quote:Originally posted by Bill:
Any guitar players out there? I've owned a couple of Gibson B45 12's over the years (none now)...great sounding instruments that were beasts to play! First was a B45-12-N (natural finish top) from 1964 -- like Gord's in the early days. The second was a cherry sunburst like his later guitars. Incredible sound on both, but the wider than normal neck made them very tough on tendons of the left hand and arm. Many builders offer easy to play 12 strings now, but none (not even the high dollar ones) sound as good.
Interestingly, they are not highly prized in the vintage guitar market...$350 - $1000 depending on condition. Hard to find also, because vintage dealers don't like them usually. They usually take quite a bit of fret and neck work to keep them playable, and the bellys (top near the bridge) tend to pull up worse than most guitars. Troubles aside, it is quite magical to hear that famous tone when you play one for the first time...I've played 8 or 10 in stores over the years and they all sounded great...maybe someday I'll convince myself that tendonitis isn't so bad and find another one.
Wierd coincedence: both of my favorite artists play, or have played this guitar...Gord of course, but it was also Leo Kottke's main guitar for the early part of his career. His fingerpicking of the instrument is neat, and you do hear the familiar ring of it as with a Lightfoot tune. Kottke uses many open tunings, and I have adapted some Lightfoot tunes to open tuning -- makes for a much fuller sound when playing solo. I've also seen pictures of Jim Croce and Johnny Cash with them.
I Bill.Pleased to meet you.A critical aspect in the construction of the guitar`s
neck is the mass. A shaved down neck will have less inertia and therefore it will
affect the sustain, the higher harmonics of the guitar and eventualy the intonation.
Here are a few ways to circomvent that problem(that I kwow of):
There is a product on the market that adds mass to the neck (I think it is called the `Guitar Bell`).It`s a plate of brass that you install at the end of the
neck.It is easy to install and they don`t cost very much.
You can also find a good luthier (one that listens good) and have him build a
leaded neck for you.You can have the original neck shaved down too but...you
never know.And experienced luthier will know what kind of wood, or combination
of woods to use to duplicate the sound you are looking for.And a neck is less
expansive than buying a whole guitar.
I wish you luck in your qwest for the perfect sound.
By the way do you know a good mid priced score editor for windows?What features should it possess?See I`m into music,not programing.
Anyone is welcome to reply although I think this is not a GL related subject.
Drink yer glasses girls and boys it`s time to hit the Sky...
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