Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Thoughts on 12 String Guitars

G McBride

By G McBride
in Gibson Acoustic

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 51
  • Created
  • Last Reply
ksdaddy

ksdaddy

Posted
Posted

I've had a few. My only current one is a '69 B45-12, which in my mind is the standard of all 12 strings, some better, some worse. I can't recommend one without having it checked out because they have had structural problems.

 

If I didn't have one and wanted a 12 string to noodle on without breaking the bank I'd lean towards a Seagull.

 

My $.02, nothing more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Thermionik

Thermionik

Posted
Posted

.

.

Gill - play a few before you decide.

Some folk take to then like ducks to water.

Others find the fistful of strings hard to finger cleanly and can't tune them, let alone play.

YMMV but buying a good older one may pay dividends - buying a new one can be kinda

disgruntling when the string tension bellies it up in a couple of years - just past warranty.

Go play some at the local music store or friends or whatever - do NOT buy one without playing it.

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ryanfender

ryanfender

Posted
Posted

I had a Seagull SM-12. It was a fine guitar. However, strings are twice the price. I was always tuning it. If any string is a little sharp or flat it sticks out like a sore thumb. If you like it, try it. I just didn't take to it, plus the pains of owning it. So, I sold it but I not because I didn't like the Seagull.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Taylor Player

Taylor Player

Posted
Posted

I have owned a few 12 strings over the years. I love them, but typically they got the least amount of playing time so I moved them on for something different. Actually trading away my last (and best) 12 string is what brought me to Gibson with my Advanced Jumbo trade. I personally feel that the end result of trading my Taylor 454CE-Ltd for a Taylor T5 which then was traded for my Gibson AJ, was to my advantage as my AJ gets a ton of play time.

 

That said, if your going with a 12 string you have to try Taylor. Nobody since the old Guild 12 strings has made a better 12'r. If you can find an old Guild 12 string, you will likely be in 12 string heaven, but Taylor is the current king of 12 string guitars in my opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
stevef

stevef

Posted
Posted
I have owned a few 12 strings over the years. I love them' date=' but typically they got the least amount of playing time so I moved them on for something different. Actually trading away my last (and best) 12 string is what brought me to Gibson with my Advanced Jumbo trade. I personally feel that the end result of trading my Taylor 454CE-Ltd for a Taylor T5 which then was traded for my Gibson AJ, was to my advantage as my AJ gets a ton of play time.

 

That said, if your going with a 12 string you have to try Taylor. Nobody since the old Guild 12 strings has made a better 12'r. If you can find an old Guild 12 string, you will likely be in 12 string heaven, but Taylor is the current king of 12 string guitars in my opinion. [/quote']

 

Old (1967) F212 Guild... $2250.. It's a nice sounding and looking guitar. It was a little "quiet/mellow" when compared to a "repaired (no-trapeze bridge)" B45-12, that they had (and sold for $900something). If I had the $900something I would have bought the Gibson.. I have an old LG-12.

Here's the Guild..

buckf212.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
onewilyfool

onewilyfool

Posted
Posted

If you are talking 12 strings, you are talking 70's Westerly R.I. Guilds. They are built like TANKS, and they sound like a small orchestra. Any used 12 string needs to be checked for neck bow, neck reset, neck twist. Guilds of this period are great because they have a double truss rod, so you can allow for the difference in tension on the neck caused by the 12 string beast. Another thing to check on used 12 strings, is frets, especially in the "cowboy chord" area......There is someting about 12 strings that just eat frets, much faster than a six string. If I refretted an old 12 string, I would go with stainless steel frets. Guilds of this period, are hands down the best 12 strings ever made. I had a 74 Guild G312NT, that was a beast. The top on this thing was really thick, but that didn't affect the sound at all. You could strum a chord, go make a sandwich and come back to hear it dying out. Another thing to consider, changing 6 strings is a task I don't like much, but changing 12 strings is a chore. So, being lazy, I tended to leave them on a long time. 12 strings (prior to the clip on tuners) were hard enough to keep in tune, but with stretched out and dead strings, almost impossible. LOL.....but it still sounded good. I have played some Breedlove 12 strings that are good, but can't stand that bridge design. I have NEVER played a Martin 12 string that I liked. Gordon Lightfoot used to play a Gibson 12 string, and he sounded good. Good luck on your hunt

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Thermionik

Thermionik

Posted
Posted

.

It's a 1960 Zemaitis 12-string which Pete Neal had borrowed from somebody. There was a photo session at a studio in Great Newport Street and there was a film crew there too. It seemed like an astonishing coincidence that the borrowed guitar was strung left-handed..... and that false start meant the film ran out early.

 

I think the movie came out in October '73, filmed from '66 to '70 and directed by Joe Boyd and John Head - it's called simply Jimi Hendrix (originally it was going to be See My Music Talking) and is an engaging watch. The US version may have been called A Film About Jimi Hendrix.

 

"Getting My Heart Back Together Again" or "Hear My Train a'Coming" was recorded December 1967 - couple of days later Hendrix did Olympia, Christmas On Earth, with The Animals, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Move, Traffic, The Softies and a shed load more. Hendrix came on in the wee small hours - and I was deaf for most of Christmas.

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ajsc

ajsc

Posted
Posted
If you are talking 12 strings' date=' you are talking 70's Westerly R.I. Guilds. They are built like TANKS, and they sound like a small orchestra. Any used 12 string needs to be checked for neck bow, neck reset, neck twist. Guilds of this period are great because they have a double truss rod, so you can allow for the difference in tension on the neck caused by the 12 string beast. Another thing to check on used 12 strings, is frets, especially in the "cowboy chord" area......There is someting about 12 strings that just eat frets, much faster than a six string. If I refretted an old 12 string, I would go with stainless steel frets. Guilds of this period, are hands down the best 12 strings ever made. I had a 74 Guild G312NT, that was a beast. The top on this thing was really thick, but that didn't affect the sound at all. You could strum a chord, go make a sandwich and come back to hear it dying out. Another thing to consider, changing 6 strings is a task I don't like much, but changing 12 strings is a chore. So, being lazy, I tended to leave them on a long time. 12 strings (prior to the clip on tuners) were hard enough to keep in tune, but with stretched out and dead strings, almost impossible. LOL.....but it still sounded good. I have played some Breedlove 12 strings that are good, but can't stand that bridge design. I have NEVER played a Martin 12 string that I liked. Gordon Lightfoot used to play a Gibson 12 string, and he sounded good. Good luck on your hunt[/quote']

 

 

 

Could not agree more. Long time ago before I loved Gibson's (before Montana, & Ren) I loved all things Guild!!

They made fine guitars, & I loved that they weighed a ton!!

 

=D> :D/ =D> :D/ =D> :D/

Link to comment
Share on other sites
drathbun

drathbun

Posted
Posted
That said' date=' if your going with a 12 string you have to try Taylor. Nobody since the old Guild 12 strings has made a better 12'r. If you can find an old Guild 12 string, you will likely be in 12 string heaven, but Taylor is the current king of 12 string guitars in my opinion. [/quote']

 

 

Ditto! +1000 :-k/

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hall

Hall

Posted
Posted
I have been thinking of getting a 12 string. I have never played one but have always like the full sound that they produce. Anyone have any experience that can pass down some pros and cons to help me decide.

 

 

 

G.

 

I recently spent a month or more looking into the purchase of a 12 string. My final decision was to pass. I felt it was a a bigger care chore responsibility than I wanted to take on at present' date=' and there was still, at least, one more particular 6 string model I wanted to own before I went to a 12. My real comment here is; if I had purchased a 12 string I would not have been satisfied with any instrument less than the top model of the big guys. I could see, hear and feel the difference as I went up the ladder in the search.

 

[b']edit[/b]: 17:50 hrs, I agree with jkinnama, who said it first - jumbo = " meat and potatos"

+1, jkinnama

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rambler

Rambler

Posted
Posted

A 12 is on my back burner as something Id like to have. As have many others here, Id shout out the Guilds. The Taylors, Larries and recent Martins Ive tried tend to be more on the feathery side (read: un poco cajones); Guilds and Gibsons are on the bluesy side of the street. I would seek out a jumbo vs a dreadnaught (square) box for a 12 stringer: the compact jumbo body contains the overtones these things generate.

 

The gold standard-- Paul Geremia (Dyin' Crapshooters Blues). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8Ybvexbilk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...