So I'm busy playing and my hand falls off...

aja

Barre chords on an acoustic with 12 gauge strings and skyscraper action are hard! >:(

grrr...

(old forum) Poll Results: Solution?

Tune down semitone: 4
Use lower gauge strings: 4
Play electric instead of acoustic: 2
Take up harmonica: 0
Play more "frets on fire" or "guitar hero": 0
Finger exercises?: 2
Lower the action: 5

Capricorn

lower the action :?

aja

Capricorn wrote: lower the action :?

Im scared! ☹

You make it sound so simple... :-\

The action isn't thaaaaat high, but high enough to make things tricky above the 7th fret.

I need to get a proper setup, but I am not sure what specifications I want yet.

RobK

Specifications? I'd start with - stop my hands from falling off when I play ?

Keira-WitherKay

heya Aja there's a trick that makes barre chords much easier ...it's in the technique and hand position.... if you in my area or near one of my gigs... pop in i'll show you ..it's helped many students who never could play barres before...it's a technique i picked up from doyle dykes the solo gospel fingerstyle player in states...........it removes a lot of stress from your "barre ' finger ... also yeah get the guitar well stup...even on my nylons i go for a low action to allow me to play as much as i do....... without fatigue... so i use good technique, a super low action and detune a half step heheheh yeah who says playing guitar should be a physical struggle ......

Renesongs

Besides playing Stairway to heaven and slicing potatoes into ultra thin chips I've never found much use for a 12 string. Takes forever to tune, a b*tch to play and sounds like an acoustic through a cheap chorus pedal. *ducks for cover* ?

Riaan

slicing potatoes into ultra thin chips

:roflmao:

I gassed for a 12 string some time ago, but I think I'm now cured of that!

Bob-Dubery

aja wrote: Im scared! ☹

You make it sound so simple... :-\

The action isn't thaaaaat high, but high enough to make things tricky above the 7th fret.

I need to get a proper setup, but I am not sure what specifications I want yet.

You were at the first of the Andy McGibbon's workshops, so you know how to check the neck relief. Did you do that?

Since you're in a cautious mode (which is not a bad thing), you might want to just CHECK it, not actually change anything.

Keira-WitherKay

Renesongs wrote: Besides playing Stairway to heaven and slicing potatoes into ultra thin chips I've never found much use for a 12 string. Takes forever to tune, a b*tch to play and sounds like an acoustic through a cheap chorus pedal. *ducks for cover* ?

Riaan wrote:
slicing potatoes into ultra thin chips
:roflmao:

I gassed for a 12 string some time ago, but I think I'm now cured of that!

guys have you seen what a 12 can do ....... check out the john butler trio from australia ... they rock and he even uses overdrive on his 12.... love this band ......

and yeah no end to how any instrument can be used...... so yeah maybe a 12 is just being a hint off centre but can be used to fabulous effect ......

PeteM

Hey guys Aja is talking about 12 gauge strings - not a 12 string guitar ???

Keira-WitherKay

heheheh yes ........ he is heheheh sorry guys ... but hey AJA maybe you can get a inspired for a 12 now... heheheh you know it's wierd that we misread this heheheh must be some karmic forces at play wanting us to talk about 12 strings..

DonovanB

ha ha Pete you are right. I missed that one...

I personally like very soft strings, 9's onmy elesctric and 10's on the acoustic (when I play it) but the action also needs to be very low as well.

Then again if I pick up an acoustic it's a Nylon.

PeteM

Hey Aja - I would recommend that you start with using lighter gauge strings and then look to lower the action if you're still struggling. Yes you might sacrifice timbre - but hey, at least you'll be able to play the thing!!

Squonk

Aja are you talking about the Takamine?

aja

RobK wrote: Specifications?

Like what I want the action to be etc...

Keira WitherKay wrote: heya Aja there's a trick that makes barre chords much easier

Hmm, sounds good! After my exams I will come visit for a lesson or two anyway, can't wait!

Renesongs wrote: Besides playing Stairway to heaven and slicing potatoes into ultra thin chips I've never found much use for a 12 string. Takes forever to tune, a b*tch to play and sounds like an acoustic through a cheap chorus pedal. *ducks for cover* ?

12 string, what?

X-rated Bob wrote: You were at the first of the Andy McGibbon's workshops, so you know how to check the neck relief. Did you do that?
Since you're in a cautious mode (which is not a bad thing), you might want to just CHECK it, not actually change anything.

I will do that thanks! Just haven't had the time to give the guitar a good lookover ?

PeteM wrote: Hey guys Aja is talking about 12 gauge strings - not a 12 string guitar ???

Keira WitherKay wrote: but hey AJA maybe you can get a inspired for a 12 now... heheheh you know it's wierd that we misread this heheheh must be some karmic forces at play wanting us to talk about 12 strings..

I love 12 strings! I don't mind talking about them too!

PeteM wrote: Hey Aja - I would recommend that you start with using lighter gauge strings and then look to lower the action if you're still struggling. Yes you might sacrifice timbre - but hey, at least you'll be able to play the thing!!

But I like my fatty strings

Squonk wrote: Aja are you talking about the Takamine?

Yep, that's the one!

PeteM

Quote from: PeteM on Today at 08:06:53 am
Hey Aja - I would recommend that you start with using lighter gauge strings and then look to lower the action if you're still struggling. Yes you might sacrifice timbre - but hey, at least you'll be able to play the thing!!

But I like my fatty strings

??? Then struggle on.

shadow1

@KEIRA - that is the very FIRST time i have watched an acoustic piece and thought it was SUPER COOL, really enjoyed that 2nd vid of that dude...jeesh im speachless...mad skill

aja

PeteM wrote: Quote from: PeteM on Today at 08:06:53 am
Hey Aja - I would recommend that you start with using lighter gauge strings and then look to lower the action if you're still struggling. Yes you might sacrifice timbre - but hey, at least you'll be able to play the thing!!

But I like my fatty strings

??? Then struggle on.

No I take your advice seriously!
I think I will get 11's or 10's next time. Bending 12's is a difficult too, although I am not much of a bender.
Would you say I could eventually go back to 12 once my hand strengthens or is it better to stay on a lower gauge? What gauge do you use?

Bob-Dubery

aja wrote: No I take your advice seriously!
I think I will get 11's or 10's next time. Bending 12's is a difficult too, although I am not much of a bender.
Would you say I could eventually go back to 12 once my hand strengthens or is it better to stay on a lower gauge? What gauge do you use?

I'd look at the setup anyway. Going to lighter strings to compensate for a bum setup isn't an optimal solution.

12s can certainly be bent. And if you can bend them then you can do serious damage on an electric ?

I used to go for lessons with John van Nierop, and he bends 13s no problem. Though not, admittedly, into Jerry Donohue territory.

Squonk

12's should be fine, If you bend those you will bend anything. ?

Get 11's next and if they dont work out go back to 12's

I am using 12's on my Takamine and they are very lekker, and this is after using 11's for a couple of years.

Use your GAS and buy a 2nd acoustic so that you can compare the strings together ?