The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #50733   Message #3524422
Posted By: Mooh
09-Jun-13 - 08:22 AM
Thread Name: Any serious 12 strings players left?
Subject: RE: Any serious 12 strings players left?
A couple of songs with my contemporary Irish/Canadian singer friend and band were in need of a change and the simple solution was the sonic addition of a 12 string. There was room in the mix, and the jingle-jangle sound isn't enough to sway the strong singer. Complacency and laziness sometimes makes me ignore the sonic advantages of changing it up, but in truth a 12 string (or dobro, or alternate tuning, or baritone, or nylon, or bouzouki...) can be just what the doctor ordered.

One thing I like is the occasional zouk-like tones one can get by using just the lower courses, or the occasional mando-like tones one can get by using just the higher courses in the higher positions. I wouldn't likely use these for a whole song, but for some embellishment, it's useful.

I'd rather use a 12 string than electronic chorus effect, and I'd rather use a 12 string than a second guitarist for select songs.

Peace, Mooh.