David Lock

I am thinking of getting an electro acoustic 12 string guitar. Budget around £150. Probably a new one rather than e-bay. This for my lad who is a reasonable guitarist so this would be a back up to his Strat 6 string and acoustic. I'll probably let him have the final choice but I'd like to get some ideas and do some research.

So what are the names to look out for and what should I be asking?

Would a 12 string fit into a standard 6 string acoustic hardcase (Yamaha I think)?

Thanks, d

Dracoro

You won't get much for £150.

David Lock

11 strings then?

I wondered that - so what would be your suggestion/budget please?

And what do you reckon to e-bay - I just think you need to handle and play before buying. What do you think?

d

JUMBO ACOUSTIC / ELECTRIC 12 STRING GUITAR. BRUNSWICK on eBay, also Other Electric Guitars, Electric, Guitars, Musical Instruments (end time 27-Dec-07 10:55:38 GMT)

??

Iain Young

When I used to work in a music shop, we sold Brunswick guitars and they were definitely the lower end of the market.. Reasonable build quality, but very "solid" and used fairly cheap machine heads etc (I replaced quite a few).

Wouldn't touch a cheap instrument myself. Tend to be difficult to play and don't sound that great...

mrtheedge2u2

Rickenbacker do some nice 12 strings..... but a little more pricey than 150 sheets

Dracoro

I paid £400+ for a Seagull 12 string accoustic about 6 years ago.

David Lock

OK chaps - thanks for sensible comments. So rare on SN these days

I guess I was being a bit naive about the price........

Looks like plan b) then. My boy is due some dosh from PRS for a couple of songs he wrote so we might wait for that and I'll ask him to contribute. Trouble is that the money has been due for ages and chasing up doesn't seem to get him anywhere. Be patient I suppose.

Back to my e-bay question. Would you guys buy a guitar from e-bay without trying it first??? d

Iain Young

Absolutely not. A musical instrument is a very personal thing which may suit you or not, (you can get large variations even when trying two of the same model). You really need to get the feel of it before handing over your cash...

Just my opinion though

SiPie

Tanglewood TW1200 NS CE 12 String Guitar

David

If you don't like this I promise I will buy it from you for £150 so effectively you only lose £50 if you don't like it.

Sold mine to a work colleague recently to free up some space and now miss it

Strong recommendation

David Lock

Thanks again guys. SiPie - thanks for that. In fact I had a chat with the guy in the shop about the Tanglewood in your link. Food for thought - I may well pm you about this in the next week or so if that's OK. d

SiPie

Honestly David, it's a serious offer.

I keep meaning to buy another one but it's a 'nice to have' as opposed to a 'must have'...

Feel free to PM me if you feel the Tanglewood is a viable choice

Good luck

Iain Young

Tanglewoods can be quite nice if you get a good one. Quality tends to be a bit "variable" though so I'd definitely want to try before you buy...

SiPie

Have owned 4 and apart from a slightly poor bit of 'overglueing' on the cheapest of the 4, all have been top notch..

However, totally agree that you should undoubtedly try before you buy anyway

Iain Young

They may have improved, it's been a few years since I was selling these things

Sonic'

Only one 12 string in the 'reasonable' budget range and that is the Yamaha 12 string APX-5-12A, I have one in black, and it plays as easy as my Yamaha 6 string and sounds fantastic

I paid about 360 for mine, but I know they started selling for much less, and Buzzer (used to be on here) bought one a few months after me for 179 brand new (as a newer model was coming out)

Its not too big a guitar and is in fact the same size body as its 6 string brother

Here is a pic

Iain Young

I've got the 6-string version of that and it's great

Nate

iTrader: (2)

Now, as this 'seems' to one of those rare helpful threads ( ), could you please point out to me the reason for a 12 string ?

I have recently, started taking lessons, and have got quite into Guitars (though still profess that I know nothing about them).

David Lock

Bear in mind that this is for my son who doesn't know this thread exists so there are others here who could give you a decent answer from a player's perspective

But I know that James wants one because he does a bit of writing and recording so it will give him more options and a different "sound" where he wants it. He recently got a bass for the same reason.

As a non-player I compare it to fishing - there's always a need for another type of rod "just in case". Like golf as well I suppose.

I suppose I got to like the 12 string sound after hearing Richie Havens playing Freedom at Woodstock

Sorry - not much help I expect (typical of SN )

d

========

Sonic, Looks good, thanks.

Sonic'

So have I

SiPie

*Nate*

This summarises what a 12 string does

Twelve string guitar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I didn't make nearly enough use of mine and reckon I sepnt longer tuning it than I did playing it

David Lock

Well James, my lad, and I went off to Guitar Junction in Worthing today and James tried out quite a few 12 strings. We bought a Tanglewood TW15/12NS-E model in the end (12 string electro acoustic, 1 year old). Twice the budget but James is very, very happy with it. It's a really rich, solid sound and sounds great even when unplugged.

I couldn't afford an acoustic amp so he will have to use his standard 6 string electric stuff. I just wonder how much we will miss out on breadth of sound doing this?

So a happy ending and thanks for advice and to Si for pointing us in Tanglewood's direction

d

Sonic'

David

I have a really nice Acoustic Amp, 30W with XLR input too so you can use it for smallish venues (pubs etc) and plug your guitar and mic in

I think mine is a Tanglewood was reasonably expensive, but I got it for 99 quid

Has built in effects too, but you don't need it amp'd up in the house, unless James is going to take it on the road then he can live without an amp for now

David Lock

The shop in Worthing had a neat looking Tanglewood amp. 15 watt at around £70. Small enough to carry around easily and ideal for him as he does some stuff at schools but probably not powerful enough for a pub gig. d