Show me your 12 strings

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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FIREBOT
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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by FIREBOT » Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:38 pm

captdusty wrote:BTW, I'm embarrassed to admit I owned this thing for a long time before noticing it was 24.75 scale instead of 25.5. Weird for Fender, but makes sense when you consider the cumulative tension of twice the strings.
Mine is the same vintage and same model, and I never noticed this either. I was traveling when you posted this, and was sure you must be measuring wrong... but I got home, and pulled mine out and measured it, and my mind was blown. I've been trying to figure out why. I can only conclude that it is to make it fit in the same case as a regular six-string Strat, compensating for the larger headstock... I dunno.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by StevePirates » Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:00 pm

I'd never known that the Strat XII was 24.75 scale. Hmmm... Now I kind of want one. (I have short, stubby, trumpian fingers).
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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by captdusty » Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:18 am

FIREBOT wrote:I've been trying to figure out why. I can only conclude that it is to make it fit in the same case as a regular six-string Strat, compensating for the larger headstock... I dunno.
Maybe, but I would think offsetting the greatly increased string tension would have a lot to do with it, too.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by FIREBOT » Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:32 pm

captdusty wrote:
FIREBOT wrote:I've been trying to figure out why. I can only conclude that it is to make it fit in the same case as a regular six-string Strat, compensating for the larger headstock... I dunno.
Maybe, but I would think offsetting the greatly increased string tension would have a lot to do with it, too.
Maybe, but the 1960's electric XIIs had 25.5" scales, and I've never heard there was a problem in playability... And as far as the increased string tension's effect on the neck, people commonly played 12s in the 60s (which I'm sure translated to the composition of the 12 string sets), and the 80s were all about 9s and 10s.

...the Strat is pretty easy to play though...

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by starflower » Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:35 am

Run-of-the-mill 1986 360/12 with a very loud pair of Hi-gains.

Sound close to perfect for what I need it to do, but it's a proper wrestling match every time it gets used. Presently debating whether I should forego the classic charm to exchange it for something that is more user friendly.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by s_mcsleazy » Wed Aug 24, 2016 3:27 am

i never knew the scale of the xii strats. now i kinda want to try finding one to build a jaguar xii
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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by StevePirates » Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:19 am

Dude. I never even considered changing a Strat XII into a Jag XII...... Dude. Whoa.
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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by captdusty » Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:34 am

Remember there's still 3/4" of scale length difference to make up. You'd have to relocate the bridge by about half that length.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by cestlamort » Wed Aug 24, 2016 7:31 pm

starflower wrote:Run-of-the-mill 1986 360/12 with a very loud pair of Hi-gains.

Sound close to perfect for what I need it to do, but it's a proper wrestling match every time it gets used. Presently debating whether I should forego the classic charm to exchange it for something that is more user friendly.

Image
The string spacing on the newer nuts makes it way easier to play. I've noticed that a good set up will transform it from unplayable to effortless (some hyperbole there, but you get the idea). That said, a friend has a 360-12 (1988?) and the neck feels *tiny*.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by FEXII » Mon Aug 29, 2016 5:10 pm

starflower wrote:Run-of-the-mill 1986 360/12 with a very loud pair of Hi-gains.

Sound close to perfect for what I need it to do, but it's a proper wrestling match every time it gets used. Presently debating whether I should forego the classic charm to exchange it for something that is more user friendly.
It looks beautiful, but I had a 360/12 and I hated changing the strings, the tuners and that R tailpiece made it a half day project. Then there was the intonation, it was impossible to get it right with the stock (6 saddle) bridge. But the sound was amazing. Obviously you can tell from my username I am a big fan of the Fender Electric XII. You can change the strings on a FEXII in half an hour, the intonation is perfect, and they sound wonderful (just not like a Rick). So for my money a FEXII is the most user friendly XII out there . . . especially if you get a 65 model with the wider nut.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by Surfgreen58 » Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:43 pm

Here's my 65 XII in CAR.


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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by starflower » Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:54 pm

Fender XII is simply divine, the above CAR being perfect!

For my 5'11" stature I have comparatively very small hands and can deal with the nut width not too much trouble, but I certainly could do better with a wider nut by far. Curiously enough the Hi-gains being so hot, coupled with the well-known issues associated with a 6-saddle bridge means more difficulty than others when dialing in everything just right when studio tracking. A capo and working around various open voicings to match given song has made it all somewhat worthwhile in the long run, but it's sure no picnic! :)
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Johnny Burrito
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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by Johnny Burrito » Tue Aug 30, 2016 4:43 am

Anyone have any experience with the cheapo Cozart 12 strings out there? I read decent reviews on TDPRI.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by SignoftheDragon » Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:20 pm

Don't do it. Just save up $350ish and get a used Danelectro. You'll be much happier.

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Re: Show me your 12 strings

Post by burntumber » Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:27 pm

I'd hit that.

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