I play 12-string (baritone) a lot. I like it.

It's a much different animal than 6-string. Bends mostly out, fretting has an additional percussive impact, picking is a much lighter affair. I think for most guitar players it's like getting a baritone--it seems as if what you do on a regular guitar will port over, but a lot of it kinda doesn't without unintended effects (murk, spiky attack, etc.).

The old Yamaha acoustics sound good. I just strung up my old Yamaha 6-string (was like $160 in the mid-80s) and it's funny how great it sounds. I don't think it used to sound this good. Anyway, they made 12-strings back then, and they're not expensive. <$250 used.

"plus I tune down." Sounds a lot better to me. 12-string tuned to E is too shingy usually.

On 12 strings, I'd agree with the folks who are talking in terms of playing one.

If it is going to be more trouble than it is worth, it will most likely be evident rather quickly.

M-Audio Sputnik

I've been keeping an eye on these for...I guess like 15 years?! They seem pretty great. All reviews I've read have been positive if not glowing. I can get one for $350 with the case, power supply, shock mount and cable.

I don't really record other bands, just have a humble but active home studio. I'm not going to be recording a choir in a concert hall...although I did recently get the piano in the living room tuned. I'm not totally sure application wise where this would fit in to recording my 3 piece rock band and my solo stuff. I've never used a tube condenser as they have been cost prohibitive, hence my long term interest in the Sputnik.

What do you think?

Yeah, unless you see yourself recording more acoustic instruments or 'airy' vocals I'm not sure you'll get a whole lot out of that. Maybe a subtle improvement as a drum overhead or recording a small combo amp or something. Not a huge waste of money or anything, but probably not essential.

.......

More on the 12 string front: turns out most stores barely keep them in stock, save for a cheap Takamine or whatever, so that's a natural deterrent. Even the guitar graveyard that is CME only has a dozen at the moment.

RE: 12 strings, someone else mentioned this, but what about just getting a regular old cheap acoustic and stringing it up Nashville style (bottom 3 strings up an octave)?

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:27 am RE: 12 strings, someone else mentioned this, but what about just getting a regular old cheap acoustic and stringing it up Nashville style (bottom 3 strings up an octave)?

Hadn't previously heard of that, will look into it. (edit: ok I get it now. A neat recording trick perhaps, and I do have a Yairi that mostly sits around..)

I suspect what I really want is just the 2 high strings doubled up, but I'm not sure how easy that is to achieve safely, and it's getting into custom build territory.

penningtron wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:34 am

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:27 am RE: 12 strings, someone else mentioned this, but what about just getting a regular old cheap acoustic and stringing it up Nashville style (bottom 3 strings up an octave)?

Hadn't previously heard of that, will look into it. (edit: ok I get it now. A neat recording trick perhaps, and I do have a Yairi that mostly sits around..)

I suspect what I really want is just the 2 high strings doubled up, but I'm not sure how easy that is to achieve safely, and it's getting into custom build territory.

Ibanez was making that exact thing for a bit. It's been a while since I've even been in a store to see if they are still in production, but there's always second hand.

If it's about the top two courses on a twelve string though...

Maybe try out a bouzouki/octave mandolin?

penningtron wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:34 am

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:27 am RE: 12 strings, someone else mentioned this, but what about just getting a regular old cheap acoustic and stringing it up Nashville style (bottom 3 strings up an octave)?

Hadn't previously heard of that, will look into it. (edit: ok I get it now. A neat recording trick perhaps, and I do have a Yairi that mostly sits around..)

I suspect what I really want is just the 2 high strings doubled up, but I'm not sure how easy that is to achieve safely, and it's getting into custom build territory.

Weirdly, all of the production 8-strings have the middle two doubled. So maybe try one of those?

https://www.sweetwater.com/c602--Acoust ... lsrc=aw.ds

tommy wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:25 am Weirdly, all of the production 8-strings have the middle two doubled. So maybe try one of those?

https://www.sweetwater.com/c602--Acoust ... lsrc=aw.ds

Yeah, that makes more sense from a lateral tension standpoint. Most of them are baritones though, which I can't really make work with my smallish hands (unless I play more bass-like parts).

I liked 8 string baritones way more than I thought I would. the Mahogany ones are crazy