12 String Ideas‽

[mot]

I have a birthday coming up and have been looking a little too much at the Harborica 12 string on the Emerald site. The question I can't answer yet is would I be happier with an X-20 (new or old design), X-30 or something else. I can also see not getting anything because 1) I still am waiting for a manufacturer fix on an issue with one guitar I already have and 2) maybe I already have enough guitars (and other instruments). But then again, maybe not.

I would consider wood too, but I don't think they will compare too favorably in terms of robustness, lightness, comfort and playability.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by mot

I would consider wood too, but I don't think they will compare too favorably in terms of robustness, lightness, comfort and playability.

Well, I'm biased, and maybe you're right about the "lightness" and "comfort," but I'm doubtful anything can touch the tonal output of a jumbo Guild 12-string.

[Thekidjohn]

Originally Posted by DCCougar

Well, I'm biased, and maybe you're right about the "lightness" and "comfort," but I'm doubtful anything can touch the tonal output of a jumbo Guild 12-string.

I also have a Westerly RI made Guild jumbo 12 string. Bought it in 1989 and while I LOVE it that guitar has had more issues with the bridge plate and top bracing than I can ever explain here. So I too am looking for a carbon equivalent and I think the X 30 would be closest to that HUGE jumbo sound. The idea of something big sounding in a 12 string that stays in tune is too cool not to pursue.

[GuitarDoc]

I’ve always wanted a guild 12 string. But they’re so big. I had to settle for a Martin J 1240.
It sounds like a mandolin compared to my X 30-12. The biggest problem I find with 12 strings Guitars is the lack of base. That doesn’t happen with the emerald x30 12. They put light medium strings on my guitar. Has a thumping bass. But tougher to play for a full set.

[Fixedgear60]

One of my favorite 12 strings is Rainsong's Jumbo 12 JM3000. I still miss the one I sold years ago and very tempted by the new vintage series :-). A wonderful full sounding 12 string without the usual "jangly" sound some 12 strings have. Worth a look ....

[Fixedgear60]

Originally Posted by GuitarDoc

The biggest problem I find with 12 strings Guitars is the lack of base.

Doc... could not agree with you more.... Rainsong Jumbo JM3000 also does not suffer from this problem... lots of bass and in the vintage model looks sooo cool....

[GuitarDoc]

Originally Posted by Fixedgear60

Doc... could not agree with you more.... Rainsong Jumbo JM3000 also does not suffer from this problem... lots of bass and in the vintage model looks sooo cool....

I tried one at Manny’s (I think) in NYC decades ago. Alas. It’s a huge body.

[RP]

I've special ordered an Emerald X20-12 (no electronics, satin black finish) so I suppose I've cast my vote...

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Thekidjohn

I also have a Westerly RI made Guild jumbo 12 string. Bought it in 1989 and while I LOVE it that guitar has had more issues with the bridge plate and top bracing than I can ever explain here.

Yeah, some people just love those Westerly-built Guilds. 1989 would have been one of the last out of Westerly before Guild moved to Corona, California. So yours is a 30-year-old 12-string. The tension of twelve strings is tough on a guitar body. I much prefer newer 12-strings that are less likely to have the issues you mention.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by GuitarDoc

...The biggest problem I find with 12 strings Guitars is the lack of base....

I had a $500 jumbo Takamine 12. It was pretty darn good, but yeah, weak in the bass. It did inspire me to get a Guild, though, which does not have that problem.

[MiG50]

I've also had a pretty strong desire to add a 12-string to the stable. I've looked at some wood models, even cheap ones on the local classified ads, just to get something to mess around with. Now that Rainsong has a 12-string option available again, it may be something worth saving up for. Carbon fiber has a number of advantages over wood for a 12-string; mostly the strength to withstand the added force without slowly coming apart, but also the ability of the body to resonate more freely (especially the Rainsong tops, which are unbraced) and not overload with the extra strings.

The JM3000 versions are definitely VERY cool instruments, but since you could order the 12-string neck with any of the body shapes, you could get something really cool and niché like a PA3000 parlor 12-string (THAT would sound like a mandolin, but with extended range). I think the WS3000 was the most popular back in the day, because it's still a good-sized body for bass/tone while remaining fairly ergonomic and having a good cutaway.

[RP]

Originally Posted by MiG50

...The JM3000 versions are definitely VERY cool instruments, but since you could order the 12-string neck with any of the body shapes, you could get something really cool and niché like a PA3000 parlor 12-string (THAT would sound like a mandolin, but with extended range)...

Or for less money order an Emerald Amicus...

[MiG50]

Originally Posted by RP

Or for less money order an Emerald Amicus...

I'm sure the Amicus is a terrific instrument, on it's own merits. But it's not fair to compare that with a (theoretical) PA3000. One is a full-scale instrument, and the other is short-scale, akin to a 12-string version of an octave mandolin. The body sizes would be comparable, and thus they might have similar tonal character. But a PA3000 or OM3000 would have the same full scale as any other Rainsong 12-string, just with a smaller body. I know a lot of 12-string players prefer the larger body sizes, so the JM3000, WS3000, and DR3000 variants are likely *much* more popular. I'm not sure I've ever seen an OM3000 or PA3000, they may not exist (yet).

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Fixedgear60

One of my favorite 12-strings is Rainsong's Jumbo 12 JM3000. I still miss the one I sold years ago and very tempted by the new vintage series. A wonderful full-sounding 12-string without the usual "jangly" sound some 12-strings have. Worth a look...

I have an original JM3000 I bought in 2004, and it's everything you say it is and more: big, full, lighter than my Westerly JF30-12 by an easy couple pounds, and has an almost "woody" quality with Martin Monels - small wonder it's my wife's go-to rhythm guitar, and if the new JM3100 is anywhere near as good I wouldn't think twice about buying one, even sight unseen/unheard...

[Juan_Banjovy]

Originally Posted by Fixedgear60

One of my favorite 12 strings is Rainsong's Jumbo 12 JM3000. I still miss the one I sold years ago and very tempted by the new vintage series :-). A wonderful full sounding 12 string without the usual "jangly" sound some 12 strings have. Worth a look ....

I got my JM3000 around 2011 or 2012. Very happy with mine also. Some things I noticed first time I played it: It's light, it's loud & there's no mud. You can strum it hard or fingerpick it & it's loud & clear. Also stays in tune better than any acoustic I own. Very playable too. String spacing suits fingerpicking. I was surprised Rainsong quit making these. Glad I got it when I did but I have seen a few used ones out there.