|
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Here's some more info: Hamer made the Duotones in a 12-string version: they are extremely rare. This 12 has a quality sounding Piezo pickup under the saddle - plus a pair of Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers - and you can select the acoustic output (piezo) only, magnetic output (mini-hums) only, or both, via a 3-way selector, plus a separate 3-way for the Duncan bridge-neck-both. Additionally, the guitar offers stereo outputs to route your acoustic and electric signals to two different amps (or channels), with one of the outputs wired mono, with both signals routed to it. Rather than complicate the control section with a bunch of extra knobs, Hamer uses recessed pots on the back cover to control the EQ for the acoustic tone with low, mid, high, and gain. The guitar features the classic combination of solid spruce top, with a chambered solid mahogany body and neck. The body/neck joint is constructed to allow easy access all the way to the top fret with a short heel and all but one fret is clear of the body. The action is so low: almost like playing a 6 and due to its thinline design and chambered mahogany body, it is nearly impervious to feedback, which makes it a fantastic stage guitar that also shines for studio work. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Here are a couple of videos w/Duotone's 6 & 12...
6 string Duotone
12 String Duotone |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1455
Location: Texas | The 12 video is not too clear, but it looks (and sounds) to me like he's got 11 strings, (Only the bass low E) and that it is strung Ric style? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | It is not a clear video...but the only one of a 12 Duotone I could find on You-tube... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | With all due respect to Hamer (note: I have had Hamers for 10+ years and value them highly), NOTHING compares with a Rickenbacker 12 string. The build quality and playability is second to none. The sound they can produce is beyond compare. To borrow a phrase from Porsche ... there is no substitute.
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | bobbo,
That bottom Ric is WOW!  One day...
Reminds me of...
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I agree with Iffy. Some day, I have to have a Ric 12. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Well, its not a Ric but it was affordable!
And this one helped me to expand my learning curve.
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I owned a vintage Ric 12 and while it had the Ric 12 sound (that no other 12 duplicates IMHO), the neck on the damn things are so narrow I found it nearly impossible to play. Maybe smaller hands or someone with more precise fingering skills could have made it chime properly.
I hated to part with it but the new owner was thrilled and I moved on to my Deacon 12 which was much more comfortable to play. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
With all due respect to Hamer (note: I have had Hamers for 10+ years and value them highly), NOTHING compares with a Rickenbacker 12 string. The build quality and playability is second to none. The sound they can produce is beyond compare. To borrow a phrase from Porsche ... there is no substitute.
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | I know I might get bashed for this, but I could never get used to the thin neck on the rics.
My favorite (and only) solution at this time for an electric 12 comes from the Fender VG (modeling)Stratcaster (now discontinued). It has very convincing 12 string sounds (electric strat, electric tele, acoustic 12). I love the neck profile (9.5" radius) on the standard american stratocaster . One of these days,I want to post something on youtube. If you get a chance to play a used one, check them out. Some stores may still have NOS. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | You need to try some Post Production Ovation BFLG specials...
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | Way back, I had a 65 Rick 360-12. The sound was great, but I did not like the small string being on the bottom. Most others have it on top. I traded it for a 62 fender Jazz Bass. Had a Gibson EDS 1275 doubleneck. Never liked it. Traded it for a PRS. Still have a mid 60's Fender |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by beatlejuice53:
Way back, I had a 65 Rick 360-12. The sound was great, but I did not like the small string being on the bottom. That's what gives the Ric it's distinctive sound.
I love it and have on occasion changed out the nut and restrung some of my 12s Ric style. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | If I could figure out a reasonable way to change the bridge on my Deacon 12 to be able to intonate correctly strung Ric style, I'd do it in a heartbeat. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | What bridge do you have on it? The early brass one or the later Schaller? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | The later Schaller. Look at the individual saddles ... they are cast to intonate correctly but it's a single saddle for each string pair. I thought about flipping them 180˚, but then figured out all by myself that was a bonehead idea.
It seems like getting a new nut cut is the easy part. Not sure how to handle the bridge issue and still be able to play in tune.
Any and all ideas and suggestions gratefully appreciated. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Play a Ric.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Bobbo... I'm missing something I think..
Are you saying you are not able to get your intonation correct? I've had a few with those bridges and really though they were the best, although tone wise I like the early ones.. but these are more accurate and stay in tune better.... at least that has been my experience. Your mileage may vary. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Stringing them a Rik, Miles.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Yeah, what Moody said. I'd like to string the Deacon 12 Ric style, but the bridge would prove to be an issue. The way it is now, it intonates just fine, but with the strings reversed I'm gonna have a problem. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | MWoody
I have a Daisey Rock Retro 12 String in the white and I love that thing. Crank it up, it's great.
Anita |
|
| |
Electric 12 String Guitars
