David Crosby's 12-String

[gjmalcyon]

Issue 25 of The Fretboard Journal features David Crosby, and talks a bit about his famous converted Martin D-18 12-string.

I'm looking at the full-page photo of the sound hole and bridge, and I notice he's got the octave g-string to the treble side, with all the other octave strings on the bass ("normal"???) side.

Anybody else do that?

 

[idealassets]

I notice he's got the octave g-string to the treble side

What a tricky guy. I didn't know that Cros was such a 12 string fan until I bought the Fretboard issue and read the entire article.

Apparently he was a 12 string fan way back in the 60's, so he must have a good reason to invert the octive strings like that on "G". It would appear that he would have to have a nut in the guitar that would match that setup.

Craig

 

[AcornHouse]

Aside from the inverted G-strings, I'm noticing the bridge pin setup. Not knowing the backstory of his Martin, we're they built to have both strings use the same hole and pin, or was this a converted 6string body?

EDIT: Nevermind, found the story. Surprised its held up so well.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Yes - started life as a 6-string D-18. His luthier in the SF Bay area added the 12-string neck, moved the bridge down, and covered the old bridgepin holes with that oversized pickguard. He keeps it tuned down below concert pitch.

You can see and hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm6Fo9VMI3k

 

[davismanLV]

Awwwww..... and Joni song to boot!! That was fun.

"And I play if you have the money
Or if you're a friend to me
But the one man band
By the quick-lunch stand
He was playin' real good
And free...... "

 

[Christopher Cozad]

...I notice he's got the octave g-string to the treble side, with all the other octave strings on the bass ("normal"???) side...

Deliberate?

Or "inspired" (consider the era, and the owner)?

Thank you for the thread. I had never considered exploring the sonic possibilities behind using a single hole for 2 strings. I am now intrigued.

Christopher

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I'm looking at the full-page photo of the sound hole and bridge, and I notice he's got the octave g-string to the treble side, with all the other octave strings on the bass ("normal"???) side?

It's all about the jangle!

He probably got that from Roger McGuinn's Ric, (strung with the octaves strings below) from when they we're in the Byrds together!

McGuinn's signiture Martin 7-string still has it the same way!

I saw Roger perform last year and he had his Martin and spoke about needing the "jangle".

 

[killdeer43]

I saw Roger perform last year and he had his Martin and spoke about needing the "jangle".

For that "jingle jangle morning" no doubt. :wink:

Joe

 

[walrus]

That was great link, thanks! I learned how to play that song several years ago, what a great song! Back in the 70's I saw CSN live, and that was the song Crosby did for his solo spot. That was when he was having some major drug issues, but he still played that song beautifully...

The article is really interesting, but I missed that video link - thanks!

walrus