darling67 Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 I broke down and ordered a Dean Boca 12-string a couple days ago. I don't generally buy guitars by such makers as Dean, and the like. But the Boca 12-string got some good reviews and it sounds good on youtube vids I checked out. Seems that, in the 12-string electric realm, there's no real middle ground. Either you pay through the teeth for a Rick, or you buy a "cheap" guitar. There are some decent "affordable" 12-strings out there—I had my eye on a Hagstrom Viking, and also considered a Gretsch Electromatic 12-string... both just under $800.00 (I'd pay considerably less with my discount). That was about it for mid-priced options. So, in the end, I decided to go the slightly cheaper route, as this will not be a "main axe" by any means. Will record with it and perhaps take it out for some one-off gigs if a 12-string is needed. Anyway, here's a stock image of it below. Will post actual pics sometime next week.
capmaster Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 Going the 12-string route is not that easy indeed. I look forward to your evaluations on your new purchase.
cookieman15061 Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 Beautiful guitar and although I have no experience with Dean I do own a Ric 360 12. I seem to go through phases with it, where the thin neck frustrates me to no end but the beautiful tone and chimey-ness (?) (LOL) keeps me playing it for hours. Enjoy.
Searcy Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 My only decent acoustic is a 12 string. I keep thinking of getting an electric 12 as I really love them. I have given serous consideration to the Dean Boca and the DanElectro 12's as , like you said, they are the only budget minded 12's out there these days. Let us know how you like it.
BigKahune Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 . Looks really nice. I'm a big into 12 strings and I'm looking forward to your take on your new Dean Boca. Congrats and be sure to let us know what you think. . B) .
sg50 Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 I love that 12 string sound, but I can't deal with tuning them. A 12 string is one instrument where I'd want a GSpot tuner.
rct Posted October 4, 2014 Posted October 4, 2014 I have never owned a 12 and probably won't ever. I generally put down the open/first fret area, then an octave up, then an octave above that. Approximately, just move the chords up the neck. So I end up with three tracks at least. Pan 'em and mix 'em and BAM! instant 12 string. Nashville tuning is good too, thoughtful mixing can make a really airy 12 string sound. rct
darling67 Posted October 4, 2014 Author Posted October 4, 2014 Going the 12-string route is not that easy indeed. I look forward to your evaluations on your new purchase. cap, I will tell you what I think of this Dean as soon as I have played it a bit! Beautiful guitar and although I have no experience with Dean I do own a Ric 360 12. I seem to go through phases with it, where the thin neck frustrates me to no end but the beautiful tone and chimey-ness (?) (LOL) keeps me playing it for hours. Enjoy. I once had a Rick 620-12 many years ago. I dug the sound, of course, but that thin neck sure was a nuisance sometimes! I sold it a long time ago, and the damn thing is probably now worth triple what I bought it for in 1994. My only decent acoustic is a 12 string. I keep thinking of getting an electric 12 as I really love them. I have given serous consideration to the Dean Boca and the DanElectro 12's as , like you said, they are the only budget minded 12's out there these days. Let us know how you like it. Searcy, that Dano was also a consideration—forgot to mention that one. I was almost going to get it it... it would have given me that "Jimmy Page" look in 12-string form! But it's the cheapest of the cheap, and I wanted to make sure I got something slightly more.... substantial(?). Thanks for all the replies, Gents! I will post pics and a "review" next week.
the dog Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Very nice 12 string. A friend of mine had a 12 string years ago. I don't remember what kind. It was the only time I had an opportunity to play one. I just played some open chords and really like that full sound.
flyingarmadillo Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Nice! Besides pictures when you get it, maybe put up a track or two so we can hear it? I've got several 12 strings including a Ric 360 12, but actually prefer this: I got it new a few years back. They're discontinued now, but if you're looking for a nice electric 12 and don't want to pay for a Ric, it's worth hunting one of these down. Quality is excellent - they're MIJs and right up there with the American Series in quality.
RevDavidLee Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 My only 12 string is this one by Alvarez. Bought her at the local Alvarez dealer a few years back specifically for some songs we were recording in the studio and have truly enjoyed it ever since. In addition to the spalted maple sides and back (which are stunning) I love the onboard tuner that actually is a 12 string tuner which is wonderful for keeping her perfectly in tune. Here's the specs: An Artist Series 12-string jumbo with spalted maple back and sides, solid spruce top, and integrated electronics. The Alvarez AJ418C-12 cutaway acoustic-electric guitar from the Artist Series combines a solid spruce top with spalted maple back and sides to create a stunning crossover package with integrated electronics. Built on the jumbo platform, the AJ418C-12 jumbo guitar possesses great internal air volume and delivers sound that matches its name. Deep, round tones swell from this 12-string guitar, with fat mid frequencies for defined and vibrant projection. The guitar's solid spruce top offers full and balanced tone that only gets better with age. The spalted maple back and sides present a very punchy midrange presence, while also offering a truly striking appearance. Responsive and full, it still offers well-balanced tone that cuts through the mix. The rosewood bridge and fretboard offer clear and lasting sustain, while the nickel die-cast tuners offer precision tuning, and the cutaway design gives full and comfortable access to the guitar's upper-register frets. The included Alvarez System 600T MK II Preamp/EQ is designed to offer the finest acoustic guitar tone reproduction available. The System 600T MK II provides a broad range of sonic control, mixing capability for different combinations of piezo/magnetic/microphone transducers, and features an on-board digital chromatic tuner. Equipped with a piezo pickup mounted under the bridge saddle, this pickup is connected to the Piezo input of the System 600T MK II. The Alvarez guitar will perform perfectly with this pickup/preamp combination. The AJ418C-12 acoustic-electric guitar also features many amenities that set it apart from other 12-strings in this price range, such as the beautiful multiple body binding, the white pearl rosette, and the signature Alvarez 3-piece inlay in the 12th fret. This 12-string jumbo guitar will turn heads and pique the interest of anybody in earshot. Features Body Style: 12-String Cutaway Jumbo Back: Spalted Maple Sides: Spalted Maple Top: Solid Spruce Fingerboard: Rosewood Fingerboard Inlay: 3 Piece Alvarez 12th Fret Bridge: Rosewood Body Binding: Multiple Soundhole Rosette: White Pearl Tuning Machines: Nickel Die-cast Finish: Natural I'll run and take a few pictures. Back soon
RevDavidLee Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 Here you go! By the way - I love the look of that Dean Boca. Looking forward to your review
darling67 Posted October 9, 2014 Author Posted October 9, 2014 NGD has arrived! flyingarmadillo… I will do my best to post some audio, but I can't make any promises. I can tell you that it sounds great to MY ears… and I love the smaller "LP Special Double Cut" size. But, for the time being, here are some pics of my new Dean Boca 12! My phone's camera is pretty lame… doesn't do the trans amber finish justice.
Gibson Artist Posted October 9, 2014 Posted October 9, 2014 NGD has arrived! flyingarmadillo… I will do my best to post some audio, but I can't make any promises. I can tell you that it sounds great to MY ears… and I love the smaller "LP Special Double Cut" size. But, for the time being, here are some pics of my new Dean Boca 12! My phone's camera is pretty lame… doesn't do the trans amber finish justice. One of my friends has this green dean hollowbody i forget the name, its absolutely beautiful and sounds great. Kinda looked like a cross between a riviera and 175. I tried it and thought it played great. Yours looks sweet too, Congrats!
Gibson Artist Posted October 9, 2014 Posted October 9, 2014 Here you go! By the way - I love the look of that Dean Boca. Looking forward to your review What is the beautiful back wood on your guitar?
darling67 Posted October 9, 2014 Author Posted October 9, 2014 One of my friends has this green dean hollowbody i forget the name, its absolutely beautiful and sounds great. Kinda looked like a cross between a riviera and 175. I tried it and thought it played great. Yours looks sweet too, Congrats! Thanks! I dig it already. What is the beautiful back wood on your guitar? I believe it's an all-mahogany body.
Searcy Posted October 10, 2014 Posted October 10, 2014 Here you go! By the way - I love the look of that Dean Boca. Looking forward to your review I have to say I love my Alverez 12 too Rev. LOVE The Boca! Looking classy.
RevDavidLee Posted October 10, 2014 Posted October 10, 2014 I have to say I love my Alverez 12 too Rev. LOVE The Boca! Looking classy. Alright! I am not alone Looks nice Searcy!
RevDavidLee Posted October 10, 2014 Posted October 10, 2014 What is the beautiful back wood on your guitar? Spruce top. Back & sides are spalted maple
RevDavidLee Posted October 10, 2014 Posted October 10, 2014 Here's another Alvarez 12 string I used to own. No case came with this so I made one out of wood which weighed so much I got rid of the guitar and the case went with it. It was a rarity for sure. :)
darling67 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Posted October 10, 2014 I can officially confirm that my purchase of a Dean Boca 12-string was a wise one! Sat with it for a while last night, and played it through my tiny little Fender Mini amp (stop laughing!). I don't have a real amp at the moment… just my Line 6 Pod emulator, and I didn't feel like digging it out last night. The neck on this Boca is nice and wide—kind'a like my SG's neck. As such, it plays a lot easier than my Rick 620/12 that I once owned. Fiddled around with the different pickup configurations, and—just like the case with my 6-strings—I'll most likely stay in the bridge position 85% of the time. Speaking of the pickups, they are not the most bright and lively ones I've heard. But this guitar has a nice sound, regardless. Just need to play it in treble mode, depending on what you're playing of course. I am hoping to use it at a future company sponsored Gig Night… maybe pull out some Byrds tunes, or perhaps wow the crowd with a stirring cover of "The Song Remains The Same".
RevDavidLee Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I can officially confirm that my purchase of a Dean Boca 12-string was a wise one! Sat with it for a while last night, and played it through my tiny little Fender Mini amp (stop laughing!). I don't have a real amp at the moment… just my Line 6 Pod emulator, and I didn't feel like digging it out last night. The neck on this Boca is nice and wide—kind'a like my SG's neck. As such, it plays a lot easier than my Rick 620/12 that I once owned. Fiddled around with the different pickup configurations, and—just like the case with my 6-strings—I'll most likely stay in the bridge position 85% of the time. Speaking of the pickups, they are not the most bright and lively ones I've heard. But this guitar has a nice sound, regardless. Just need to play it in treble mode, depending on what you're playing of course. I am hoping to use it at a future company sponsored Gig Night… maybe pull out some Byrds tunes, or perhaps wow the crowd with a stirring cover of "The Song Remains The Same". For the price of those (and your company discount included) I don't know how you could go wrong on that one. And I have to say it brother - for where you work there is no earthly acceptable reason why you don't own a "real amp". I mean c'mon man..
darling67 Posted October 12, 2014 Author Posted October 12, 2014 For the price of those (and your company discount included) I don't know how you could go wrong on that one. And I have to say it brother - for where you work there is no earthly acceptable reason why you don't own a "real amp". I mean c'mon man.. You are correct on all counts, Rev! I have had my eye on several for a while now.... a VOX AC30, a Fender Blues DeVille, and an Orange amp (model escapes me). But what happens, whenever I find myself in a position of having some buying power, I end up with another guitar! Someday...... soon......
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