|
|
Post by myk on Dec 28, 2013 11:49:49 GMT
Hi
i am planning to set up my 12 string for slide in open G tuning, this is what I intend to do. I will remove a pair of strings so the finished guitar will have 10 strings (5 pairs). This will allow me to open up the space between the pairs of strings which I find quite cramped at the moment, the neck at the nut is narrower than my Washburn. The space between the pairs will remain the same.
Should the upper surface (the point of contact with the slide) of the strings be set to the same hight, at the moment the under side of the string (point of contact with frets) seems to be the same level, which can cause problems when using the slide as you have to press hard enough to make contact with all the strings and can sometimes catch the frets.
Any thoughts?
myk
|
|
|
|
Post by mitchfit on Dec 28, 2013 17:17:47 GMT
which strings will be removed? i assume from the "5" sets, only one string? or string pair?
would the resultant difference in string spacing on the same guitar [played at the same time] be less problem to adapt to than the too close spacing of your current set up? or just top or bottom set.
not wanting/wiling to get another guitar with a wider bridge/nut?
what kinda tension #'s will be created in open G with the extra strings?
personally i find 12 string slide to be very "busy" in overtones. YMMV.
not trying to argue or get illiterate with you about your decision, i realize that you know what you want.
more in the way of clarification for further discussion.
mitchfit
|
|
|
|
Post by pete1951 on Dec 28, 2013 17:36:56 GMT
re: string height .
I have a 12st resonator with strings as low as pos. at the nut. This does mean that slide notes on the 1st fret are clean on the thick string and can rattle on the thinnest of a pair. I don`t notice any trouble on (or rather over) the 2nd or 3rd frets. Having both strings level with the slide playing surface would cure this ,but fretted intonation (not good on most 12sts) would be very bad. I would think that the treble strings (the plain ones at least) would play sharp on the 1st fret. If you are only playing slide ,then fine, but I just don`t play slide on the 1st fret on my 12 string.
PT
|
|
|
|
Post by blueshome on Dec 28, 2013 17:59:57 GMT
12-string slide can sound great as long as you control the sound with a good touch of the slide and palm damping the strings. I have 2 12-strings, both with a standard fingerpicking set up, one (short scale) kept at concert pitch or one step down, and the long-scale down at A or B. Both are fine for slide without having wide fingerboards or removing strings.
myk, how wide is the nut on your guitar? Does it have a flat fingerboard?.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Dec 28, 2013 19:32:51 GMT
Hi Myk, My 12 string is set up with the plain strings at the same height, and the wound octave strings just a fraction lower than the main strings. It has a very wide fretboard and the string spacing of each pair is wider than on most 12 string guitars. Wide enough for me to pick them separately if I want to. These photos may be helpful...    Ever since I first heard Blind Willie McTell I have loved 12 string slide guitar. Shine On Michael |
|
|
|
Post by zak71 on Dec 28, 2013 19:37:25 GMT
These photos may be helpful... They certainly help me drool every time I see them.  Every time I tell myself " I have all the instruments I ever wanted" - a photo of THAT guitar shows up. |
|
|
|
Post by mitchfit on Dec 28, 2013 20:20:01 GMT
^^^^
..."Every time I tell myself "I have all the instruments I ever wanted" - a photo of THAT guitar shows up."...
if you have gotten it down to the point that MM's 12 string model is the ~only~ guitar which causes your
Pavlovian response, Freud would have called your current condition the point of "anti-cathexis".
hope to recover to that point myself, some time in the future...
mitchfit
|
|
|
|
Post by zak71 on Dec 28, 2013 20:26:43 GMT
After years of obsessive guitar hoarding, I came to the conclusion that what makes me happiest is old Nationals, pre-WWII ladder-braced flattops, and I also need a good banjitar and mandolin to keep me feeling complete. I sold off a lot of the stuff that gathered dust in the past couple of years (including an obscene amount of electric guitars and amps). I currently have more old Nationals than I deserve, along with a gorgeous 1920s Stromberg-Voisinet similar to the one in the Charley Patton photo, and recently came into possession of a 1920 Gibson 6-string banjo. I also have a '29 National Triolian mandolin headed my way shortly. Life is good, and yes, Michael's 12-string is pretty much the only guitar that makes me break into a cold sweat these days.
On a 12-string-related note, I usually play this guitar in standard tuning (tuned half an octave down to Ab or A) but the past few days I've been enjoying it for slide:
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2013 23:48:48 GMT
Can we get a little video demo of your National 12, MM?
I found a Best of Willie McTell a few years back and of course the hunt for a 12 soon followed!
I ended up with a 64 Gibson (catchily titled the B25-12N) and it is great for standard tuning WMc like Broke Down Engine etc, but absolutely abysmal for slide, and I an see the different heights of the strings is the cause. The old jokes about tuning 12s apply...
BluesKing777.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikenewport on Dec 29, 2013 14:42:02 GMT
I seem to remember a recent thread about 12 strings being set up with 9 strings but can't seem to find it, this may be an alternative option. Is it necessary to up the gauge on the treble strings as you would with a option6 string guitar?. Michael that is a beautiful guitar. Re stringing on the National, thinner bass strings at the top, don't some have that reversed ie with thinner strings at the bottom of the 'pair'. Mike Still can't find the thread but I'm sure there was discussion about Big Joe Turner and his '9 string' 12 string, if you see what I mean  |
|
