12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
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F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
Soundwise, I could not select one at the expense of the other.
The torture of restringing a Rickenbacker electric twelve with the "R" tailpiece would be enough to dissuade anybody.
Soundwise, I could not select one at the expense of the other.
The torture of restringing a Rickenbacker electric twelve with the "R" tailpiece would be enough to dissuade anybody.
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I've never tried playing either, so can express no view.
I've never tried playing either, so can express no view.
Sprinter
New member
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I selected acoustic. There is a sparkle and a certain ring I am looking for in a 12 string sound that is best achieved through the resonance of an acoustic body. I play the 12 a lot for celtic music type songs, so acoustic is best suited there. Aside from that though, I find I use the 12 when playing with other guitarists, so having it acoustic fits the bill well in any situation, be it accompanying another acoustic guitar, or as a full sounding rhythm instrument to fill in the sound for an electric player, while maintaining a neat soundscape without overlap. I like my sounds distinct and despise mush, so that might be part of it.
I have a Takamine 12 I picked up for half of what it was worth, on the used market, because the demand for 12s is just not as big. It was one of the best buys I have made.
I selected acoustic. There is a sparkle and a certain ring I am looking for in a 12 string sound that is best achieved through the resonance of an acoustic body. I play the 12 a lot for celtic music type songs, so acoustic is best suited there. Aside from that though, I find I use the 12 when playing with other guitarists, so having it acoustic fits the bill well in any situation, be it accompanying another acoustic guitar, or as a full sounding rhythm instrument to fill in the sound for an electric player, while maintaining a neat soundscape without overlap. I like my sounds distinct and despise mush, so that might be part of it.
I have a Takamine 12 I picked up for half of what it was worth, on the used market, because the demand for 12s is just not as big. It was one of the best buys I have made.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
Correction. They are a pain in the fingertips.
I once borrowed a Rick twelve for a recording session. It needed new strings. I wasted rather too much of my life, changing the strings, stretching them all in and inflicting hypodermic punctures in my fingers. The recorded part was a brief background "texture", mixed very low, on the choruses of a well-known Christmas song that I am too embarrassed to name.
Correction. They are a pain in the fingertips.
I once borrowed a Rick twelve for a recording session. It needed new strings. I wasted rather too much of my life, changing the strings, stretching them all in and inflicting hypodermic punctures in my fingers. The recorded part was a brief background "texture", mixed very low, on the choruses of a well-known Christmas song that I am too embarrassed to name.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I had a Dano Korean DC12 some years back that I did use live a couple of times. I guess it depends on what you're going for, but it worked well with moderate gain for power chords in the classic rock type stuff we were doing. It was a bit much for distorted Major chords, though. Had we been doing Houses-era Zeppelin, it woulda worked fine.
Wasn't too bad for slow melodic soloing, either, but didn't really lend itself to lots of bending and speedy licks.
I've tried 12-string acoustics over the years, and Alvarez and Guild made the most-playable, IMO. Of course that ignores boutique brands. The Ibanez, Takamine, and Yamaha I tried felt really stiff.
PRS claimed at Summer NAMM 2004 to have the most-playable electric 12. I didn't get my hands on it, and the pro they had demoing it made it look easy enough, but then he wasn't really doing anything I wasn't already doing on the Dano 12, so I can't say.
The biggest consideration is how a guitar amp designed primarily for 6-strings handles an electric 12, especially once you add modulation effects like Flanger or Chorus. Granted you don't need Chorus with a 12-string, but Flanger and Phaser can help with Floyd and Alice Cooper stuff. It's easy to overload the speaker's high-end capability if you get too crazy on the treble (been there, done that).
I had a Dano Korean DC12 some years back that I did use live a couple of times. I guess it depends on what you're going for, but it worked well with moderate gain for power chords in the classic rock type stuff we were doing. It was a bit much for distorted Major chords, though. Had we been doing Houses-era Zeppelin, it woulda worked fine.
Wasn't too bad for slow melodic soloing, either, but didn't really lend itself to lots of bending and speedy licks.
I've tried 12-string acoustics over the years, and Alvarez and Guild made the most-playable, IMO. Of course that ignores boutique brands. The Ibanez, Takamine, and Yamaha I tried felt really stiff.
PRS claimed at Summer NAMM 2004 to have the most-playable electric 12. I didn't get my hands on it, and the pro they had demoing it made it look easy enough, but then he wasn't really doing anything I wasn't already doing on the Dano 12, so I can't say.
The biggest consideration is how a guitar amp designed primarily for 6-strings handles an electric 12, especially once you add modulation effects like Flanger or Chorus. Granted you don't need Chorus with a 12-string, but Flanger and Phaser can help with Floyd and Alice Cooper stuff. It's easy to overload the speaker's high-end capability if you get too crazy on the treble (been there, done that).
Bludave
New member
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
The only acoustic I would consider would a be a Guild 412 with a Dtar its awesome. These are one of the few acoustic 12's that you can tune to pitch. They have a double acting truss rod as well as are braced to withstand the added tension from the 6 additional strings. Many builders just change the headstock or neck in general. then at some point they will require a neck set or worse.... the bridge rips off. Guilds are the way i would go.. I should pint out that i wouldn't buy the Chinese made Guilds. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but tonally these American made guitars are just so awesome!
The only acoustic I would consider would a be a Guild 412 with a Dtar its awesome. These are one of the few acoustic 12's that you can tune to pitch. They have a double acting truss rod as well as are braced to withstand the added tension from the 6 additional strings. Many builders just change the headstock or neck in general. then at some point they will require a neck set or worse.... the bridge rips off. Guilds are the way i would go.. I should pint out that i wouldn't buy the Chinese made Guilds. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but tonally these American made guitars are just so awesome!
T
tonello
Guest
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I've got a Warmoth 12 string Tele that I built with Distortion pups. I use it through a super duper squeak clean sound on my Mesa Triple. It sounds like an acoustic through a piezo pup.
I've got a Warmoth 12 string Tele that I built with Distortion pups. I use it through a super duper squeak clean sound on my Mesa Triple. It sounds like an acoustic through a piezo pup.
zontar
New member
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
My Simon & Patrick 12 string is tuned to regular pitch, and absolutely no neck or bridge issues--and I've owned it for years.
The only acoustic I would consider would a be a Guild 412 with a Dtar its awesome. These are one of the few acoustic 12's that you can tune to pitch. They have a double acting truss rod as well as are braced to withstand the added tension from the 6 additional strings. Many builders just change the headstock or neck in general. then at some point they will require a neck set or worse.... the bridge rips off. Guilds are the way i would go.. I should pint out that i wouldn't buy the Chinese made Guilds. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but tonally these American made guitars are just so awesome!
My Simon & Patrick 12 string is tuned to regular pitch, and absolutely no neck or bridge issues--and I've owned it for years.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
It all just depends on what the music needs. Really, I never use 6 string acoustics, only a 6 string classical or a 12 string acoustic. I will build a 12 string electric soon enough though.
It all just depends on what the music needs. Really, I never use 6 string acoustics, only a 6 string classical or a 12 string acoustic. I will build a 12 string electric soon enough though.
Hellion
New member
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I play primarily 12 string acoustic, but since they're acoustic/electric, I'm not sure how to vote, if even at all. There's a certain sparkle about an acoustic 12. Jimmy Page calls them "acoustic thunder", and he's right. They're like playing two guitars at the same time.
I play primarily 12 string acoustic, but since they're acoustic/electric, I'm not sure how to vote, if even at all. There's a certain sparkle about an acoustic 12. Jimmy Page calls them "acoustic thunder", and he's right. They're like playing two guitars at the same time.
zontar
New member
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I have a classical and a 12 string, but no 6 string steel string flat top acoustic.
Yet...
I have a classical and a 12 string, but no 6 string steel string flat top acoustic.
Yet...
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
I have a pair of Takamine EF381SC acoustic electric 12s. I bought one used, found the other one cheap at GC. Best Taks I've ever played, and I'm a long-time Martin fanatic. The CTB4 preamp is pretty good. They needed to have some nut work done, but not they play great.
I also have a pair of DanElectro Innuendo solid body 12s. Cheap, crappy Weird-ass guitars with cheesy on-board effects, and bad pickups. BUT...Grover mini-Rotomatics, a more than decent neck, and the wonderful Gotoh 12-string bridge. The guitars get in tune, stay in tune, play in tune. I find that the three pickups and five-way switching give me some really great tones. And actually, the Chorus and the Delay effects are actually usable.
My favorite 12s are by Taylor--the 655CE maple jumbo, and the T5-12, though I am not a fan of Taylor's Espression System.
I have been trying to convince G&L to build a 12-string, based on their Comanche solid body, suing the Z-coil pickups, but they haven't bit yet. Somebody really needs to build a good, ergonomic 12-string for less than $2,000 street, as an alternative to the Rickenbacker.
I love a 12-string, and how the audience's eyes light up every time they hear it.
Bill
I have a pair of Takamine EF381SC acoustic electric 12s. I bought one used, found the other one cheap at GC. Best Taks I've ever played, and I'm a long-time Martin fanatic. The CTB4 preamp is pretty good. They needed to have some nut work done, but not they play great.
I also have a pair of DanElectro Innuendo solid body 12s. Cheap, crappy Weird-ass guitars with cheesy on-board effects, and bad pickups. BUT...Grover mini-Rotomatics, a more than decent neck, and the wonderful Gotoh 12-string bridge. The guitars get in tune, stay in tune, play in tune. I find that the three pickups and five-way switching give me some really great tones. And actually, the Chorus and the Delay effects are actually usable.
My favorite 12s are by Taylor--the 655CE maple jumbo, and the T5-12, though I am not a fan of Taylor's Espression System.
I have been trying to convince G&L to build a 12-string, based on their Comanche solid body, suing the Z-coil pickups, but they haven't bit yet. Somebody really needs to build a good, ergonomic 12-string for less than $2,000 street, as an alternative to the Rickenbacker.
I love a 12-string, and how the audience's eyes light up every time they hear it.
Bill
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
The electric 12 is an interesting sound. Almost more of an effect if you ask me. But honestly, the 12 string acoustic is just one of the most awesome sounds ever period.
Have an uber cheap Yamaha 12 sitting right beside me. 10 years old, and $200 dollars maybe $300 at the most. And it is trooping on doing acoustic gigs every other week or so with a Duncan Woody.
Nothing beats a great 12 string for pure acoustic awesome.
The electric 12 is an interesting sound. Almost more of an effect if you ask me. But honestly, the 12 string acoustic is just one of the most awesome sounds ever period.
Have an uber cheap Yamaha 12 sitting right beside me. 10 years old, and $200 dollars maybe $300 at the most. And it is trooping on doing acoustic gigs every other week or so with a Duncan Woody.
Nothing beats a great 12 string for pure acoustic awesome.
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=10374126&q=hi&newref=1
I have a Yamaha 12 string acoustic as well. It's a FGX412C. It's a little cheapie, but it sounds and plays great for what it is. Here's a little dorking around I did with it.
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=10374126&q=hi&newref=1
zontar
New member
Re: 12 strings guitar Acoustic/Electric?
You got one of those pickups to work with a 12 string?
I tried one, and the 1st & 6th courses were weak--they pickup wasn't really getting them.
The other courses were fine though.
maybe mine has a wider string spacing?
The electric 12 is an interesting sound. Almost more of an effect if you ask me. But honestly, the 12 string acoustic is just one of the most awesome sounds ever period.
Have an uber cheap Yamaha 12 sitting right beside me. 10 years old, and $200 dollars maybe $300 at the most. And it is trooping on doing acoustic gigs every other week or so with a Duncan Woody.
Nothing beats a great 12 string for pure acoustic awesome.
You got one of those pickups to work with a 12 string?
I tried one, and the 1st & 6th courses were weak--they pickup wasn't really getting them.
The other courses were fine though.
maybe mine has a wider string spacing?
