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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | My 1615 is in need of a string change and while I'm at it I want to see how it plays as a 6-string for a while. Any problems using a light gauge 6 set instead of the current extralight 12 set? Bearing in mind it has a crack at the headstock which SEEMS to be superficial but I don't want any excessive changes in string tension. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | A six-string set of D'Addario EJ16 (.012 - .053) has 163 lbs. of combined tension...
A 12-string set of D'Addario EJ38 (.010 - .047) has 254 lbs... give or take a pound on both.
So the tension should be less with the six string set.
[I got all that info off of the back of the box and my calculator]
Depending on your string height you may have to tweak the truss-rod or add a shim, but I would doubt it. 12-Strings usually have a bit higher action at the 12th fret. YMMV
Anyway, I don't believe that there would be any extra tension on the headstock. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I don't know, so I'll ask.
Isn't a 12 string braced heavier to support the 12 strings? And might that make it a lousy sounding six string? |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Yes, I would expect the tension to be less. It's just that the cracks make me nervous about doing any truss rod adjustment, or changing the tension in any way. I'll take my chances... |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Lock and load!!
We are all waiting to see the result!!
AJ ;) |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | If the 'cracks' on your neck/headstock are on the Skunk Stripe right at the headstock joint, that could be a blow-out from the truss-rod nut.
When I originally got my (now gone) 1115 it had a bump in the skunk stripe right at that joint. The folks at the MS told me that it was from the previous owner trying to adjust the string height with the truss-rod. Hence, it blew-out the back of the neck. The guitar really needed an neck-reset.
So, If I were you... I would only adjust the string height with shims if it is necessary.
To really make a Pacemaker into a 6-string you would need to change the nut and the saddle.
By the time you did that, you should just get a beater off of evilBay.
But that is just me... :p |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Hmmmm...
Yes, I may just leave the truss rod alone. Will just try 6 strings and if it needs a truss rod tweak, I won't!
Really just wanted to see if it works as a 6-string. maybe due to the bracing it won't sound too good anyway |
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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | Give it a try, let us know how it sounds. I have seen numerouts youtube vids where 12s are played with 6 strings. Yes, it may not be an ideal situation but I can't imagine anyway it would hurt the guitar. All you have to lose is a set of strings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvFoZAN5LGk |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | It should work just fine... |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 354
Location: nashville | I tried that on my guild, wasn't wild about the sound but it was a change of pace. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 251
Location: Pewaukee, WI | I had bought a 69 1115 (winged bridge and paper label) with very high action. Instead of a neck reset I had them make me a 6 string neck (1 11/16 width). Think of it as a narrow neck Folklore. It doesn't sound bad. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Decided to leave it all alone. Ordered new Elixir12-string set from local shop. I have a 6-string anyway, albeit not a solid-top US Ovation but I'll get one of those too some day. |
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12 to 6-string ?