12-string or not (Page 1 of 2)

DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT (ad infinitum)

As far as which to get, get the one that feels better in your hands.  At five months along, you're probably pretty comfortable with a few chords, and probably know which ones are stretches for you.  Play the comfort chords AND the stretch chords on each guitar and see which one fits your hands, the playing style you have, and the sound you like (of course sound can be adjusted some with string changes). 

Did I mention to do it? 

I should listen to my own advice.  There's a 12 string in my local shop calling my name.  I drive by on the way home every day and it calls to me  (Zurf...  Zurf...   Come in here.  You're wife will only be angry a little while...  Come and get me...  Think how "Peace Train" would sound when you play it on me...  Hello, Zurf...)

- Zurf

Ummm? i`ll watch this thread closely as i too am drawn to buying another acoustic!
How much more difficult is it to play 12 from 6 strings? am a fairly beginner too........ Hark! is that a 12 stringer yodeling my name? lol

Micky

Dont Stop Kid Keep Rockin'  !!

Yeah, Zurf. Funny thing is my wife's father used to have one lying around the house more years ago than I'd like to admit to, and i used to love playing it. Too many fluffed chords and too much whisky have maybe clouded my judgement.

I know a fat-fingered fellow who bought a twelve string with the intention of using it with six strings so that he could have more space than a folk guitar, but not so wide and flat of a neck as a classical.  I guess it worked OK for him.

- Zurf

I had a '60s Mossrite double neck guitar with a six string neck above and a twelve string below. That sucker weighed 40 pounds but what a sound!
My best buddy bought a Epiphone 12 string acoustic guitar that held a tune better than any guitar I ever saw. He was a tugboat captain and took that 12 string out on the boat in any weather and brought it back to me almost in perfect tune. A deckhand stole it and broke ole Captain Dick's heart. 12 strings are usually a booger to tune but that Epiphone was sweet.
I found a Yamaha 12 string at a yard sale for $200 U.S. I had it set up by my favorite guitar guy and it played fine down low and sounded great. The nut broke at the first string so I strung it up with nylon strings as a six string and gave it to a friend when he retired. His hands had been injured as a boat builder so nylon strings enabled him to play barre chords plus he liked the mellow sound.
toots

Thanks for the encouragement, etc. There was never any doubt I would purchase a 12-string it just irresistable but I am holding off ofr now. I continue to watch Craig's list like a hawk...EVERYDAY.

I have been playing the guitar and banjo for 50 years.  I have had a lot of 12 string guitars in that time.  I sell one off, I end up buying another.
My only advise would be,  always have a good 6 string,,,never just have a 12 string.  If you can afford it, always had both.  john

i have played about 20 different 12 strings and only owned one .... some are easier to play than others and dont sound like what you want ... dont buy a 12 string just because it is a 12 string .... really take time to get around it ..... play it for 30 minutes at least before you buy it - not 5 or 10 ... thats the only words of wisdom i can offer .... and thats from someone who has wasted loads of money over the years on rubbish instruments ....

i would also add that it aint always the fancy name on the top that gives the sound you are after .. whether 12 string or 6 string or any instrument ... you have a certain sound in your head and know the feel you want from an instrument .... if it dont feel or sound exactly how you want .... be prepared to walk away and wait till you get what you want ....

Good for you, naoslager.  Good luck.  Hope you enjoy

I would love to have one and have been close to getting one. The only thing that has held me back is I am lazy and I have a hard enuff time changing strings on 5 guitars on a regular basis and just the thought of twelve is kinda scary. But I love playing a twelve string and after a few minutes it gets comfortable and sounds so sweet.
  I wouldn't use one for everything but, on some songs there is no comparison to a twelver.

One more thing. Talk about getting out of your comfort zone. Last year I couldn't even spell guitar (although I desperately wanted to learn to play one) and now I own four including the aforementioned 12-string. Even if I can't really play anything yet I (think) I look cool trying. And I've enjoyed ever hour and minute of it.

I tuned up my 12 stringer last week and had a right good jam wit hanother two 6 stringers.
Gives that certain oooomph in a jam session.

Ken