Just wondering what the general view of 12 string guitars for backup at sessions is? I can't say I've seen one but I do quite like the sound of them.Are they accepted?
Certainly. A 12 string differs from the usual, so will sound different. Rather than having three ordinary guitars, a 12 string and a cittern or something make a difference.
As a guitarist I can't say I like the sound of a 12 string as an accompanying instrument. But despite BB's recommendation to not worry about being acceptable (putting words in your mouth) I do think that a 12 string has a higher cringe factor than a bouzouki or guitar at a session.
All depends on the player and the tuning... I played a session last weekend with a 12-string backup player, his style was more bouzouki like than conventional rhythm backup guitar with sparser chords, sounded great.
Yeah, I've had the pleasure to play with a 12 stringer who added so much to the vibe. But I think it was more the musician than his instrument. Having said that, I do like that built-in chorus effect the 12s offers.
12 string guitars at sessions? I think 1 guitar is quite enough actually. 12 guitars would make a horrible racket. I've seen two before... but 12? Cop on!
I think for 98% of guitar players, a 12 string would be a disaster and would sound like mud.
If you tuned it DADGAD and were very careful/sensitive (indeed, with sparse chords as noted above) you
might make a nice contribution but you would seriously run the risk of ruining the session. Just buy a cittern or bazouki.
I play a 12-string and I think it sounds quite good. It is easy for me to switch back and forth between being a melody instrument and a backing instrument. I play 5 different sessions and have had complementar comments made about the sound of the 12-string. I have a 1984 Guild and it sounds somewhat like a harp/harpsichord. I guess it all in the eye of the beholder, but it is surprising to me that there are not more 12-strings being played. I will say, though, that the newer 12-strings seem to have more of a trebly sound than the full range that mine has, so perhaps that is the reason that they are not played or the sound enjoyed.
I play some of the same sessions as Celtic Guitar, above. His guitar sounds great.
Today, I heard this great family band from Vermont called ohanleigh. They were quite impressive. The played a variety of instruments incuding a 12-Guild. It sounded great. They only amplified their voices - not their instruments (small coffee house setting).
I am inclined to think that a 12-string in the hands of a subtle player, who left out more than he/she put in, would be excellent. But a player who only strummed furiously for every bar would muddy the sound, and the waters.
I would also like, again, to disagree with the notion that octave tunings, of any sort, go out of tune as you go up the neck. If the plain string is the same size as the core of its octave partner, then they will stay in tune. For instance, I have very little problem on my 'zouk with John Pearse 'zouk strings, because they are correctly balanced for gauges. There should be no problems with 12-string guitars either.
I play 12 string. It is a 1974 Conrad (no longer in business-got sued for making virtually Identical Martin knock-offs. They were very good)
One has to be very careful how/when to play it. For general chord accompaniment, it can sound 'muddy' like GP said. Actually, it can sound soft and get lost in its own clatter. I like to flat pick it. That highlights the quality of the 12 string's characteristic harp sound.
During Christmas, I played alot of back up to some flutes and fiddles doing normal Christmas stuff. The 12 string was used about a third of the time. Played nicely off the fiddle on the quiet stuff. But really doesn't hold up well on louder numbers.
12 String Guitars at Sessions
12 String Guitars at Sessions
Just wondering what the general view of 12 string guitars for backup at sessions is? I can't say I've seen one but I do quite like the sound of them.Are they accepted?
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by camwebby
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
Certainly. A 12 string differs from the usual, so will sound different. Rather than having three ordinary guitars, a 12 string and a cittern or something make a difference.
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
And why ask about it being acceptable? Acceptable to whom?
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
As a guitarist I can't say I like the sound of a 12 string as an accompanying instrument. But despite BB's recommendation to not worry about being acceptable (putting words in your mouth) I do think that a 12 string has a higher cringe factor than a bouzouki or guitar at a session.
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by Donough
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
All depends on the player and the tuning... I played a session last weekend with a 12-string backup player, his style was more bouzouki like than conventional rhythm backup guitar with sparser chords, sounded great.
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by Michael Eskin
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
Yeah, I've had the pleasure to play with a 12 stringer who added so much to the vibe. But I think it was more the musician than his instrument. Having said that, I do like that built-in chorus effect the 12s offers.
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by fidkid
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
12 string guitars at sessions? I think 1 guitar is quite enough actually. 12 guitars would make a horrible racket. I've seen two before... but 12? Cop on!
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
thanks for all the *sensible* help
. Happy New Year
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by camwebby
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I think for 98% of guitar players, a 12 string would be a disaster and would sound like mud.
If you tuned it DADGAD and were very careful/sensitive (indeed, with sparse chords as noted above) you
might make a nice contribution but you would seriously run the risk of ruining the session. Just buy a cittern or bazouki.
# Posted on December 30th 2007 by gldms
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I play a 12-string and I think it sounds quite good. It is easy for me to switch back and forth between being a melody instrument and a backing instrument. I play 5 different sessions and have had complementar comments made about the sound of the 12-string. I have a 1984 Guild and it sounds somewhat like a harp/harpsichord. I guess it all in the eye of the beholder, but it is surprising to me that there are not more 12-strings being played. I will say, though, that the newer 12-strings seem to have more of a trebly sound than the full range that mine has, so perhaps that is the reason that they are not played or the sound enjoyed.
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by Celtic Guitar
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I've heard it now and then, in normal tuning.
It sounds better if you play lines or the melody.
Full chords can sound muddy
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by Bren
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
As they say, 12-string players spend half the time tuning, and the other half playing out of tune.
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by Steve Austin
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I play some of the same sessions as Celtic Guitar, above. His guitar sounds great.
Today, I heard this great family band from Vermont called ohanleigh. They were quite impressive. The played a variety of instruments incuding a 12-Guild. It sounded great. They only amplified their voices - not their instruments (small coffee house setting).
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by grumblingoldwoman
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I am inclined to think that a 12-string in the hands of a subtle player, who left out more than he/she put in, would be excellent. But a player who only strummed furiously for every bar would muddy the sound, and the waters.
I would also like, again, to disagree with the notion that octave tunings, of any sort, go out of tune as you go up the neck. If the plain string is the same size as the core of its octave partner, then they will stay in tune. For instance, I have very little problem on my 'zouk with John Pearse 'zouk strings, because they are correctly balanced for gauges. There should be no problems with 12-string guitars either.
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
As long as they don't play "Over the Hills and Far Away" by Led Zep, it's OK by me. Too many bad Guitar Center memories there...
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I frown upon them. (don't know how to do that
'sad face thing'. or I'd have ended with it.
# Posted on January 1st 2008 by hauke
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
I play 12 string. It is a 1974 Conrad (no longer in business-got sued for making virtually Identical Martin knock-offs. They were very good)
One has to be very careful how/when to play it. For general chord accompaniment, it can sound 'muddy' like GP said. Actually, it can sound soft and get lost in its own clatter. I like to flat pick it. That highlights the quality of the 12 string's characteristic harp sound.
During Christmas, I played alot of back up to some flutes and fiddles doing normal Christmas stuff. The 12 string was used about a third of the time. Played nicely off the fiddle on the quiet stuff. But really doesn't hold up well on louder numbers.
# Posted on January 2nd 2008 by zippydw
Re: 12 String Guitars at Sessions
Doesn't Dervish use one?I know its not a session,but he plays against a lot of different instruments.
# Posted on January 7th 2008 by edorian