buttle
I have 7 6-strings guitars, classical to top end steel, and I love them all, and play them all.
I am looking at getting a used 12-string off the net.
Does anyone around here know anything about 'old' Ibanezzizsses's
compared to original Epiphones or Yamahas?
There is an Epiphone PR 100-12 going for what sounds like the appropriate price of 1500.
There is also a very old Ibanez (slot head style machine heads) going for only 800. My concern with this is that it has been lying around unstrung for so many years it may have developed some neck or action issues. If this is not the case I am tempted to just GO FOR IT anyway as it does look rather unique and old worldly beautiful. I mean, 800 bux!!!!
Then there are some Yamahas. An FG-412-12 for 2k.
If all these instruments are technically and equally sound... which one is the better buy? Tonally or build??
Problem is I'm in jhb and the guitars are scattered around the country.
Any sane advice (I realize that I could just buy ALL OF THEM) would be appreciated.
I'll attach a pic of the Ibanez
Foottapiologist
That looks to me like that tailpiece is a mcguyver mod to compensate for bridge and bulge problems on that guitar. If you're into DIY repairs, and if the deterioration is limited, then great but if you pay a luthier to fix it, once they've costed in for every conceivable potential repair involved (they like to itemise it), it's not economically viable.
buttle
Yeh, I was scratching my head about that too. I just didnt know WHY! so thanks for that.
Does anybody know if Ibanez EVER used steel hanger pegboards like this? I've certainly never seen one...
Where can I find out? Apparently there is an original Ibanez sticker inside the soundhole... but the number is faded beyond recognition.
domhatch
me first (and thus far only) 12-string was a yamaha. was lovely. the fg series, from what i understand, is pretty entry level anyways, so maybe make an offer and see what they say if the photos look like the guitar is in good nick.
that ibbie looks fiddled with, but that headstock, to me, is a major drawcard. i agree that the old-worlde appeal of slots has more than a little come-hitherness to it. the tailpiece, as Foottapiologist has already rather sanely pointed out, could be a large, red, blinking warning light to some potential problem areas. just because there's a sticker amongst the bracing don't make for an original instrument. in my humble opinion, he opined, the main problem you're gonna have is 12 strings (probably 11 because who can ever stand that octave-g giving all the time, right, am i right?) putting a million tons of pressure on a potentially bollocksed neck.
the epi, well, it's an epi. you're pretty much not gonna go wrong in my opinion. they're not exceptional at this level, but they're never gonna suck, are they?
just another guy pretending to know what's going on but who really only did a little reading and owned one 12-string in his life
dh|
Squonk
Don't do it! ? With price of strings today.....
Just get a chorus pedal or some kind of simulation ?
buttle
My other concern about the Ibanez... is that it does not say IBANEZ on the headstock. Anywhere, and that should be a dead giveaway for BOGUS.
Nowhere on the web can I find anything about an Ibanez with slotted headstock, never mind the hanging tailpiece. BUT if it is actually THAT old, and came from one of the various early Japanese fabricators... errr, bring it ON!!! Then I will just hang it on my wall... for the occasional drooling session.
I just cannot find anybody that can verify its authenticity.
Foottapiologist
A quick google indicates that there was a Yamaha 12-string classical back in the day that looks similar to that guitar. Vintage 12-strings are usually in varying degrees of implosion due to the string tension but a classical 12-string (nylon) that's had steel strings fitted would be structurally toast I reckon
buttle
I found it, I found it!!
It' a 1965 Model No: 1290 with adjustable rod-reinforced neck. Spruce top, mahogany sides & back, rosewood fingerboard & bridge and a chrome plated tailpiece.
...and it's catching a train up to Jhb next week!
KEEP CALM
&
BUY GUITARS
Foottapiologist
Nice work. 8)
domhatch
splendid. pictures, pictures. the usual deal. ?
singemonkey
Is it too late to mention that '60s Japanese guitars were, to put it nicely, a bit crap? Japan really started making good guitars in the mid-70s.
Combined with the tendency of 12 strings to warp, I wouldn't touch it.
buttle
For 800 bux im going for it anyway. The worst that can happen is I get beautiful piece of history to hang on my wall... but on the other hand... what a luck if its SWEET!
domhatch
buttle wrote:
For 800 bux im going for it anyway. The worst that can happen is I get beautiful piece of history to hang on my wall... but on the other hand... what a luck if its SWEET!
i doubt it, but i buy the hanging it on the wall-history vibe. and you seem to know your stuff, so go for it. just start off with very light gauge strings in case that neck is stuffed. one thing i noticed is the scratch plate seems to be missing? see if you can find (or cut to fit) a tortoise shell replacement (not real, obvs) to fit the space - that'll add extra lekkerness.
and if it
is sweet, well... bonus!
dh|
buttle
The original was solid black scratch plate.
buttle
WOO HOO!
She finally arrived today... all in one piece... and only one string. No side cracks, no vibrating spars, nice clean fret board and nice smooth machine heads. Really looks like the schweet deal I was hoping for.
And [i]really[/i] made in Japan.
Only one small issue. One of the slots on the nut has collapsed. So how important is nut material to tone and volume?
My first thought is make one myself. Brass or 6061-T4 aluminum (never have this problem again), real bone (trad) or plastic (cheap and cheerful).
Any tips on the best way forward will be welcomed.
buttle
and some more...
Gearhead
Get a pre-cut nut at a guitar shop. Tusq is readilly available and even comes in 12 string; although most stores won't stock those, you could get them to order.
domhatch
Gearhead wrote:
Get a pre-cut nut at a guitar shop. Tusq is readilly available and even comes in 12 string; although most stores won't stock those, you could get them to order.
+1m on the tusq. that's gonna last you pretty much 'til kingdom come. if you're after preserving the guitar's integrity, which you 'somehow' seem to be, your only real other option is to get someone to cut you a nut that matches the original and run the risk of the same thing happening sooner rather than later.
rather tusq than tusker
dh|
