12 String Guitars - why?

Subject: RE: 12 String Guitars - why?
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Oct 19 - 03:28 PM

I heard John Denver in concert about 1967. He had a guitar; maybe it was a 12-string, maybe it was that 18-string mentioned above. He tuned it all night. When he wasn't singing, he was tuning. Tiresome!
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Hi, skarpi. Nice to hear from you. I hope you get some sunshine soon.

I like the sound of the 12-string. A 12-string is friendly.

Subject: RE: 12 String Guitars - why?
From: PHJim
Date: 15 Oct 19 - 05:21 PM

John Denver's 18 string Gibson

Subject: RE: 12 String Guitars - why?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 05:34 AM

PHJim said, "The Canadian painter Tom Thompson owned a 12 string mandolin with triple string courses. It resides in the Tom Thompson Museum in Owen Sound, Ontario."

Haven't been there in a long time and don't remember seeing the mandolin. I'm not far. I should return. Thanks for the heads-up.

Subject: RE: 12 String Guitars - why?
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 09:28 AM

From mostly idle curiosity, how many people making comments actually play a 12-string?

Subject: RE: 12 String Guitars - why?
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 11:08 AM

Leenia said
"I heard John Denver in concert about 1967. He had a guitar; maybe it was a 12-string, maybe it was that 18-string mentioned above. He tuned it all night. When he wasn't singing, he was tuning. Tiresome!"

Which only proves the adage that 12-string players spend half their time tuning.
The other half they spend playing out of tune.

Subject: RE: 12 String Guitars - why?
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Dec 19 - 11:40 AM

I disagree with that. A friend plays a 12 with us sometimes, and she does not spend a lot of time tuning. And I like the sound of a 12-string. It's like crystals, or a waterfall, somehow.

No instrument is played perfectly in tune. An instrument in perfect tune sounds like a computer beep.

As for John Denver, he was quite young at the time. I suspect that hoisting the guitar high on his shoulder (so he could press his ear against it) was a great way to get attention from all the girls.