Who here plays a 12 string steel

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 3 Nov 2011 7:36 pm

I've had 5 of them from a 70's Zum extended E9 to two current Zum U-12's an older MSA and an MSA M3. I don't know any other way to play.

Eugene Cole · Post by **Eugene Cole** » 3 Nov 2011 8:52 pm

I can not imagine wanting to go back to less than 12 strings!

My Universal 14 is my guitar of choice. Currently my D10 and S10 (combined) are played less than 2% of the time that I play PSG.

If I could afford to purchase a brand new guitar I would want another U14 or possibly a U15.

For many of us that like extended tunings; a new PSG with only 10 strings would be a deal breaker.

Gary Newcomb · Post by **Gary Newcomb** » 4 Nov 2011 3:27 am

I learned on my trusty Sierra S-12.
A few weeks ago I scored an early 70's sho~bud D10.
It's hard to get used to the ergonomics but the Tone is undeniable.
I love having all the options in one neck but as far as the sound goes... I'm forever tweaking the amp to get clarity in the low strings while taming the shrill out oh the highs.

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 4 Nov 2011 5:32 am

Me too!
John Buffington

George Crickmore · Post by **George Crickmore** » 4 Nov 2011 5:54 am

Its 12 string E9/B6 Uni for me. BMI til the day I die.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 4 Nov 2011 9:35 am

Count me in Mike...changed from a S-10 to a Universal S-12 in 1982, and that's the way I'll stay.

Micky Byrne U.K.

Sho-Bud and Carter universals,
Nashville 400 and Evans Fet 500 lv in split cabs.

David Langdon · Post by **David Langdon** » 4 Nov 2011 1:33 pm

Been playing my own build keyless 12 for about 15 years now.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 4 Nov 2011 1:54 pm

David, nice to see you on here....post pictures of your home builds...they are master pieces. Would like the forumites to see them. Guys, this is David who ressurected my burnt Sho-Bud a few years ago. Some of you may remember the thread.

Micky Byrne U.K.

Sho-Bud and Carter universals
Nashville 400 and Evans Fet lv 500 both in split cabs.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 4 Nov 2011 1:57 pm

Me too. about 5 years , no going back, everything on one neck and less weight....

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 4 Nov 2011 4:36 pm

Gary Newcomb wrote:I learned on my trusty Sierra S-12.
A few weeks ago I scored an early 70's sho~bud D10.
It's hard to get used to the ergonomics but the Tone is undeniable.
I love having all the options in one neck but as far as the sound goes... I'm forever tweaking the amp to get clarity in the low strings while taming the shrill out oh the highs.

Gary, you can get the Sho-Bud tone with a new Jackson, and they do make a U-12. (They made Robert Randolph a 13 string)

On a personal note, I never liked the way Sierras sounded. It's no surprise the the 'Bud sounds better.

Les Wright · Post by **Les Wright** » 5 Nov 2011 1:57 am

Tried in the nineties and went back. Finally committed a few years ago and have difficulties orienting on a 10 string now. Mullen Royal Precision and a new Excel Superb keyless.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 5 Nov 2011 4:14 am

Got my first S-12 in '77 from Nash's Music in Inglewood, Ca. It was a maple body in a beautiful blue finish. About 1990 I got my first BMI U-12 which is still my main guitar. I also have an SD-12 BMI which has 6 FP and 5 KL. My main S-12 BMI has 8 FP and 5 KL. I just couldn't stand being without the bottom two strings as 95% of my gigs are with me as the only lead and they really come in handy for "power chords" and keeping the sound "full". You guys who also play lead guitar, imagine not having your low E or A strings..........JH in Va.

Norm Fletcher · Post by **Norm Fletcher** » 5 Nov 2011 9:03 am

Never played anything else. Started with an MSA Extended E-9th and last year got an MSA Millennium with universal setup. Sometimes I'd like to try somebody's E9th 10 string but I play a Day setup and aren't many out there.
Anybody play a Day setup in Albuquerque? LOL

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 5 Nov 2011 9:38 am

I started in '72 on an MSA U12 and have never looked back. Switched over to MCI in the early '80s. Now I've got an MSA "The Universal", a red Dekley U12, a slate blue MCI U12 and an rosewood mica Emmons S12U. All are terrific guitars and I won't part with any of them.

To me, the universal tuning is the only to go.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 5 Nov 2011 10:23 am

Another U-12 player here.In answer to Mike's original question,the decision to go into regular production on a U-12 probably depends on whether ETS is selling enough to afford building a U-12 on spec and seeing whether it too sells.Me,I think the U-12 concept is just great and I have the sense that it's becoming quite popular.

Allan Jirik · Post by **Allan Jirik** » 5 Nov 2011 8:34 pm

I have an old MSA S-12 completely apart. I accumulated all the additional parts I need over the summer. I look forward to playing it eventually!

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 6 Nov 2011 3:41 pm

I play SU12. I am lucky that I bought a MSA millennium new around 2003.

Never looked back.

R2

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 6 Nov 2011 5:15 pm

I've played D-12s since the early 70s. Still have and play the two in my signature.

Eugene Cole · Post by **Eugene Cole** » 6 Nov 2011 9:07 pm

Gary Newcomb wrote:I learned on my trusty Sierra S-12.
A few weeks ago I scored an early 70's sho~bud D10.
It's hard to get used to the ergonomics but the Tone is undeniable.
I love having all the options in one neck but as far as the sound goes... I'm forever tweaking the amp to get clarity in the low strings while taming the shrill out oh the highs.

Gary; one of the things that I have determined is that having the right pickup gets rid of the need to constantly tweak the EQ and/or the amp.

If you want access to the inherent tonal contouring of both an C6 pickup and and E9 pickup then you want coil taps. Many builders wind the pickups for these necks differently to instill distinct tonal coloring; but for some reason they do not include tapped coils.

A good pickup with 2 or 3 coil taps is just something that I want on all of my PSG's. In fact I currently have a custom EMG pickup in my Sierra and I am seriously thinking of going back to the original Sierra pickup which has 3 coil tap options.

__________________________________

Mike Perlowin wrote:This is a spin off of the ETS Pictures thread.

The question arose on that thread as to whether there are 12 string players enough to justify new builders like ETS to make a 12 string model.

I have played a U-12 almost since day one. When I sit down at a ten string I feel the bottom half of the guitar is missing.

Mike; it seems pretty clear that for many a 12 string is the minimum that they will choose. So to not make a 12 string for any (new or established) PSG builder would be shooting yourself in the foot in terms of offering products which will be considdered worthy of writing the BIG CHECK to order a brand new guitar.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 6 Nov 2011 10:19 pm

I bought Cowboy Eddie Long's Sierra U12 a few weeks ago.
I am exploring it

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 7 Nov 2011 3:12 am

1970.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 7 Nov 2011 7:23 am

Mike; it seems pretty clear that for many a 12 string is the minimum that they will choose. So to not make a 12 string for any (new or established) PSG builder would be shooting yourself in the foot in terms of offering products which will be considdered worthy of writing the BIG CHECK to order a brand new guitar.

You might think so, but this has never been the case with certain brands. Several choose not to build 12 strings. I would be playing a 12 string LeGrande III to this day but there just AIN'T NO SUCH THING.

I just went through b0b's vendor links. These don't appear to offer 12 strings on their websites
(my apologies if this info is incorrect)
BenRom
BSG
Desert Rose
Emmons
ETS
Justice
Rayline
Rains
Rittenberry (?)
Simmons

I have a ShowPro 12 string and don't believe Jeff is really offering one any more. Some builders just don't choose to offer a 12 string for one reason or the other -- usually financial.

On the positive side, there are several mfgrs who have always been '12 string friendly'. Bruce Zumsteg, Jerry Fessenden, Bud Carter (he plays one), Gene Fields, Del Mullen, and others have offered 12 strings as a standard model for years. For vintage guitars, there are quite a few 12 string push-pulls and Buds out there, plus ZB and BMI (Zane Beck played one), and a few Marlens and other brands.

I've never had a hard time finding one to buy when I'm in the market, but it is important to point out that not all brands offer 12 strings.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 7 Nov 2011 9:17 am

Larry Bell wrote:

On the positive side, there are several mfgrs who have always been '12 string friendly'.... Bud Carter (he plays one),

Prior to starting Carter Steel guitars, Bud's personal steel was a beautiful 12 string Sho-bud that he completely rebuilt. I'd love to get my hands (and feet) on that guitar.

I've never had a hard time finding one to buy when I'm in the market, but it is important to point out that not all brands offer 12 strings.

True. It is a limited market. But this conversation evolved out of my desire for a lightweight, no-frills, aluminum body, 12 string fly-guitar. And since even the manufactures who build 12 stringers don't make one, I said, and still believe that if one of them did, they would have a corner the market.

Bobby is probably correct in that there are not enough 12 string players who want such a guitar to make it profitable for all the manufacturers to make them. But I think there are enough to support one.

Mike Ester · Post by **Mike Ester** » 7 Nov 2011 11:03 am

Count me in as an S12U player. Been using one since 2005, and I really like it.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 7 Nov 2011 12:36 pm

'Love S12U!
I have single-wide body S12U's from Emmons (push-pull S12U), Zum, and Sierra.

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Who here plays a 12 string steel

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Who plays a 12 String