Author Topic: 12 strings...? (Read 2623 times)

sambo · « **on:** July 04, 2007, 10:07:20 PM »

ok so after listening to a lot of John Butler and other acoustic artists recently, i've got my heart set on a 12-string.

I'm using my dads old Sigma 6-string acoustic a lot, which is great, but a 12-string is what im after really.

so!.... i havent the faintest idea where to start... i know barely anything about acoustics... and even less about 12-strings..

it wont be the near future that i actually get it; more towards the end of the year... with a budget of i dont know how much... (not big though thats for sure). sub £500 definitely i should think. most probably under £300 by as much as possible.

any ideas?

any info and advice is much appreciated.

Simon D · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2007, 10:16:51 PM »

Well, if the six string versions are anything to go by, a Yamaha APX 700 12 string will be excellent (my APX is now 8 years old, and in great shape despite it being the only guitar I've gigged with any regularity).

It'll be well built with good quality materials and you'll be able to plug it in if you want to. Price here is £319.

http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=AG00360

sambo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2007, 10:20:55 PM »

cheers simon.

that looks really nice. right price bracket and you actually reminded me of something i forgot to mention- electro-acoustic is a MUST... thats non-negotiable for sure.

so yup that definitely fits the bill!

its quite a thin body as well which is great, 'cause im only 16 year old, and my dads acoustic can get damn uncomfortable and feel really clumsy at times 'cause of its size.

do ovation do a 12-string slim/bowl-back model? although that would probably be £££

cheers.

Kilby · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2007, 10:22:00 PM »

Quote from: sambo

so!.... i havent the faintest idea where to start... i know barely anything about acoustics... and even less about 12-strings..

it wont be the near future that i actually get it; more towards the end of the year... with a budget of i dont know how much... (not big though thats for sure). sub £500 definitely i should think. most probably under £300 by as much as possible.

any ideas?

any info and advice is much appreciated.

Did you watch that 12 string tutorial DVD I sent you ages ago ? (it's a normal DVD not a computer based tutorial)

I'd tend to say look at Washburn or Takamine as their necks arn't as wide as some (I find yamahas particularly wide) http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1//pages/index.php)

If you find the acoustic necks a bit of a handful have a look out for the Daisy Rock electric 12 as it's excellent (it's 149 in soundcontrol atm) http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/index.php?dep_ref=1.1.1.1.2. They do colours other than pink

At that price you could almost fit piezo saddles and have the best of both worlds

sambo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2007, 10:34:13 PM »

^bugger! no i didnt see the 12-string one... i think it's cause our DVD player was bust at the time.

but i still have them so i'll give it a watch, thanks for the reminder.

played a couple of takamines- very nice (not 12 strings- just 6s).

and used to have a washburn EA18, that was nice for the money.

that daisy rock looks really interesting- cheap and cheerful...?

Kilby · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2007, 10:43:08 PM »

Well the daisy rock build quality is excellent (basically theyre scheters (spelling ?)), and the 12 sounds excellent (almost as good as my beloved infact). Best of all the necks about the same width as an regular 6 string.

Try some 12s as the necks very a lot in width even between ranges by the same mfgrs. 12s fill out a song so much I really don't understand why they are so seldom used.

As for acoustic blues, 12s really are the sound of god.

sambo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2007, 10:53:36 PM »

Quote from: Kilby

Well the daisy rock build quality is excellent (basically theyre scheters (spelling ?)), and the 12 sounds excellent (almost as good as my beloved infact). Best of all the necks about the same width as an regular 6 string.

Try some 12s as the necks very a lot in width even between ranges by the same mfgrs. 12s fill out a song so much I really don't understand why they are so seldom used.

As for acoustic blues, 12s really are the sound of god.

ahh schecters eh. the slim neck is something that would really benefit me; help me get used to 12 strings as well.

and yer i've just recently become kinda obsessed with them in general.

so for band purposes, it will, as you say, fill out songs for recording. but also, the main purpose is that me and a mate are planning on starting an acoustic duet thingymajig, with him on a 6-string, and i just wanted to try something different and make the sound bigger in general.

i still like the idea of a proper electro-acoustic-style thing, so i'll look into the washburns and takamine's as well.

cheers