More about the twelve
Easter Sunday musings about guitars
"That old 12 string guitar sounds lovely! I might get one. " 👏👏
Well, yes it does, I know. But that's mainly because I've been learning how to play it on and off for 50 years. I'm concerned that if you were to purchase a vintage Guild at an auction tomorrow, it might not sound exactly like mine. It might seem straightforward, but there's a lot more to it.
Many guitarists have a 12 string in their collection. Some bring it out for a play from time to time, seeking a change. A few do it very well, but many sound jangly and buzzing, all treble and tinny, making a messy sound effect that doesn't add anything.
That's because it's really a different instrument in its own right, rather than an ordinary guitar with extra strings. You can't just strum at it with a flappy plectrum and expect it to sing out. 🎶
I don't play 12 string just for a change, it's something I’ve specialised in.
Like many, I learned to play first on a nylon strung Spanish style guitar because there was one lying around and it's easier on the uncalloused fingers. Then after I had achieved some proficiency, I went out to buy a steel strung guitar. I tried a few in the music shop and came home with an Eros 12 string. The same chords played on this guitar were making a new set of harmonies to my ears, inspiring a fresh way of experimenting with patterns and changes. I was entranced and had to have it even though it was about three pounds above my limit!
And that Eros was the guitar I took with me along with a haversack when I ran away from home and became a full time musician in Paris for a few years. I played that big heavy Italian guitar for two hours every single morning and then did another pitch in the afternoon if I could find a good one.
When my 6-month-only British visitor’s passport expired, I had to visit the UK to get it upgraded to a full one and on that visit I left the Eros behind and started to play a Yamaha 6 string, which was louder and gave more endurance. That’s the one which got stolen from under the pinball machine in the Café Mazet and I had to quickly replace it with something cheap. A broken but playable Epiphone from the seconds bin in the big music shop near Bastille. That was a great guitar for playing, and I wish I hadn’t let it go many years later in Dover. But back to Paris:
With savings from my regular busking I was able to take advantage of a surprise opportunity to buy an American Guild 12 string guitar, off a man in the cafe. ♨ That was back in 1974/5 and I still have it, that's the one I've been playing ever since and use for my Saturday night Lives and for studio recording. I switch over to a six string half the time, because I've learned to specialise in that as well, but the 12 came first.
I suppose it's partly because there haven't been very many well known specialist 12 string players. Leadbelly and Leo Kottke come to mind as masters of the instrument, and some of the greatest guitarists have had their love affairs with the 12.
🎸 George Harrison's Rickenbacker 12 string electric guitar for example on "A Hard Day’s Night”, and Eric Clapton's Unplugged on a Guild like mine. Jimmy Page's double neck is another, and then you kind of run out of examples. (I won't mention John Denver here)
I really don't know if the wood has mellowed with age and improved the resonance very much, it always sounded great to me when it was only 3 or 4 years old (Made in New York Westerly workshop 1971). The poor old thing was well built and stronger than most to stand up to the extra stresses, but is starting to get pretty well worn in places. Maybe it will give up and break one day, but I'm hoping it will last me out.
As it’s a holiday weekend, that was a short piece repurposed from March 2021, I hope you found something of interest therein.
I’m starting to look forward to live gigging again next week with a Saturday Night at the Sun Inn, Calbourne. Starting at 7.00pm. It’s the very first live music gig of their new season so it would be great to see a few familiar faces turn up and help reward these rural venues for supporting live local music.
