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Post by Pickers Ditch on Apr 25, 2019 11:01:23 GMT
PD, there were various ways of stringing 12 string guitars, I can’t tonight, but I’ll write something about it on here. Shine On Michael Are your thoughts and typing fingers ready yet, Michael?
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 25, 2019 11:20:54 GMT
Hi PD
I have just written a note to remind me to do this for you. It'll happen over the next day or so.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Apr 29, 2019 19:43:38 GMT
Well, the Statesboro', having had the nut and saddle sorted to proper spacing, is now fitted with a set of Newtone Heritage custom 12-51s tuned to Vestapol C and it plays and sounds good. We decided to leave the string heights as standard and I'm glad we did because this allows me to play just the thicker, bassier strings on the bottom without bringing in the higher octave unless I want to. However, if I do want to bring in the higher octave I just press the slide harder. Now I've got to learn to play it properly. ...and as I can't have MMs Havana 12 or an old Stella 12 this one'll do.
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Post by jono1uk on Apr 29, 2019 21:33:59 GMT
MM has a Stella 12 ..wow ..
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Nov 9, 2019 13:20:50 GMT
I've just doubled up the 2 x 3rd strings to unison using a pair of 0.20s a la Big Joe Williams.
Much better sound to my dodgy ears and easier to play slide, too.
Maybe I'll lose the high octaves on the bottom three sometime to go the full Big Joe.
I'll let you know.....
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jun 19, 2020 8:34:17 GMT
Now fitted with a Newtone MONEL Heritage 13s set with a pair of PLAIN 22s in the 3rd string slots. (Thanks Neil!). Lifted the action by tweaking the bridge saddle and truss rod a fraction. Tuned to Vestapol B, the guitar feels a bit tighter but is easier to play with a slide and sounds much better. I think I've got it to where I want it now. NB - playing this beast has improved my 6 string slide "skills" as well, I fink.
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Post by blueshome on Jun 23, 2020 12:20:43 GMT
Having heard one of these guitars played alongside my Fraulini 12 (it had the string spacing sorted), I was very disappointed with the sound. Chalk and cheese. The owner has since sold his guitar on.
I know you get what you pay for but that bass boom that you expect from a long scale, ladder-braced 12 was not there.
Having said that the sound was nearer to the “old” sound than can be achieved on a modern 12 or a 60’s Harmony Stella (I have one) so I suppose it depends what you want in terms of sound and what you can afford.
Given the cost of an old Stella or a Fraulini it is probably the only solution for most folk who want to get into the McTell/Leadbelly sound.
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jun 23, 2020 13:16:12 GMT
You are absolutely right in all respects, Phil - I totally agree with you. Cost and my age were the biggest reasons for going for the Statesboro'. (and string choice seems to make quite a difference to it, too). If I was a fair few decades younger and was going to really get involved in 12 string slide I definitely would have gone for a Fraulini or super refurbished Stella - I just don't think I've too much waiting time left. So, you youngsters go for a Fraulini, Bown or better still an original but in the meantime I'm happy with what I've got.
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Post by snakehips on Jun 24, 2020 9:04:35 GMT
Hi there !
Does the Brett guitar have a long scale ? (Circa 26 1/2 to 26 3/4 inch scale length ?)
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jun 24, 2020 9:11:32 GMT
Yup!
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