Dr Tony Balls wrote:I play one, but havent ever live. Tuning takes longer, but I wouldnt worry about string breakage. One, its gonna be harder to dig in and break a string. And two, if you break one, fuck it! You maybe lose the octave on one string? It'll be fine.Agreed. On the off chance you do break one, you will likely be the only person who notices or cares.

If you want the Byrds/Smiths jangle thing, that's where a compressor is essential. If you're really going for it with that kind of tone, it's the AMP that becomes optional.

I haven't used it live, but I record a lot with an early 00's Danelectro 12-string. I had it set up as a 9-string for a while when I used it to double distorted tracks as the low three octave strings got super muddy with any sort of distortion. I mostly use it now with a Jangle Box compressor which nails the Johnny Marr thing pretty well.

In one project I use a 12 string. Generally I use a 9 or 10 string configure on guitars like this committing to having extra bass strings +4 or treble +3. In this group I use doubled treble detuned like Arto Lindsay in DNA, Link to soundcloud or band album recording;https://soundcloud.com/lsd-25/sets/tetraphobiaI do occasional shows with the drummer and 12 string apparently in the last few years this type of thing has become more popular for booking at NYC clubs.I sometimes double the bass strings were things get interesting is how you tune the sympathetic strings, for example on the four bass strings tuning in a sixth for one finger power chords while playing licks on the treble strings.I use one of these Yamaha SG 12 strings which I find pretty great and I sometimes use it as a 6 string to get the Link Wray thing going. This guitar has some nice features; super low action (0 fret), nice whammy bar that stays in tune. It has a blend knob to add in the humbucker feature. As well as the Jag style rhythm and lead presets. Pretty advanced for a 1963 japan designed guitar which had features that kicked the big us companies offerings.Compressors can be nice for the jangle thing. In the above recording I use a varitone in a floor stomp to use that as a treble (bass cut filter) cause I want some ice pick bite. But some distortion or overdrive like OCD can accomplish some nice things with bite as well, cause you know a 12 string does not just have to be pretty.

I've used a CS-3 on mine, without hitting a Marr-y jangle sweet spot, and I'm weirdly prejudiced against compressors. Currently experimenting/trying to make do with my Sparkledrive or the boost channel of my Fulltone 3, which has that compressor-ish mini-pot. From my research, it looks like a Janglebox or Orange Squeezer clone or similar is the way - at the least a compressor with a blend knob. Childishly, I kinda feel > 150 is a step too far for me at the mo. Fender have now got a blend-knob compressor, The Bends, but I suspect it'll be a disappointment.

Dudley wrote:I've used a CS-3 on mine, without hitting a Marr-y jangle sweet spot, and I'm weirdly prejudiced against compressors. Currently experimenting/trying to make do with my Sparkledrive or the boost channel of my Fulltone 3, which has that compressor-ish mini-pot. From my research, it looks like a Janglebox or Orange Squeezer clone or similar is the way - at the least a compressor with a blend knob. Childishly, I kinda feel > 150 is a step too far for me at the mo. Fender have now got a blend-knob compressor, The Bends, but I suspect it'll be a disappointment.The Pigtronix Philosopher s Tone has a "Blend" control and a "Treble" control.- https://pigtronix.com/product/philosophers-tone-micro/

Big John wrote:In one project I use a 12 string. Generally I use a 9 or 10 string configure on guitars like this committing to having extra bass strings +4 or treble +3. In this group I use doubled treble detuned like Arto Lindsay in DNA, Link to soundcloud or band album recording;https://soundcloud.com/lsd-25/sets/tetraphobiaHey this is great!

I just played the 12 string through the Harmonic Percolator and I saw several mice run out of the house into the woods.

Angus Jung wrote:Check this thread for some good discussion/info.Dang! Pesky hyphen/search function. It did seem weird there weren't any 12 string, I mean 12-string threads. Sorry.