I finally decided that I can't get close enough to the "Petty" sound without a 12 string. However, I still couldn't afford a Rick so............I got a 12 string 335 knockoff that will have to fill in until I can afford to shell out the cash for a Rick (money very tight now).

In doing some research, there were two suggestions I saw from two different sources about making a 12 string elctric sound better.

1. Use flat wound strings. They mentioned Pyramid strings in particular. Is this really the way to go? I would think I'd want something that sounded "brighter" and the flat-wound has a reputation as being more of a mellow sound.

2. I'm wondering what gauges to go with. I'm more of a chord banger who usually goes with 10's but I'm noticing that most of the 12 string packs are lighter. Should I go lighter to brighten up the sound? Make it easier to play? Wondering what all your "12ers" use?

3. The other suggestion was to run the guitar thru compression. I saw it demoed on a Eastwood 12 string and while it made some difference, it wasn't something I thought was enough of a difference to call it a "must have". Any of you run your 12 thru compression? Why?

Any help you can give me I appreciate, thanks.

Sorry, IB - I bought an Epiphone acoustic 12 string about 4 weeks ago - darned if I know what to do with it - and that high G string keeps snapping!

But I do find it plays better capo'ed - so - downtune 1/2 or 1 tone and capo accordingly? or standard tune and transpose everything down a step or two?

Hey Iffybiz, I have a Ric 660/12 and I use Rickenbacker 10's and I'm really satisfied with how they sound and feel. I don't use a compressor. If you go to http://www.myspace.com/dougsmithmusic (not intended to be a shameless plug) you can hear how it sounds on my song "Forever". Nothing sounds quite like a Ric, but you should be able to come pretty close. If you can get a Jangle Box (I think they're about $200) it can give you a real "Byrds" kind of sound. You can find Jangle Box demos on the web. Hope this helps.

Iffy....

Pyramids Flats are very good strings. Pricey. But they last a very long time. The tone of Pyramids give you a nice deep shimmer. Pyramids are like beer. It's an acquired taste. If you run P's you'll definitely want to get a compressor/sustainer to "brighten" things up. Of course, my pick would be "The Jangle Box" which is un-paralelled for that elusive "jangley" tone.

I did some JangleBox samples in another thread on this forum.... have a listen.
http://tompetty.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3376042321/m/4281071262

10's are good on a 12. as Scarecow said, official Rick strings are really a decent pack of strings. Plus they are no where near the cost of Pyramids or TI's. On the other hand, they are not flat wound.

If this is your first 12. I'd stick with round wrapped 10's until you're for sure gonna keep the 12 in your regular set list rotation.

Chap

I Have Three Rick 12 Strings and use The Rickenbacker Sets on all of them from memory they are
10 13 20 26 34 42
10 13 10 13 20 26

I have an Acoustic 12 string on which I use Thomastik Plectrum 10's
I tune all my 12 string guitars to pitch without any issues

For Compression, I Use My 370/12RM (Roger McGuinn) Sig series with a built in compression unit, but I don't find that I need to use much effect with A Rickenbacker. Before I got the McGuinn Guitar I used a DOD Compression/Sustain Pedal, which sounded real good too.

Worthwhile to note, Today I could not afford to buy a Rickenbacker Guitar Either, So I am glad I save the money and bought these guitars whilst I was younger.

quote:

Thomastik Plectrum 10's

http://www.juststrings.com/toi-ac210.html

is this the one for your acoustic 12's?

quote:

Originally posted by lcjones:

quote:

Thomastik Plectrum 10's

http://www.juststrings.com/toi-ac210.html

is this the one for your acoustic 12's?

Yeah, That's them. I came across them by accident they are great

Thanks for the help. I think I'll use the Rickenbacker strings until I can get a few more gigs under the belt and go with the pyramids and Jangle Box.
BTW, if anyone's looking for a good fairly cheap electric 12, I got mine thru Rondo Music. It's called an Agile 820-12. Looks like a Gibson 335, nice sound and good quality (a few minor flaws in the clear finish) for about $350 dollars delivered.

quote:

Originally posted by Iffybiz:
Thanks for the help. I think I'll use the Rickenbacker strings until I can get a few more gigs under the belt and go with the pyramids and Jangle Box.
BTW, if anyone's looking for a good fairly cheap electric 12, I got mine thru Rondo Music. It's called an Agile 820-12. Looks like a Gibson 335, nice sound and good quality (a few minor flaws in the clear finish) for about $350 dollars delivered.

I Hope you like your new instrument.

I have a question, if somebody might be able to answer it, Quite a few years ago (Not That Many 1994?) when I first started playing 12 string guitar, my local music store (At The Time, Hornsby Music Australia) had an electric twelve string that had a tele style body, I think it was made by Hohner, but I played that a bit in the shop and have never seen one since. Has anyone seen one of these?, am I remembering the details correctly?, from memory it was black and relatively in-expensive, but played quite nice.

These are pretty cool......and inexpensive.

12-string Telecaster

quote:

Originally posted by TomFest2002:
These are pretty cool......and inexpensive.

12-string Telecaster

Yeah Quite Nice.

The Guitar I remember had six a side Tuners on the headstock, Just Like to see one again one time.

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Teledyne Telecaster 12

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I love 12 stringers

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And you handle them very well, Chap. You're music is so very good!

If anyone hasn't had the opportunity to listen to Chapman's music, you're missing out. It's great stuff!

Doug

When you are checking out or trying to upgrade any instrument check out Harmony Central for reviews and techniques from other musicians. I have found this to be one of the best resources regarding setting up my guitars and of course looking towards future upgrades!

I just Received, by Courier(from a dealer In NZ), a Burns of London "Double Six" 12 String - it Sounds Great. That new guitar smell is intoxicating.

http://www.burnsguitars.com/doublesix.php

Awesomely retro!

Would love to hear some tones!

that's a sweet looking guitar.

Very cool. Let us know how it plays/sounds. Post some sound clips somewhere if you can.

It plays real sweet. I am used to playing Rickenbacker 12's, and I had this opportunity to get this, of course it is strung the traditional way, rather than the Ric Way and the sound is, well it is..it rings real clear. I would post a sample , but I wouldn't know how or where, there was once a sample on the Burns site that I have here, I hope to use this Guitar on a new song I wrote called "Take Back The Night". It's very different to any guitar I have ever played.

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you can grab Drifter's Burns Demo file here.... Really sweet sounding!

http://www.frogsstudio.com/drifter/

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