The Steel Guitar Forum

I have decided to move up to a U-12 and the Williams has caught my eye and interest. I know there are a half-dozen or so Williams U-12 owners out there and this post is primarily direct at you folks, although anyone with relavant input to my inquiry may certainly post. First of all, I am interested in your feelings and thoughts on your Williams guitar. Beyond that, I have interest on your choice of pickups and why, and whether or not you have an S-12 or an SD-12. I've played a D12 ShoBud for years and have gotten used to that neck under my arm when playing the E9, but am just as comfortable on the C6 without any support. I guess it's a mind thing when you get down to it but I would appreciate any pros and cons with regard to single neck vs single neck on a double body w/pad. As far as pickups go, I've have George-L E-66's on both necks of my guitar and have been satisfied with the sound. But, I've seen so many different pickups available now (George L's and Lawrence) with so many different sound qualities that I'm amiss as to what I should be looking for. Any input or insight would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Carl


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ShoBud D-12 6 & 10, Matchbox, Profex II, Session 500

I was used to the "loafer pad" for years, as I have had 2 ShoBud LDGs. I bo't a Williams Sl2 a little over a year ago, and it does not have a pad, there is no place where I would rest my arm, but I hardly give it a tho't, and have not had any problem with the fact that there is no "resting pad". Further, I really like the Williams guitar. If you are thinking of getting one, it would be a good choice. The pedals and levers move smooth with a minimum amount of travel.Williams guitars play great and look great. Bill Rudolph does a superb job.

What was the motivation for moving to a U12? I ask because I can't imagine what you're missing with your D12 guitar... Is it a weight thing? Just curious.

-Travis

Hi Carl, I have a Williams U12, keyless and I would recomend one any time. The only thing wrong with my guitar is the C6th levers are too far to the left. I wish I had ordered them more in the center of the guitar. That's my own dumb mistake, not Bill's. I'll have to bite the bullet someday and fix it so I can reach the vertical lever easier.
People talk about the tone of this guitar or that one, but I believe any sound can be achieved with the right EQ and effects. I personally, love Curley Chaulker, Herby Wallace, and Buddy Emmons. All different tones but they can be reached with the right effects. Buy a Williams, you'll be glad you did. c ya Larry Lorows

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U12 Williams keyless 400
Evans SE 150, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt

One reason I play a U12 is for the lighter weight. I could never understand why anyone would want that extra weight that comes with the SD style. As I get older, weight is more of a factor.......JD

Yes Travis, weight is the dominating factor in my decision. But, equally as important is the flexibility offered with current technology such as triple-raise/triple-lower. My D-12 is single raise/single lower. I guess that's why Paul Franklin Sr. built it with 10 floor pedals and 6 knee levers. Heck, if I got rid of some of them, I'd probably knock off 20 pounds or so.

Carl


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ShoBud D-12 6 & 10, Matchbox, Profex II, Session 500

Carl, I think you would be happy with an S12U. You will be just as comfortable on an S12U as you are now on C6. It just seems to me to be bad form to rest your arms while playing. I can't imagine a piano player doing that. And unlike the strings of the inside neck, which are slick, a pad is not slick and tends to interfere with your arms as you move around. At least that's my experience - Lloyd Green obviously feels otherwise, and he can play pretty dang good.

On a universal, when playing E9 (mostly on the top strings) you tend to rest the heel of your picking hand on the extra low strings, to keep them from vibrating sympathetically and to minimize bar noise. So you have a little something to rest on even without a pad. If that is bad form, don't tell Joe Wright. Also, with an S12, as with C6, if you lean slightly back, you can see your feet when you need to for wide pedal jumps. Then there is the weight and size issue. You just don't need that extra stuff.

As far as pickups, you need to decide if you prefer the dynamics of a single-coil, in which case you can't do better than a Truetone from Jerry Wallace. But if the 60 hz hum of all single coils (yes, even Jerry's) bother you, then there are plenty of humbucking dual coils with great tone. Bill Lawrence makes some for pot volume pedals, and some for active pedals like the Hilton.

Finally, check out a double-bullet Twister bar (available from Scotty's). A 10-string Twister works fine for a 12-string, because you don't want the bar dragging around on the unused lower strings (or upper strings), and the rear bullet keeps the bar from snagging when you pull it back down on the low strings.

At first you'll be lost among all those strings, and your thumb will still be trying to skip the missing D string. But persevere, and in a couple of weeks you'll be fine. Once you get used to it, the lower E9 grips are actually simpler on a universal than on 10 or 12-string E9, especially if you have pulls on the A and B pedals and F lever that duplicate on the new low strings what those pulls do on the uppper strings an octave above.

Larry, I don't play a U12, but I do have a Willy D10. When I bought it, the knee levers for the left leg were a little to far to the left end for my comfort. Bill Rudoplph lives about 100 miles south of me so I was able to go in person to pick it up. He moved the knees in right on the spot to where I was comfortable. I don't know anything about the U12's, but it wouldn't hurt to send him an e-mail and ask him about moving them.

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SUAS U' PHIOB
Geo

Thanks George for the advice, but I hate to be without my guitar for more than two days. I've had to change most of my guitars around at one time or another, I just don't want to. Lazy don't ya know. ha ha Bill is a really nice guy and he does build a great guitar. There are two of us in this area that have Williams guitars. Now if I could just learn how to play,it would help. Thanks again. Larry Lorows

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U12 Williams keyless 400
Evans SE 150, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt