Think I may need help???!!!

Big-G

So, I am truly discovering just how dangerous the interwebby thingy can be! There should be strict policing of the interwebby thingy that stops pages like this being shown! Its not good for the human condition!!

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars/ltd-guitar/pc-212.html

I think I'm trying to work out if it would be more cost effective to see a shrink, or just buy one of them?! ?

Cheers
Big 'Gasoholic' G!

psyx

A serious case of chronic GAS, hey?
I guess if I had unlimited funds I would buy a piece of gear every day of my life! ?

But nice guitar though!

Big-G

I could only dream of owning one of these! I think they are going to carry a serious price tag here in the good ol' US of SA?!

Still the GAS is still troubling me!

G!

AlanRatcliffe

Pretty, but I generally advise against any 12-string with full size humbuckers. 12-Strings generally sound best with brighter sounds and cleaner amp settings. Humbuckers are not only fatter sounding, but are relatively high output and in conjunction with 12 can put out a very high signal level. This is especially true with the more affordable guitars, where the humbuckers end to be on the higher output side anyway

So take a look at the Danelectro 59 12, the Italia Rimini 12 or the Eastwood Classic 12.

Chocklit_Thunda

Then would you suggest PAF type pickups for a 12 string or even lower output?

AlanRatcliffe

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: Then would you suggest PAF type pickups for a 12 string or even lower output?

Nope - the only humbuckers that make the cut are Filtertrons and occasionally minibuckers. And even then, a true single coil will usually win out over them (IMO). And even a low powered single coil will put out a lot of signal in a 12.

The thing is, electric 12-strings are all about the jangle - the reason the Ric 12s always win on sound? Maple body, maple necked guitars with low powered single-coils and the ability to mix in less of the neck pickup in the middle switch setting.

Even P90s tend to be too fat and muddy. On my electric 12, which has humbucker sized P90s, I fitted a bass cut control that filters out most of the lows, that's the only way I can get the P90s to work. Without radically changing amp settings when I plug in the 12.

Oh! ...another thing: matching neck and bridge pickups work best, rather than a hotter bridge pickup - gives you a better middle position setting.

Malkav

Alnico IIs aren't THAT high output, I'm sure you could get reasonable results with them at least ?

Also Alan all your suggestions are kinda uggos ? I'd rather get this one and swop out the pickups then have to stay drunk and in a perpetual state of beer goggles just to live with the sight of my guitar 8)

AlanRatcliffe

Chad Adam Browne wrote: Alnico IIs aren't THAT high output, I'm sure you could get reasonable results with them at least ?

Then you would be surprised. Twice as many strings, and all but one of the extra strings unwound, means more than double the output. That means an Alnico II pushing as much signal as an Invader... comprende?

[img]http://Also Alan all your suggestions are kinda uggos ? I'd rather get this one and swop out the pickups then have to stay drunk and in a perpetual state of beer goggles just to live with the sight of my guitar 8)[/img]
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or in your case the beer-holder ?).

To a 12-string enthusiast, these are things of beauty:

Big-G

Not so keen on the looks of the Danelectro, but I know they do sing, but the other two are pretty nice, especially the second pic!

If ever I get to the position where I can seriously consider getting a 12 string electric, I'll take all these thoughts into consideration! Thanks!

G!

vic

Alnico11 HB's may not be that high output but they're still a wee bit muddy on the base notes...I actually listen to that last night.

I'd say that IF you want or need an electric 12-string, get a Rick...tried and trusted. Think Harrison, Byrds,....

AlanRatcliffe

Vic wrote: I'd say that IF you want or need an electric 12-string, get a Rick...tried and trusted. Think Harrison, Byrds,....

...and Petty (he and Mike have an impressive collection of 12s between them).

They do sound the best ('specially into a Vox) of all the electric 12s, but the necks are damn near unplayable for me and many others. It's a thin, narrow neck, even for a six string and they cram 12 strings onto it. The tailpiece design makes it the worst guitar in the world to restring (no exaggeration).

On top of that, the company is an absolute pain to work with and refuse to update or upgrade their products in any way (we've always made 'em like this and we are selling everything we make, so no need to change), despite widespread and long standing demand from their own player community.

That's why I opted for the Dean Sarasota (out of production now). However, I'm still trying to nail the tone down - I've got something workable, but not quite there yet.

BTW:
=

Reinhard

I quite like this one and he performed a song you might recognise on it.

Sure it has 2 necks, but everyone knows red ones go faster 8)

If weight is an issue

General question, do 12 string guitars tend to be a bit neck heavy? I would assume 12 grover tuners on a SG could be quite the nose diver?

vic

Nice stuff there Alan and Reinhard.

I think you right...I once attempted a shot at a Rick ( should maybe not mention names just incase...)..It was completely out of tune....and I didn't have much time...oooh what a mission...so eventually I just manage to do the intro to 'I'll never find another you" :?.....so desperatly also wanted to do the intro to Mr Tambourine Man"...but gave up on the tuning..LOL !

AlanRatcliffe

Reinhard wrote: General question, do 12 string guitars tend to be a bit neck heavy? I would assume 12 grover tuners on a SG could be quite the nose diver?

Abso-damn-lutely! I usually advise replacing the buttons with the mini pearloid or ebony models, which can shave off quite a bit of weight. A fat leather strap helps too.