TAC Family Forums

Throwin’ this long-winded post out there onto the “if anybody cares” pile.

This my 12-string, “4-days-in” update- (😒wow….. big deal….). So let’s keep that in perspective. These are just my opinions, based mostly on my own abilities or lack of, at this stage in my guitar journey. The ONLY reason I’m puttin’ this out there is because I had absolutely NO idea of what to expect when or if I wanted to consider a 12-string, and maybe my babble can help someone else considering one. Please also remember I’m really closer to “beginner” than to “intermediate” in overall ability, so that’s where these viewpoints come from. Much more experienced players, I certainly expect, would have much different thought processes.

Anyway, here goes….

Same as a 6-string? Not even. Different? YES. Waaaaaay different? Not that much. Harder? Right now-for me? Yes. “Worth it”? Yes. (because I EXPECTED it to be much more involved- much more “concentration” needed). And also– because of “that sound”.

The 12-string I have is a tank compared to my 6-string Fender dreadnaught-style, where the neck feels soooo much smaller and easier to work around. The 12 is not-so-much. By comparison, the neck is a “herc-meister”.

I’ve got a strategy going of practicing/playing the 12 for the FIRST half of the total session, then going to the 6. The 12-string requires SOOOO much more precision, accuracy, and concentration to ring clear- (far from even “OK” at it– for now).

Having a 12-er WILL make me a better 6-string player, sooner. Much sooner– because of the heightened concentration.

Anyway, upon changing over to the 6, it just does not even feel like the same guitar I’ve been playing almost every day for a year now. My fingers move around that thing like they’re two inches longer, and I’ve just gained 6 months of experience.

Been takin’ it slow with the 12. Lots of individual-note kind of exercises, and A thru G chords in majors, minors, 7th’s, and 5th’s. S-L-O-W and deliberate.

Even tried to monkey with a couple of TAB-songs by the Byrds and Beatles🙃.

Anyway– fun so far– and of course, that sound!

Mark J

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by  the-old-coach.