Any love for electric 12 strings?

Nice to see you. Pilgrim

 

If you have basically unlimited money, sure why not, fill your slots. If not, I would think about how much time I would spend on and enjoying it rather: between the 12 and that other guitar you want, which would you play more. That slot may be filled because that is where you spend the most time and having two flavors in that spot might be a good thing.

I would instead ask everyone with 12 strings - how often do you play them? I know many guitar players who havent touched their 12 in years, but will play several strats or teles (or Gretsch) in a week.

But what you really should do is buy a jet, like that DCM listed here, since you don't seem to mind projects.

 

Well Stardust - 3 comments from me

I love 12 strings guitars tone wise but never owned one cause too much trouble changing strings for me.
If I was ever gonna get one it would be either a Gretsch (no bigsby) or a Ric.

Having owned an Epi Dot, and a Sheraton II, imo a Gretsch 54 series Electromatic totally poos on both in tone and overall quality.

And signatures mean nothing to me - except it would get you a better sale price on it to someone over 50 who might remember MJ Fox

 

Henry,
Great question. Now, I use a 12 string about 40% of the time, due to fatigue and age. That is where the G5422-12 shines, for me. It is so easy to play and being amped, it projects so well, I find myself playing it more frequently. My son uses his 12-string acoustics about 80% of the time. He works in a hospice, and the sweet sound of a finger-picked 12-string has a calming effect. The Falcon Rancher has a unique light Gretsch jangly sound that is almost bell-like. For some people this draws them in.
You bring up a good point, if his patients love Johnny Cash, a 6-string seems to work better. From week to week, you never know. Some weeks the 12-strings sit, and the 6-strings becomes the go to tools.

 

I'll post the results on GT.

 

For a few years, in Nashville I used "free" Baldwin 6 and 12 string guitars. I have always like 12 strings, I have a Gibson SG 12 and a Taylor 912CE. I tried the two neck route, too heavy for me, but some were the same weight as the Gibson Lucille (23lb) so amybe it was the balance ob the double neck.

 

I don't have an electric 12 string right now, but if I did I think I 'd play it something like this guy...

 

Yeah.. it HAD to be a Rickenbacker for me and I have zero regrets.

Ric 330/12 Jetglo. Add compressor turned up to VERY squishy, lots of reverb and then knock out those classic riffs. Smiiiiile.

 

Same here. Had to be a Rickenbacker. Nothing else sounds the same.

 

They’re useful and interesting guitars. I’ve got a Burns Double Six (the modern one) with an almost 2” wide neck which is a bit awkward but means that I can finger-pick and there’s lots of room for arpeggios. Unfortunately I find the Rickenbacker 12 string neck a bit too narrow, although I’d love one; I struggle with my 360-6

 

I can't play 12 strings! I'm too lazy. Although I do appreciate someone who can play those beasts.

 

I love 12 strings. Have 4. Gretsch 5422 12, an Ovation Acoustic 12, an Ovation Deacon electric 12 and a Fender Strat 12. Guess it goes back to the folk song era.
Almost forgot I also have an Epiphone double neck

 

Lead Belly, Pete Seeger, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, any others?

How about Leo Kotke?