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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 398
Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | Yeah, I know this may sound silly - but here goes:
Has anyone ever experimented with leaving the lighter 6 strings off on a 12-String Ovation and just using the other, 6 heavier strings? The O' in question has a hand-laid, deep bowl, 12 fret, slot-head, OP24+etc. and has some serious mojo and good looks...is this crazy notion a good or bad idea? (and why?)
I can imagine one may need to adjust the trust rod due to a bit less string tension, and I would imagine it may take some getting used to - but perhaps the fullness of sound, the wide neck, etc., would make for a really nice player. I know a well know folk artist who plays a Martin twelve-string that he had a 6 string nut & bridge put on at the factory, and it's a really sweet guitar with an awesome neck...
Thoughts, opinions, or experiences would be appreciated..see - I told you it was silly question!
Mahalos~ |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | No personal experience, but in my younger days I have seen many people with 12-string guitar strung with only six strings.
The reason people usually gave me was because they wanted a steel string with a wider neck.
(or they couldn't afford a 12-string set)
But it should work just fine.
You may have to adjust the truss-rod, or you could also use a heavier gauge set.
If the guitar is currently strung with a full 12 set, just take the high strings off, and try it out.
If you really like it, you can buy a six-string Tusq nut in any width you like.
You would not really need to change the saddle, that 16th of an inch difference in string location wouldn't make a difference.
Let us know how it works-out.
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I have no experience with this, but I have to wonder that since the bracing is designed to counter the tension of 12 strings, you end up losing tone because the tension of just six strings won't drive the top the way it's designed. But I'd try it just for grins to see what happens.
In the end, it sounds like what you really want is a 1614. Maybe try to trade for one. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Try leaving the double 3rd and 4th strings, like Taylor's 8 string baritone. You might like the richer midrange. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have done it
it works |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13988
Location: Upper Left USA | Dude... the long gray Winter has gotten to you. It's a 12 String...
It needs 12 strings...
Now - Go ahead and put on a set meant for an Electric 12 and see what you think!
And if that don't work go ahead and set it up with all Octaves.
But you still need 12 strings. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Besides, if you break a string or two, you can usually keep going... |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | why not get an old Folklore? Same thing almost. |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | If you've already got a decent set of 12 strings on it, it would only take a few minutes to cut off every other string and try it… so why not? Yes, the bracing will be different, but it won't cost much time or $ to try it and see how it plays/sounds… You'll have a low E a little further from the edge of the neck than you might want, but if you decide you like it, you can always add a new nut to correct that…
… and then post your results/opinions for the enlightenment of future searchers…
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3615
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | The Grafter.
Had to replace the peghead on a Pacemaker. Worked great. Forgot who I sold it to, though.
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | If you just want a wide neck, deep bowl and 12 frets, there's a Josh White on Canadian feeBay right now.
BTW, love the signature Standing..
Edited by muzza 2012-03-02 10:57 PM
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | muzza - 2012-03-02 10:55 PM
BTW, love the signature Standing..
Thanks, but you still win the mesmerizing avatar contest…  |
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Silly Ovation 12-String Question...