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  #1  
Old 08-25-2019, 12:10 PM
jansch jansch is offline
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Default 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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Old 08-25-2019, 12:14 PM
L20A L20A is offline
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Need? One.
Want or justify?
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Old 08-25-2019, 12:18 PM
Larry Mal Larry Mal is offline
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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.
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Old 08-25-2019, 12:26 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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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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Old 08-25-2019, 12:29 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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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  
Old 08-25-2019, 12:45 PM
boombox boombox is offline
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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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Old 08-25-2019, 01:00 PM
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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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Old 08-25-2019, 01:21 PM
vintageom vintageom is offline
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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.
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Old 08-25-2019, 01:39 PM
AZLiberty AZLiberty is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jansch View Post
I'd like to ask how many 12 string guitars do you need?
Clearly the answer is "one more than one has at present".

I think I am down to three these days.
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  #10  
Old 08-25-2019, 01:42 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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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.

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Old 08-25-2019, 01:44 PM
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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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Old 08-25-2019, 01:55 PM
The Growler The Growler is offline
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Just one more!
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Old 08-25-2019, 01:57 PM
frankmcr frankmcr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jansch View Post
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.
First paragraph: Take your guitar to someone who knows how to set up a 12-string. That should cure both problems. If the problems persist, you'll know the person who set it up doesn't know what they're doing. Maybe browse around for AGF members in the UK & ask for recommendations.

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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Last edited by frankmcr; 08-25-2019 at 02:21 PM.
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  #14  
Old 08-25-2019, 02:08 PM
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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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  #15  
Old 08-25-2019, 03:49 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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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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