• From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Topic: My new baby

Today I have become the proud owner of a Melody 1200 guitar from the mid to late 60's I believe.  Here are some on-line photos of a similar one: http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/recan … /1200.html

Mine may be a little older than this as she does not have the transfer on the headstock, she also has a black bridge and has a different, circular label. The zero fret means that she has a beautiful low action and she plays a dream, albeit a little on the quiet side but new strings may help that.

There is one of the bracings that needs re-gluing (Mondays job when I re-string her) and I shall have to electrify her in the next week or two. I have not yet decided what system to use but it will probably be a Shadow one as they are readily available. I am toying with the idea of putting in a pre-amp with tuner which means cutting a hole in her side or wondering if perhaps I should keep her as original as possible and use a clip-on or stick-on system. Decisions, decisions!! I would appreciate your views on this.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Madeira Beach, Florida
  • Registered: 2007-12-05
  • Posts: 3,312

Re: My new baby

Roger - I have no opinion on your electrifying options, just wanted to say Happy NGD! A good playing / sounding 12 string is a thing of beauty.

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!
  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: My new baby

Well, I hope you get many good miles on her, Roger.  I wouldn't change her looks with electronics, but that's me.  Stick on would be OK.   Anyway, good luck to ya.  Fine looking guitar

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: My new baby

Happy New Guitar Day!!!! That is a vintage beauty. I bought a Dean Markley Pro Mag clip on and did not like it at all. IMO install one it's worth it or just mike it.

All the same....that is a lovely guitar not sure I'd put a hole in her.

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: My new baby

How nice that you know how to do your own work.  That is a good skill to have learned.  The guitar is a beauty, and I'm sure yours is just as nice if not better.  Now I have to plan a trip to Portugal to play her... 

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: My new baby

Jeff, Pete and Geo,

Thanks for the comments. I am very much in two minds as to what to do although I do like the idea of having a built in tuner for a 12er.

Zurf,

I have accomodation arranged for you and, although there is not too much fishing around here  (many rivers dry up in the summer) know a lake where you can dangle a hook for an hour or two.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Clarion PA
  • Registered: 2008-05-18
  • Posts: 328

Re: My new baby

Congrats on the new guitar Roger. Personally I don't think I would be cutting into this beauty. I would stay with a clip-on pick up or transducer. Again that's my opinion. Anyhow, Happy New Guitar Day!

Don't take life too seriously, you're not getting out alive anyway
  • Registered: 2009-11-16
  • Posts: 605

Re: My new baby

Yo can just send that puppy to my house; I'll clean it and feed it and dress it up and play with it every day. LOL

  • From: Rio Grande Valley, TX
  • Registered: 2008-06-12
  • Posts: 245

Re: My new baby

Happy new guitar day, and please feel free to enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forgive your enemies, but always remember their names!
  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
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  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: My new baby

Nice Roger !

Don't cut a hole in the side there are a lot of very good pickups that just require drilling out the end pin. I have a B-band that has a preamp and all it takes is drilling out the end pin. I also have a LR Baggs that I installed that doesn't have a pre-amp and it works great also. There are a lot of great acoustic pickups that don't require altering the guitar. Most are very easy to install.

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: My new baby

Happy NGD Roger!  Your new baby is beautiful... probably even more so than the one pictured.  I wish you two many years of making much beautiful music together!  big_smile

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

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  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: My new baby

Beautiful Roger!! smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: My new baby

Very nice Roger! 

As for electrifying it... How're your others electrified? Do they have pre-amps or do you already have a preamp that you can feed through? By shadow, Are you talking the brand or as reference to a under bridge transducer set up? I hear people use "shadow" for both smile
You have a few options here... You could go USP, But it can be hard to find ones that sounds good and fits well for a 12'r, especially if you have to go the ordering route.  I'd personally stay away from cutting into the sides for electronics, But that's more just personal tastes than anything else... I like my electronics hidden smile I'd probably go with the under bridge transducer set up myself... Most run hot enough to play without a pre-amp anyway or you could always pick one up later if you feel it needs a little more umphhh. UBT's are funny though. The smaller the transducer the brighter they tend to sound, so I'd look for a larger size for a 12 so it highlights more of the bass and mids. K&K makes an excellent 3 transducer set up for 12's that works really well and doesn't need a pre-amp (although it does help) but they run around $100... You'd also need to measure your bridge plate to make sure all 3 transducers would fit. Using 3 separates the sound more and helps prevent it from becoming muddy or all blending in together and I think this is key for a 12 string because there is already so much going on.... Sorry if the post is jumping around some smile I'm just kinda thinking out loud here wink   

As a side note I have a Shadow brand UBT in my DY-50 and it sounds good for the money (about $60) but haven't ever heard one on a 12 so I can't say how well they would perform in that application...

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: My new baby

Ooooh, Oooooh !!! Very nice Roger !!! Congrats. If I were you I would not dare touch ( i.e. butcher) the body of this fine guitar. I'd get an in-hole pick-up that gently clips inside the sound hole, or just mic the guitar. That's one fine piece of art work there buddy !!!

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Give everything but up.
  • dino48
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: My new baby

Hi roger,and a happy guitar day to you,I have always loved twelve strings but hated to tune them.I am sure you will enjoy the great sounds that you get out of yours. As for electrics if you visit a place that sells clip ons etc you might take it there and ask to try some different things.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: My new baby

Thank you all for you comments. Although I like the idea of having a built in tuner particularly for twelve strings I am now convinced that cutting a large hole in her side to accomodate one is not the thing to do.

'Shadow' (brand name) produce several different types and some are available at my friend's shop so I will try a few out and see, well hear, what they are like. The under saddle pickup which I have used on other guitars may not work on this one as the bridge is adjustable but I am very interested in the K&K 3 transducer system that 'Pix mentioned. This also uses a jack socket that replaces the strap button she will still look in her original condition with it fitted.

I will keep you posted and try and get some actual photos of my baby i  due course.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website