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Post by flashart on Aug 3, 2019 12:01:59 GMT
I've Eko deluxe 12 string which I adore but I'm now looking for something to take "out". (holidays, parties etc)
A pickup would be nice but it's not a deal breaker. I could get another Ranger XII for £230ish but I've been looking at the Paul Brett Vintages.
Most 12 strings have a pegged bridge but the Paul Brett Statesboro model has a tailpiece so the pressure of the strings are pressing down rather than pulling up.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the (literal) strengths or weaknesses of each.
Also, the 15degree raked back long headstock looks a bit of magnet for knocks etc.
In short, good tone is all very well, but could I fell a zombie with it?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 3, 2019 14:49:27 GMT
I have one of the original Paul Brett 12ers, which has served me well - excellent acoustically and totally trouble free and good sounding plugged in. If you trawl though my Youtube channel you'll find several unplugged vids and one of a solo plugged in set where the first few songs were on the 12er. I usually keep it tuned down 3 or 4 frets for a proper 12 string growl as opposed a standard tuned jangle.
I haven't played the newer Statesboro ones so can't comment specifically. Worth looking at the Vintage Gordon Giltrap 12er too.
As to pinned or floating bridge I wouldn't worry overmuch either way. The tops are braced differently to get the best out of each design.
I had an Eko Ranger 12er for many years, but it did eventually succumb to the bridge lifting at the back, probably made worse by the fact that I removed the colossally thick and probably structural finish from the top. Very much liked it - nice sound though quiet. V playable neck.
Play as many as you can and report back!
Keith
The unplugged vids are obvious though a few years back, whereas the plugged in one is hard to find, so it's here for you to enjoy/ignore/shout at as you wish. The built in pickup went straight into the desk and needed virtually no tweaking.
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Post by curmudgeon on Aug 5, 2019 9:44:22 GMT
We've all seen and played those old Eko 12 strings although I never had one myself. I fully expect that after then end of the world there will be nothing left but cockroaches and Eko guitars!
I have two 12 strings -a Martin D12-20, which was rebuilt by Martin in 1998 and customised to X35 trim, and a more recently acquird Harmony H1270.
I love to play both and the Harmony has the advantage of a 2" nut width, but the disadvantage of a tailpiece insomuch as threading the strings can be a bit of a trial.
Here are both demonstrated :
and here is a little vid about the joys of restringing the H1270 :
I play these wherever I can get to play - and don't worry too much about damage, although my guitar is always the last thing taken out and the first thing put back into its case, and, of course, never let anyone else play them!
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Post by NikGnashers on Aug 5, 2019 18:13:16 GMT
We've all seen and played those old Eko 12 strings although I never had one myself. I fully expect that after then end of the world there will be nothing left but cockroaches and Eko guitars! LOL this made me chuckle !
I have a mid 70's EKO 12 string. It's battered, has splits in the top, needs new frets, probably worth sod-all. It sounds wonderful.....
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Post by curmudgeon on Aug 6, 2019 15:32:53 GMT
We've all seen and played those old Eko 12 strings although I never had one myself. I fully expect that after then end of the world there will be nothing left but cockroaches and Eko guitars! LOL this made me chuckle !
I have a mid 70's EKO 12 string. It's battered, has splits in the top, needs new frets, probably worth sod-all. It sounds wonderful.....
You could probably attack an Iranian oil tanker and win with that guitar!
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Post by andy3sheds on Aug 11, 2019 21:06:54 GMT
Keith I think the description of the finish as "probably structural" is very apt I've always thought of it as single glazing
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Post by scorpiodog on Aug 12, 2019 9:46:03 GMT
I'd not try to put you off buying one of the Paul Brett 12 strings (I, like Keith, have one of the PB12's and it's very good especially in low tunings), but if you're looking for a guitar you can take anywhere, you can often find an old beaten up Eko from the 70's for 50 quid or so. I've just had a quick look at eBay and there doesn't seem to be one at the moment. But they are about in charity shops and the like. As has already been said, it doesn't matter what the apparent condition, they hang together in a quite extraordinary way.
I have one I bought new in 1970 and it looks disgusting, but it still plays well enough. Sounds good too, although it is a bit quiet.
I think the cockroaches will play them after a nuclear war.
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