stella 12 string

[kdavid]

i placed a bid on this, just to get my name in on it, but i need to ask about these guitars.
always wanted one, & as most of you know money (or lack thereof) is an issue with me.
the neck heel has pulled up some & would like an idea as to whats involved with repairing
it. is there a quick & dirty method? is it even worth it? whence, wither, what do i mean...
i am looking for another 12 string, & am hunting for one that rumbles--like the GAD F212 that i had
a few years ago (tuned down to D), not the chimey thing that most 12ers sound like.
am i even on the right track?
thanks in advances

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230962079280&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:US:3160

 

[southernGuild]

I have no real idea about those Kevin, the history, value, etc, But it looks nice. When I think Stella 12string I think Leadbelly. 8)
I also think "budget", but that may not be a bad thing. I like those tuners on this one.
But Yea.....Work involved in this one...so more costs are certainly a-coming. I guess it depends on what you can get it for.
But, Maybe to rescue a Guild would be a better deal in the end. :roll:
Ahhhh guitar research.

On the other hand, I had my 212XL tuned down a bit, and had fun doing those Leadbelly runs. Sounded fine. :wink:

 

[kdavid]

i would love a Guild again, but ive got to put that away for the future--something to aspire to

 

[southernGuild]

:wink: Fair enough. Lets hope this one stays low. Cool guitar! 8)

 

[Ridgemont]

I am not sure of a quick and dirty method for fixing the neck. I have heard people try it on old Yamahas but I do not remember whether they had success. A reset will probably cost at least $300.

Yes Leadbelly and Blind Willie McTell come to mind. I bet it is a fun guitar. Looks like a Birch top.

 

[SFIV1967]

As it sounds like the guitar is pretty unplayable you would need to completely take the neck off and reset it. Shouldn't be too much work now as the neck heel is already halfway off. Just reglueing the heel will not fix the high action of the guitar as it sounds.
Ralf

 

[AcornHouse]

As it sounds like the guitar is pretty unplayable you would need to completely take the neck off and reset it. Shouldn't be too much work now as the neck heel is already halfway off. Just reglueing the heel will not fix the high action of the guitar as it sounds.
Ralf

Definitely a reset, and I bet it will need some shims in the dovetail. If the heel can pull up that much, it probably no longer is capable of having a tight joint unless some extra wood is added to fill the gap enough to draw the dovetail tight.
As much as repairmen cry about the difficulty of removing Guild necks, when you're dealing with the forces of 12 strings, you want as beefy a join as possible.

 

[zombywoof]

It is not a Stella Mode3l F65. That is the date stamp - Fall 1965. Harmony made basically two Stella 12s - a large and small body. Sorting out the model numbers can be a chore since they tended to change. There should be a model number inside the guitar. If interested you can then get some info on the guitar by checking teh Harmony Guitar Database. Lots of good info there.

Prety much if it is a Stella it has had a neck reset or will need one. And you will need to tune the guitar down. I would say to at least a C#.

Anway, I like these Stella 12s. especially the bigger body version. They sound alot better than you would think based on the six string Stellas. In the 1950s, I think they were the only 12 strings that were even being made.

Anyway, congrats - as you saw by the number of bids there alot of folks out there looking for one of these.

 

[zombywoof]

I have no real idea about those Kevin, the history, value, etc, But it looks nice. When I think Stella 12string I think Leadbelly. 8)

The Stellas played by Leadbelly, Blind Willie McTell, Barbecuse Bob and others were a far cry from the Harmony -made Stellas. In the 1930s Stellas were made by Oscar Schmidt. Harmony acquired the rights to both the Stella and Sovereign names from Schmidt in 1940. Today, a jumbo Schmidt-made Stella 12 string like Leadbelly played can run you $10K.

 

[kdavid]

well--based on the research i did which (a lot of ) was repeated here, i let myself be outbid.
the money that it would have taken to get back into playable shape would better be put to use
taking care of McKaila here e.g. partial refret, & stuff.
thankfully shes no where near needing a reset

 

[southernGuild]

The Stellas played by Leadbelly, Blind Willie McTell, Barbecuse Bob and others were a far cry from the Harmony -made Stellas. In the 1930s Stellas were made by Oscar Schmidt. Harmony acquired the rights to both the Stella and Sovereign names from Schmidt in 1940. Today, a jumbo Schmidt-made Stella 12 string like Leadbelly played can run you $10K.

Thanks ZWolf. That's good solid info. I had no idea of the change over at Stella. Thanks. :wink:
Kevin, Yea, I'd agree. Sounds like stepping away is the right move with this one.

 

[zombywoof]

Probably smart to let the guitar go as it went for alot more than it was worth considering its condition. If you want one in good shape and have a bit of patience, keep an eye on Neil Harpe's Stella guitar site. While he mostly offers the old Schmidt instruments he does now and then list Harmony Stella 12s. And eveything he sells is in 100% perfect playing condition.

 

[kdavid]

i just found him--great site. esp for an old fart like me with lusts for the guitars that i first learned on :lol:

 

[zombywoof]

Neil is a great guy and always seems to have a couple of run for the drool bucket guitars. Other than Schmidt-made guitars he is also a fan of the early Gibson B45-12s. He just helped me figure out one I own which had some oddities about it.

 

[mutantmoose]

If I may make an alternative recommendation - I have a Seagull 12 string that is ALMOST as good as my Guild D212. Almost. Great neck, easy to play, good action, and much cheaper than a Guild. Try a Seagull 12 if you can - they are really quite nice.

 

[chazmo]

wise decision, kdavid. An original Stella is an historical piece of musical history and would deserve serious restoration. One of these later models, while it'd be fun to have, doesn't seem like the right choice for you.

 

[chazmo]

By the way, another source of great information on Stellas is Hans Brentrup. He's not a member here, but he posts on the AGF and the UMGF (12-string forum), where Neil posts as well. Hans has made at least one magnificent Stella-inspired guitar.

 

[zombywoof]

I am not quite sure the Harmony Stellas classify as a piece of muscial history. But any guitar that you love is worth putting the money needed into to get to to where it can again do what it was designed to do. I have out mnore into guitars than they worth and will probably do it again. Never once regretted it.