation Ultra, and then got the Martin. Didn't feel I needed two, so I bought a mint FG-460s 13 'birds'.
Sold the Martin, because the Yamaha acquitted itself so well. Sold the Ultra, because it was an Ultra (heavy). Then 'Healey' (blind sheltie) needed surgery, so I blew out a bunch of guitars - including the FG. Now I'm without a twelve of any kind. I'll survive. Thinking about a little B-25 Gibson, but it will depend entirely on what comes down the pike. I find twelve strings (jmo) are more about the 12 strings, than tone woods or brand. So not so fussy. He kept the one of kind!
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'05 Larrivée 0M-03 Custom (bear claw/hog), '13 Kronbauer TDK 285 MJ Custom (koa), '94 Froggy Bottom Custom (koa) dread', '08 Seagull Artist (EIR), '19 Gnome Blues Custom (EIR/T13? redwood), '78 S. Yairi 726 (hog), '84 K Yairi AR377, 1905 Vega parlor (hog), 60's Stella,'94 Saudi Tele', '79 Epi Genesis "Your sound is in your hands ... ... more than it is the amp or the guitar you use." - SRV |
#15
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I went chasing a rich, warm 12-string tone.
I thought my Maton was OK until I played a Taylor 355. I thought the Taylor was good until I played a Guild F-412. I thought the Guild was it until I played a Martin Grand J12-40E Special. I bought the Morris out of curiosity. I sold the Maton and traded the Taylor but I still have the other 3.
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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 |