do 12 string guitars sound as good as 10

Jeff Hogsten · From: Flatwoods Ky USA

Here we go again, I dont mean to keep posting what seems to be controversial subjects but the main and only reason Im not playing a 12 is Ive been told they dont sound as good. Bud Carter told me he thought it had a lot to do with the pickup and the body is bigger. I was going to buy one off of Seynmour a couple of years ago but when I got there it just didnt sound as good as the other push pulls he had but then again no two of them sounded the same. Maybe the problem is we are tring to get them to sound the same kind of like everyone tring to get a guitar to sound like a push pull. Ive been listening to Pat Seavers on a GFI the last few weeks on tv and it is a great sound and stands on its own,different buty great. Maybe the same approach should be used on a 12. Just get a good one and take it for what it is. I would like to hear some feedback on this

Jeff

richard burton · From: Britain

I've noticed that 12's with a closer string spacing (at the changer) than the normal 11/32 sound nasal and unpleasant. Conversely, I have 10 string with wider spacing (3/ Cool

than normal that has a marvelous clear tone.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

My 12 string Sierra has wider string spacing than my D-10 Williams. Both are great sounding instruments.

I've never heard any proof that an S-12 doesn't sound "as good as" a D-10. There are plenty of great sounding S-12 guitars. My Sierra may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I used to play an S-12 Emmons push-pull that sounded just like their D-10 model, to my ears. If there's a difference, it's too subtle for me to notice.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

I have owned a D-10 PP Emmons, a U-12 Kline, and now a SD-12 PP Emmons. All of them have sounded great. I can't tell any difference between the 2 Emmons guitars, but then they both are on double frames. I don't know if there is any difference in a single frame and a double frame or not, but the extra metal and wood could conceivably make a difference. The Kline was a single frame. I like the double better. I really don't think there is any inherent difference between a 10 and a 12 string. I just put a TT pickup on my 12 string and Jerry wound it to 19.5 instead of the standard 18.5 that he uses on a 10 string. Because of the longer pickup, he said you needed 19.5 to get the same sound on a 12 as 18.5 gives you on a 10. So, perhaps some manufacturer's just wound their 12 string pickups the same as the 10's, not realizing that a 12 needed to be different ohms. I sure wouldn't stay away from a 12 string because of the sound. If there is any difference, it would be so subtle you wouldn't be able to hear it unless you were Buddy Emmons. If you compare 10 string guitars, some will sound better (or at least different) than the others. Thow a 12 string into the mix, and sure, it will sound a little different too. Maybe better, maybe not. Bobbe Seymour had a post once where he said the 12 strings usually sound a little better. I think it was the post I started "Do all Emmons PP have "that sound?"

Dave Ristrim · From: Whites Creek, TN

The only drawback to the 12 string is extra bar noise! For me, the advantages far out weigh that. I have been a 12 st. player since 1979 and plan on staying. Yes, I have played 10 string also, but don't like the lack of the low E.
Dave

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

I still think the 12's sound just as good, at least with my playing, I have played D-10's also & in all honesty like them both, but I do like having the extra bass strings on the E9th side of the E9th/B6th tuning and with the use of my capo at the first fret, still play all my ol C6th open string things like Hold It, Remington Ride etc. When I crank up that Kline in the Methodist Church it almost sounds like the Lord is playing it Himself. Jeff Newman turned me onto the Universals back in the 70's, ya all must admit he certainly sounded excellent on his.

Ernie Pollock

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Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I think that rotating your right wrist by a quarter of an inch has more effect on tone than D-10 vs S-12. It's a poor workman that blames his tools.

John Sluszny · From: Brussels, Belgium

No.They sound better!

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

MUCH better.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

David Doggett · Posted 9 Apr 2004 10:05 am

Any difference in sound has got to be so small it's not worth worrying about. Certainly pickups and amps make a much bigger difference, as do the hands. I play an S12U because it is more fun for me. There is certainly nothing about the sound of my 12-string Emmons p/p or Zum that would keep me from buying another one. Copedent preferences are the only worthwhile reasons to choose between a 10-string and a 12-string.

Scott Appleton · From: Ashland, Oregon

I have owned D10's S10's and recently a SU12
all have had thier unique tone and pedal action.
I have been able to pull a sound that I like out
of all these instruments regardless of make or model.

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Mullen S12
Acoustic 165 100W tube
71 Tele, Regal 45, Gretch
Lap, Columbia Lap, Line 6

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

My D12 Dekley doesnt sound near as good to my ears as my D10 Sho-Bud Professional, even though it sounds better acoustically.

Damir Besic · From: Nashville,TN.

who ever said that 12 string doesn`t sound as good as a 10 string is full of it.Sure that S-12 Carter wont sound as good as S-10 p/p Emmons,but thats just me.This beast, D-12 Emmons p/p resored by Bobbe was one of the best sounding guitars I have ever owned in my entire life.Sold it like an idiot

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[This message was edited by Damir Besic on 11 April 2004 at 07:14 AM.]

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

12 String guitars sound 20% better than a 10.

that's my story and I am sticking to it!

Ron

Ron Sodos · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

The tone is not in the 10 or 12 string design it is in the guitar and the player. I own a double 12 ShoBud and a double 10 Zum. They both sound great except the old ShoBud has a warmer tone. I bought the Zum because of 2 reasons. I wanted a second steel so I could practice more and I wanted something that didn't take a forklift to carry. The double 12 weighs a ton and getting older I can't hardly lift it anymore. I love and cherish both guitars..

Larry Lorows · From: Zephyrhills,Florida, USA

Jeff, If you're ever in central NY, stop in and try my Williams U12 keyless. I think you would not ever want a D10 to carry around after trying this guitar. Larry

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

If anyone ever doubts that a single neck 12 string can sound as good if not better than a double 12, they need to play and listen to my Williams single 12 Universal. Albert Svenndal

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

Same man playing, D10..S12, same tuning, same amp setup, same everything exept guitars,(same brand) no appriceable difference.

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Bill Ford

[This message was edited by Bill Ford on 13 April 2004 at 05:12 PM.]

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