9 string guitars

[blackjack]

Hi All, you are the only guys I can think of who would know the answer to this question! One of the great thing about blues is discovering "new" artists that you stumble on. I am ashamed to say I had heard very little of Big Joe Williams,until recently. He has a great vocal attack,writes good songs and has a real,raw guitar sound. When I first heard him, I thought he was playing a 12 string, but although apparently he used one latter in his career,the earlier stuff is a modified normal guitar made into a 9 string (Normal low three strings, with the top three doubled up as a 12 string). This was reported to be a homemade job, but his sound is really full and I wondered if anyone makes them commercially? Jack.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jack,

You are correct about Big Joe's guitar being a nine string, but rather than the first three strings (EBG) being doubled up, I think his guitar was 1, 2 and 4 (EBD) doubled up. The first two in unison and the fourth in octaves.

Nobody makes a 'Big Joe' guitar, so the best way to achieve his sound is to either buy a 12 string and use it as a 9 string, or convert a 6 string like he did. It is a great sound and for delta blues works really well.

We (Busker/MM) made a 7 string MM guitar for Ian Anderson (editor of fRoots magazine) a couple of years ago, this was a copy of Spider John Koerner's 7 string National with a doubled up G string in octaves.

Shine On
Michael.

[snakehips]

Hi there !

.... Then you need to tune the 9-string guitar to Open G.
Then get yourself a Dearmond FHC pickup and stick it to your guitar with an Elasteplast !

Dearmond FHC pickups are usually available on ebay for anything between 100-250 dollars.

That will give you a god basis to get towards that sound.

[blackjack]

Thanks Michael, that is really useful. If I got a standard 12 string and used a mixture of double and single strings as Big Joe did, would I need to modify the bridge? Cheers,Jack p.s. Think I may pass on the tape sticking the pick-up on,Snakehips !!

[toom]

The guitar itself - Baby Please Don't Go

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jack,

I don't think you would need to modify the bridge, but without trying it, I cannot be sure. You might need to adjust the string spacing on the bridge to make it feel just right for you, but it wouldn't be essential. I don't think Big Joe was too worried about accurate string spacing.

If I were looking for a 12 string to make into a 9 string, I would look for one with a narrow fretboard.

Good luck with it. Let me know how you get on.

Shine On
Michael.

[blackjack]

Thanks Michael, I really fancy having a 9 string, even if I will not sound like Big Joe!

Silly question - I have never owned a 12 string guitar, are there any particular models/manufactors that have a narrow fretboard?

Thanks, Jack.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jack,

It is not a silly question, but it is one that I cannot answer as I do not have enough knowledge of 12 string guitars. Maybe some forum members can advise you?

Shine On
Michael

[blueshome]

Done it with a Harmony Stella 12-string, stuck a cheap pick up on, Spanish tuning - great fun. Still didn't sound like Big Joe though!

[blackjack]

Thanks for the advice guys,much appreciated.
Don't think I will sound too much like Big Joe either,but it may be fun trying! I will let you know how the Black Jack 9 stringer works out..Jack

[mikenewport]

Hiya Blackjack, I am about to place a guitar add in 'Tin pan alley' section of this forum, which may fit the bill. If you, or anybody else doesn't want the guitar I might try the 9 string myself!

It's a y@m@h@ but the neck for 12 string playing is too narrow, in my opinion and experience, for accurate fingering of notes. I have been playing as a six string for the above reason. Mike