Topic: Low budget 12-string mojo!!!

[Blue in VT]

Howdy again all...My guitar "collection" is in a bit of a shake up...I've off loaded a really nice Larrivee Blackwood OM that was fantastic but just sounded a little "too pretty" for the blues.  I've replaced it with a well worn Harmony Sovereign 1203...for my Lipscomb vibe...   And I like it alot...sounds great.  I'll try to get a clip up soon. 

Anyway...I've got a little money left over and am considering adding a12 string as well...do you all have suggestions for a low budget 12er?  I would certainly be comfortable getting another Harmony...also their stellas (post war of course) seem to go pretty cheap on ebay and look cool. 

whats ya'll opinions? other options?

Thanks...Cheers,

Blue

[Mr.OMuck]

I remember the Stella twelve strings of the sixties as being nigh unplayable and sounding like petrified duck shit. Guilds are being made in Asia now and they always produced a decent twelve string, you might try one out. Breedlove (among the worlds ugliest guitars imho) also has an Asian made line with a decent twelve, if you can get past the visual barrier. There are probably a number of Asian made twelve strings that are OK.

[Mr.OMuck]

I had second thoughts upon rereading my Breedlove comments. Breedlove should be congratulated on not being another Martin look a like and for pushing the envelope on guitar design even if I interpret the results as not being successful.

[Stuart]

If you just want to get your feet wet and see if a twelve is really for you, you might keep your eyes open for an Aria 12 string acoustic. If I remember correctly, they were made in Japan, had a zero nut and an adjustable truss rod, (14 frets clear?), and were relatively cheap. Not a great sounding guitar, but very playable, and they did the job. Given the extra string tension, the adjustable truss rod can come in handy. There were more than a few in circulation in the early 70s, so you just might be able to find one for short money.

[uncle bud]

There's some good info on 12-strings in some older threads as well. Check the tags button on the top menu. 12 string is the first tag listed. This subject in particular has some good info: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=114&topic=398.0

The Fraulini website also has great information, www.fraulini.com. And temptation of course.

Re. Breedloves. I've never played one and have heard they are nice guitars but they always remind me of the haircuts in the 80s band Flock of Seagulls...

[Mr.OMuck]

HYUK,HAA HOO!

[Mr.OMuck]

Hey I just played a very nice Takoma 12 string that was about $600.00. You could Take home a one a those! Played easily, very nice sound, not cavernous bass however, but really perfectly satisfactory.

[dave stott]

I keep waiting for a string of stores that rent guitars....

play it again Sam for Guitars, so to speak

That way, I can rent a 12 string or resonator for a week or tow and get rid of the GAS.

Dave

[Mr.OMuck]

Some music stores will rent out their guitars.

[RobBob]

I had my eye on a Simon and Patrick hanging in a local store used for $310.  Finally saw my way to free up the money and it sold last Friday.  They have a used Seagull that does not sound too bad for $249 but the bridge is pulling up.  Both are made by Godin with the S&P having somewhat better aesthetics in appearance.  Another store has an older (60's?) Gibson 12, sunburst with a tailpiece for $1599, but that ceases to be cheap in my book.

Oh well...

RobBob

[Nicolas Dussart]

There's a (very) used Martin D12-20 for $650 here :
http://santacruzguitarplayers.com/scgc-forum/index.php?topic=731.0

[Mr.OMuck]

Washburn has a fat j200 shaped twelve thats been well reviewed for around $550.

[RobBob]

I found some more cheaper 12 strings at Bernunzio Music

http://www.bernunzio.com/new_result.php?type=Guitar#Guitar%20-%20flat%20top

Including an old harmony:
 

[Blue in VT]

Thanks for th input all...I'm still not sure which way to go on this...I should probably just focus on playing the guitars I have and put this off till I have more time...but the money is burning a hole in my pocket.

Rob...that Barclay looks nice...and they are great people to work with...thats where I got my Harmony Soveriegn...I'll have to pursue further.

I really like the idea of it being a ladder braced old box like one of these...for the mponey they are hard to beat...in 6 or 12 string.

Cheers,

Blue