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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | How the stability of the necks and the tops
on USA 12 strings?
I had a Strat 12 at one point the neck was constantaly needed adjustment. :mad:
I sold it after 14 monthes.
I been a little leary of anyones 12 strings since.
Whats your expirence been with Ovation 12s? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I've had a Custom Legend 12 for 7 years and have never had to adjust the neck. The action is as good and it plays as well as the day I got it.
The same is true of my Deacon 12 but I've only had that one for 3 years or so. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | My '77 1115 stays the same day in and day out. Never had to adjust the neck (other than original setup for my liking) and it stays in tune. |
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November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | My '82 Custom Legend's neck is as straight as a whistle. I just got it recently so I can't attest to that prior to my ownership. Stays in tune for a long time too. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Hiya Pez,
I've owned a 1755 Custom Balladeer 12-string for 22 years. I've always used standard E-tuning. (That is, I don't tuned half a step down and play capoed up a fret.) I've never had to even adjust the neck, much less perform any major repair related to any deformity. It has been re-fretted once, but that's it.
My 12 plays better than most 6-strings and, after 20+ years, sounds better than most anything. If you're shopping around, bear in mind that the laminate neck (aka the skunk-striped one) is more rigid than a solid neck.
I own several guitars, but this one is the one I've had the longest and would be least willing to part with. Any of the American-made O's will help you quickly overcome your doubts about 12-stringers. As you can tell, I have trouble when it comes to discussing mine....Specifically, I have trouble stopping when it comes to discussing mine. What a GREAT guitar! :D :cool: |
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November 2005
Posts: 140
Location: Spain | My adamas ME11 gigs 3 times a week indoors and out in some pretty harsh conditions (gets a bit warm here sometimes!!) and the neck is coping without adjustment. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Oh Kool
Thanks !!!
I think a Balladeer 12 my be coming my way in 08.
thanks for the input |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | I'm not going to post here, for obvious reasons, :D those of you with a good memory will know why. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by brainslag:
those of you with a good memory will know why. Dang! I get left in the dark again... |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Zzzzz...huh? what? |
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November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Don't wait til '08 PEZ.
Look at all the time that you will have wasted. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | A legend deep no cut away to replace my Martin D-28
is coming first in 07.
I was distract by a 20 year old whose chest could well be the 8th wonder of the world; was jumping up and down applauding.
I spun far enough to wack the back of the Martin on
mic stand. I the next day there was 8 inch back crack.
Typically I take the Thunderbolt for 80% of what I do and Martin for the stuff that required a big base thump.
I need the legend first. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | OK, so none of you has a good memory. I'll fill you in... This is what happened to my nice new Legend LX12...AFTER>> the neck was removed AND repaired, then re-set. I did get a deal on the neck, the bridge was free. So far, the repairs are holding up well. I still wonder how any guitar manufacturer holds bridges on without bolts thru the top, but..
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Ooooooooooch!!!!! |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by brainslag:
[QB]I still wonder how any guitar manufacturer holds bridges on without bolts
thru the top, but.. So that when the occasional glue failure happens
there is still a soundboard left to repair?
My repaired 12 string (purchased over in the trade forum here)
is holding up extremely well. Tuned to concert pitch
(though I did have it a half-step low for a month while I watch the face
for stess) and playing like a dream.
Shallow bowl though, so it's not at it's best until
it's plugged in...but stays in tune for months at a time! |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | I've had my Adamas II 1885 since '95, the neck has stayed true and the bridge is rock solid.
On my woodtop doubleneck 6/12, both bridges are through-bolted. No issues with either neck. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I have three 12 strings
A 1968 Martin 12-20
A 1972 Ovation 1115 Pacemaker which had a slight intonation problem. A great luthier reset the saddle and it has played great ever since.
A 1989 Ovation 1758 Elite 12 string. Always has played great. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I should add, 5 years ago I wanted to get Custom Legend, deep no cut away. I could not find one.
Or a legend or Balladeer. I switched from Rock to Country because I was too old, too fat, too balding to be a rock star. I was always more country than I wanted to admit. So I bought spurs and a hat and Yeeeeeeeeeeehaaaawwww! I'm Country
Anyway I was getting "da boy ain't right in the head look" from some people. The T-bolt just did not look right. Why I love the sound and feel
of the t-bolt I needed a real traditional
looking guitar to off set it.
No one had new USA deep bowl no cutway instock anywhere.
At the time no has a used deep no cut way within reasonable driving distance.
I called the factory and was told they could make one but it would take 4 monthes.
I could not wait 4 monthes.
I grabbed the d-28 because it was available.
Nice guitar but too delicate everyday real word stage use imnho. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 143
Location: Shotley Bridge, Northern England | Like others here I also have more than one 12. My 1758 and Celeb 12 are rock solid in terms of tuning; after weeks in the case the Celeb is still at concert pitch (I don't downtune either, and it has cheapie open tuners too). The 1758 doesn't get left more than a day or two between being played, ;) but it's also very reliable. I think a lot's down to great tuners on USA Ovations and a well-cut nut to avoid string snagging.
My Ibanez 6/12 SG is altogether different! It has poor tuners (Kluson copies that look right but are lightweight) and a nut with slots cut too narrow. It's a bear to tune and to keep there! (And I'm getting a bit old too now for the 'doubleneck rock god' look, so it stays in the case a lot these days).
Bottom line? Don't worry about tuning and stability with Ovation 12s. And I haven't even mentioned the action on these guitars! Simply beautiful!
HW |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I have a 2001 1598MERB Adamas Melissa Etheridge 12-string that has required nothing other than shim adjustment for changing string weight. VERY stable.
I did have a 1981 1118 Glen Campbell slothead 12-string that had a neck twist at the headstock join....probably from string tension. It had it when I got it in 2004, and it got no worse during my ownership. I was able to adjust it so that it was within action specs, and was playable.
Roger |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Ovation 12's are highly reccomended for anyone wanting a real-life 12 string. I have two and can reccomend either for plugged in work. The 1980's Custom Legend 1659 is very pretty and sings like an angel with OP-PRO upgraded electronics.
For accoustic though the non-cutaway Adamas has it. It's the bomb and the walnut neck on mine ain't going anywhere (movement). Plays like butter even barring chords. I also loved my Melissa 12 string 1598MERB before it was sacrificed for son's tuition.
If your budget stretches to Martin D12-28 money, instead call Al and see if he still has the Melissa MERBII that he had in stock until recently.
If Budget stretches even further go for the Ute 12 string!!!!
For that traditional look, for less that $2,000 you will be able to pick-up a nice Adamas I or a bit less for an Adamas II if you just hang around on the bay or with the friends here.
Go Bowl 12 and you'll never go back! |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I had an Applause 12 for probably 10 years. Left it tuned all the time and went years without playing it. It was in tune occasionally when I'd pick it up. Got the Balladeer 12 and it hangs on the wall for a couple months without being played. It's in tune most times I pick it up. You should be even better working up from there. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | how about a u681t 12??
I have a couple left |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Ditto what Al says. The U681-12 is the best 12 string I've ever played. I've owned it side by side with Adamas I and Adamas II 12-ers and the U681-12 is the real deal. Dave |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | 1974 Ovation Pacemaker 12. No problems in 33 years. Set it and forget it. |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | i'm still in love with my 1688. after my wife and daughters, and mom, she is about the purtiest thing i've ever seen.
surprised there are some UTE 12's left. i was jonesin' for one until my wife surprised me with the 1688. a UTE 12 with the paint job of the this 1688 would be absolute killer. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I have two twelve string O's, one is a 1980 Pacemaker & the other is an 1858 Elite that I bought new in '03. Both stay tuned to concert pitch & neither has any problems staying in tune. I use Elixir light gauge strings on both. I was mildly concerned about the fact that the Pacemaker was acoustic-only & had no onboard tuner (ok, so I'm spoiled). My concerns were completely unfounded, it rarely requires tuning. Both are rock solid guitars. The Pacemaker has an exceptionally nice neck, very easy to play & with the 12 fret to body fretboard it sounds terrific. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 302
Location: Buffalo,NY | I have a 1966 Fender Electric XII that stays in tune and that hasn't given me any trouble in the 5 or so years I've owned it. I had to have it after seeing the "Concert for George" . The guitar player for "If I Needed Someone " had one and I just loved his sound.
I have a 1990 Takamine EF400SC 12 String that sounds great and has very low action.No problems with it either.
I gig with my PRS McCarty 12 String.It Stays in tune, sounds great and plays like a 6 string.
My latest 12 String acquisition is an Ovation 1858LX. I just love the sound of it and since it's a shallow bowl, it is very comfortable to play.
I haven't had any problems with any of my 12 strings and they're all kept tuned to concert pitch.
Regards,
Tom |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | My 12 strings are 1688-8 s/n 1000 and #2000. they need to have the strings and battery changed every 5 years and that's it. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | y'keep forgetting that LongNeck-12 . . . |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | 1968 Baladeer shiny bowl, 1979 & 1980 #1658's, 1985 #1659, 2000 6759, 1993 #1685-8, 2004 #1688-8, 2002 Hamer Newport 12, 1978 Preacher Deluxe 12, 1966 Wurlitzer (335 style)
and Bruce's Viper 12 on loan...
used to have a 1158 for eleven years...won't go back to Martin - both for playability and construction. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | I have an Alvarez 12 that I purchased new in 1977. Still have the original receipt in the case. It looks like new with no neck, bridge, or top deformations at all. No problems with staying in tune. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | I have a GC 1118 12 string that has been passed through a couple of Florida OFC hands. It's a nice solid 12 string - the action is a little higher than I'd like when you get higher on the neck and I always thought I'd see what I could do about that at my next string change.
Since I got the 1538, I have only picked up the 1118 for comparison purposes. The 1538 is hands down the nicest playing and sounding 12 I have ever played. I have played a couple of Adamas ME 12s that were very nice, but I don't think I would trade the 1538 for anything! I've been toying with the idea of selling the 1118 since I don't play it anymore. |
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Joined:
April 2007
Posts: 225
Location: Stow, Ohio | I took a Made in China 12 string out of a distributor's trash. reglued the bridge, made a few adjustments...best damn free 12 string ever. plays great, sounds good, and stays in tune.
Man I love Gorilla Glue :) |
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12 string owners