6 to 12 string conversion article in Sing Out!

Subject: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: PHJim
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 12:32 AM

I recall an old Sing Out! article, from the sixties I believe, that gave instructions in converting a six string guitar to a twelve string. I believe they used a Harmony Sovereign, but I'm not sure. Could anyone direct me to that article? Joe Offer?

Subject: RE: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 07:23 AM

https://folkways-media.si.edu/liner_notes/folkways/FW08371.pdf

Takes about a minute to load.

Subject: RE: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 09:28 AM

If that really worked, why not add another 76 strings and a keyboard?

Subject: RE: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 04:04 PM

Oh, gee, Jim. Yes, I think I now have all the Sing Out! Magazines from the 1960s.
Any of these sound like what you're looking for?
https://openmusiclibrary.org/search/12-string/articles/publication/sing-out-the-folk-song-magazine/

Subject: RE: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 04:10 PM

David Crosby converted his 6 string Martin to a 12 string. He talks about it in an Acoustic Guitar Magazine article on You Tube entitled "David Crosby Talks About His Impressive Guitar Collection."

Subject: Make Your Own 12-String Guitar
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Nov 19 - 04:44 PM

Make Your Own 12-String Guitar
by Mark Carbone

Sing Out! Magazine
Vol. 13, No. 4, October-November 1963 pp. 47-49

I have noticed an increasing interest in the 12-string guitar in the last few issues of your magazine. I thought you might be interested in my experience in obtaining one of these fantastic Instruments. A couple of years ago, I purchased a Harmony Sovereign Jumbo 6-string guitar. Then I began to hear the 12-string guitar, and it began to affect me. My budget was too limited for me to purchase another guitar of fine quality, so I set out to convert my 6-stringer to a 12-stringer.

First I went to the local music shop and bought six banjo pegs (the vertical geared type). I also picked up two more guitar first strings, 2 seconds, 1 third, and 1 fourth string. Then to the hardware store for a 16/64” diameter drill bit for a hand drill, and a jeweler’s saw blade (a whole saw is not necessary). A hacksaw or zona saw is also needed.

Now, the first thing to do is to install the pegs in the peg-board. (Placement of the pegs is shown in diagram. [original pegs on the outside, new pegs in center]) When you bore the extra holes, be sure the holes are at a 90-degree angle to the surface. Now screw in the pegs.

Now here is the tough part. You must place grooves in the nut for the extra strings. As you face the instrument’s front, cut a groove with the hacksaw to the left of every string so that the outside edge of the string pairs (when you do install them) are 1/16” apart. Be careful of your measuring, for if they are too far from each other your fingering will be hampered; if the strings are too close to each other, they will collide when played. You may wonder if the strings will be too close together to play. No, your fingertips will be touching the area where the new strings will be anyway.

There may be one flaw: when you come to the 6th string, the groove may be too close to the end of the finger-board to stay on correctly (in most cases this is not true, but it may occur). If this happens, you must remove the existing nut and buy another. Install the new one, and space the grooves so there is no overhang. Care must be taken when you make the grooves, whether or not you install a new nut, that you do not cut the grooves so deep you have the strings jumping a fret. Conversely, make sure the strings are low enough for easy fingering.

The third part involves the bridge. You must have a pinless type bridge with a bone saddle. (Typical examples are found on any classical guitar.) Take the jewelers saw blade, and widen the hole for each string, working to the left, until you have an oval shape which has a diameter of 1/8”. Do this accurately for all six holes; this determines the distance between the string pairs at the saddle. Next, to insure the string’s staying sufficiently apart, groove, with the hacksaw, a light indentation for each string on the saddle.

Finally, wire up your strings as follows:

• First pair; two steel 1st strings tuned in unison to middle C.
• Second pair; two steel B, or 2nd strings tuned to G below middle C.
• Third pair; one third string tuned to Eb below middle C, and one first string tuned to E above middle C.
• Fourth pair; one fourth string tuned to Bb below C below middle C; and one second string tuned to Bb below middle C.
• Fifth pair; one fifth string tuned to F below C below middle C, and one third string tuned to F below middle C.
• Sixth pair; one sixth string tuned to C, two octaves below middle C; and one fourth string tuned to C below middle C.

I have done this on several different guitars, with complete success. I wouldn’t try this stunt on an instrument with a top less than 1/8” thick.

The price:

$15.00-banjo pegs
    1.00-drill bit
    0.05-jewelers saw blade
    1.30-six extra strings
    0.50-zona saw
      $17.85

That price isn’t much, when you find that there are no really good 12- stringers priced under $179.50. I daresay my Harmony will compete with a Gibson for tone. There are many fine 6-stringers selling for a fraction of 12- stringers’ prices.

---

Is that the article you wanted, Jim? I have to admit that I share Jack's skepticism, but it was fun looking through all those old magazines and actually finding the article.

Subject: RE: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: Rex
Date: 10 Nov 19 - 01:48 PM

Whooee! This goes all the way back to the first issue in 1950.
What a resource. Thanks to all of you for pointing it out.

Rex

Subject: RE: 6 to 12 string article in Sing Out!
From: PHJim
Date: 17 Nov 19 - 12:17 PM

I believe I thanked you in a private email Joe, but lest Mudcat folks think I'm not appreciative, I'll repeat it here.
Thanks a lot.
Jim