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Post by bonzo on Jun 6, 2018 16:06:50 GMT
Hi guys, been thinking awhile about a 12 string reso. Don't want to unload a load of dosh on a National (new or old), so am thinking of converting something I already have. Prime candidate is a nice tricone I have. Well actually I have 2 and the one I'm leaving alone is a Busker tricone with highlander pickup fitted.
Once saw on YouTube a guy extending the headstock on a hotrod to make a 6 string into a twelve. This was for sale by hotrod, not a personal project, it's always stuck in my mind as a way to go.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Best wishes to you all, John
Ps. On the other hand, if anyone is looking to move on a 12 string reso I would be interested. Biscuit, tricone or spider.
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Post by pete1951 on Jun 6, 2018 20:15:07 GMT
I have done an old Eko 12 to reso conversation, there maybe some photos somewhere if Photobucket has not deleted them! And I did once repair a Dobro that had been converted 6 to 12 which seemed to work ok (I was told it had belonged to Sting, there maybe a photo of him playing it somewhere)What would be good is to find a wide necked reso with some damage to the head,and repair it by adding some extra wood, it’s a shame to do something like this to an undamaged guitar.
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Post by ricks on Jun 7, 2018 10:01:35 GMT
Bonzo, if you want to go a different route, how about going to 8-string? - adding 2 octave strings to the D & G ( middle strings ) will give you close to a 12-string sound, & you could do that without major surgery ( or double up the top 2 if you prefer, or any combination you like, or even go the full Big Joe Williams & have 9 ) ; I've done this on an acoustic, & it works well, & I always find the basses on a 12 tend to be too muddy/clattery anyway - plus, you'd have a pretty unique reso!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2018 10:05:09 GMT
Bear in mind that 12 strings can be a beast to get in tune John!
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Post by pete1951 on Jun 7, 2018 15:51:51 GMT
The 8 string thing could be done without changing a slotted head guitar at all. A banjo m/head can be squeezed into the slot between the top of the head and the 3rd or 4th m/heads, (you might have to make a little washer/bracket to fill the slot a little ). I think I posted a photo on a thread about someone who drilled a hole for a banjo machine in the middle of the head.
PT
I am also looking at a 12 string conversation using the Rickonbacker (Ricken? Rickan?) Head system
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Post by bonzo on Jun 7, 2018 17:02:55 GMT
Like the different ideas, thanks for the input guys. You might remember that there have been posts about my 7 string MM O style reso, so I'm kinda familiar with the concept.
I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a 12 string reso, I won't muck about rejigging decent guitars. It's something that has taken my fancy.
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2018 15:59:49 GMT
I converted a 12st dread to a 12st reso for a friend. I was an unpleasant tricky job, and I wouldn't do it again. He likes it though. TT  |
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Post by pete1951 on Jun 9, 2018 7:38:10 GMT
The Rickenbacker 12 string head might be one way forward. The slot in the headstock would have to be made a little longer, and the 2nd 2nd and 5th string would rub on the post of the next string down (I have seen this on commercial guitars). New nut and saddle and your done.  Here's what it would look like, the slot would have to be increased by about 1cm to stop the m/head buttons clashing, and some short blocks glued in the slots to support the new m/heads. If light strings are used there may not be any extra major work needed. PT |
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Post by Bottleneck John on Jun 11, 2018 16:35:03 GMT
I rebuilt a 6-str Republic to a 12-str back in 2012, a while later I saw HotRod doing the same mod on some 6-stringers!  Have a look at it here, I just added some wood to the head and cut new slots, more or less.. No big deal, an easy mod, I sure recommend a try!! BJ  |
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Post by bonzo on Jun 11, 2018 16:54:20 GMT
Thanks BJ,I've seen you play it many times! In fact you're one reason I'm keen on one! Maybe next time you're around West London we can pop up the garden shed and make one! (I had to be so careful with my words there!)
Always enjoy your vids, the missus is also quite a fan!
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by Stevie on Jun 11, 2018 16:58:34 GMT
Pete- you've kindled a flame! I bought a Romanian bouzouki from D Kilpatrick and at the time he said they could be converted to a cittern (the neck is plenty wide enough). I bought some 12 string machine heads to cut down, partly because I didn't want to add real estate like John. (my wood working skills are clumsy!) but couldn't squeeze them in to the slots. I figured I could put two banjo pegs in the top but as usual, left brain Pete fleshes out another approach. That's going to play on my mind now!
e&oe...
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