Anyone out there play an 11-string?

[Neal]

In a recent post, I talked about the joys of owning a 12-string again. A big, beautiful, blonde Guild jumbo 12-string, to be precise.

I play with a heavy hand and a fat (2.0 to 3.0) pick, and have broken three of the upper-octave G strings in the process of getting to know this guitar. Two were on sets of 10-47's, and the latest a beefier set of 12-52's.

Being lazy and cheap, I decided to give the guitar a try without that G string. And I like it a lot. It loses a little of the zing on the upper trebles, which I think tones down a bit of brightness in the guitar generally, and gives that big bottom end more room to come through.

Has anyone else ditched the skinny G?

 

[awagner]

The "skinny G" is the most important string on a 12-string, in my view. It's what gives the 12-string its distinctive sound, more than the other doubled octave strings.

 

[crank]

Check ou Rob Butler, Australian guitarist. He plays with 11.

 

[chazmo]

I've heard of folks playing it a 9-string, and I think Keith Richards actually had a custom 10-string, Neal. Never heard of anyone just removing string 6 (G), but I have definitely played that way since the G-string is almost always the string that breaks on me when it happens.

 

[Bonneville88]

John Butler Trio rocks!

https://www.youtube.com/user/jbtdotcom

 

[Cougar]

Yeah, I've played with 11 for a while after the G string broke. Then I replaced it. 'Cause it's a 12-string!

 

[Nuuska]

I have played my F212CE 10-string - because while playing amplified, the D- & G-octave strings were just way too loud for my fingerstyle playing. My F512 has different soundholehumbucker - but unfortunately it does not fit between the top & strings.

Acoustically F212CE sounds just fine w 12 strings.

 

[Heath]

I’ve played with 10, eliminating one of the octaves on the E & B, making it easier to play melody lines (thanks Wileypickett!) and I’ve heard Kottke plays 12, but prefers to make the G a (edit) unison pair. Maybe that would be up your alley?

 

[lonesome picker]

I agree that the octave G is what makes a 12 string. In fact Martin made made a Roger McGuinn 7 string model. It was a D-28 with an added octave G.

I knew a guy who played finger style with a thumb pick. He found the octave low E and A strings to be too much with a thumb pick so he played a "10 String".

 

[chazmo]

I’ve played with 10, eliminating one of the octaves on the E & B, making it easier to play melody lines (thanks Wileypickett!) and I’ve heard Kottke plays 12, but prefers to make the G an octave pair as well. Maybe that would be up your alley?

Heath, I'm confusedI? The G course (strings 5 and 6) are octaves already.

 

[Heath]

Heath, I'm confusedI? The G course (strings 5 and 6) are octaves already.

You’re right. I meant unison pair. So the top three would be unisons, bottom three pairs octaves. Sorry, I’m very tired today!

 

[Brad Little]

Like Heath, at one time (OMG 50 years ago!) I played with only singles on the 'e' and 'b' strings for clarity in single line leads. Been using all 12 since. FWIW, Leadbelly used a unison for the 'G' string and a double octave on the low 'E.'. He also tuned way down, sometimes down to 'C' or thereabouts.

 

[plaidseason]

That's the one octave I wouldn't remove. I've enjoyed playing 7 string (with an AddString), and regularly ponder turning my 12 string into a 8 or 9 string (like Waylon).

 

[wileypickett]

Like Heath, at one time (OMG 50 years ago!) I played with only singles on the 'e' and 'b' strings for clarity in single line leads. Been using all 12 since. FWIW, Leadbelly used a unison for the 'G' string and a double octave on the low 'E.'. He also tuned way down, sometimes down to 'C' or thereabouts.

What you used to do, I still do. All my 12-strings are 10-strings (singles on the high E and B strings). I take one of the leftover high E strings and replace the octave G string with that. It's a thicker gauge and rarely breaks.

I also tune the low E down to A, B, or C, depending on what open tuning I'm using.

 

[davismanLV]

Wow, I can't remember the last time I broke a string. Must be 25 years or more. Of course, now that I've said that....

And Don is selling his Martin 12-string so it's gotta have new strings. I've never done a 12-string. My nerves have a default setting of 6 strings, so get the tranquilizer gun ready. By 12 I should be a basket case!!

 

[Bernie]

Taylor has a couple guitars with 8 and 9 strings (I believe it's 8 & 9). I think the D and G are always doubled, can't remember if it's A or B on the 9 strings. They are doing well with these and quite a few guys use them...Some interesting ideas in this thread.

 

[twocorgis]

Wow, I can't remember the last time I broke a string. Must be 25 years or more. Of course, now that I've said that....

And Don is selling his Martin 12-string so it's gotta have new strings. I've never done a 12-string. My nerves have a default setting of 6 strings, so get the tranquilizer gun ready. By 12 I should be a basket case!!

Using Taylor's method and a power winder (which I know you have), it's really not that bad Tom, unless it's a slothead! scroll down a bit for 12er instructions.

As for me? I keep some extra 9s around for when the octave G inevitably breaks. Something like 89 cents per, not too bad.

 

[merlin6666]

The "skinny G" is the most important string on a 12-string, in my view. It's what gives the 12-string its distinctive sound, more than the other doubled octave strings.

Indeed. I love playing solos just up and down on the octaved G strings. Check out the Martin HD7 Mcguinn signature that just has the octave G as a 7-string.

 

[crank]

I remember reading John Butler, not Rob as I erroneously referred to him in my last post, Anyway, he took the high octave string off the G because it sounded to "chimey" playing leads. I kind of agree with him depending on what I'm playing. Definitely too happy sounding for blues IMO.

I've read that the high G breaks on a lot of 12 string guitars. Never broke any string on my 412 in 9 years of playing it.

 

[Tom O]

Spider John Koerner played a 7 string with an octive? G. Maybe you should try a different brand of strings. I have three twelves and rarely break the G octive.