Justifying a 12 string

[Strumming Fool]

  This Seagull probably wouldn't sound like the Taylor Koa... but worth considering. It has a semi-gloss finish which should allow the wood to breathe more without suffering from finish checking or cracking, which can plague guitars with a thick gloss finish, when they are subjected to extreme atmospheric conditions. 

Joe

Taylor uses a UV cured finish that is much thinner than the older style celluloid gloss finishes. Consequently, it is significantly less susceptable to the checking or cracking that you see on more traditionally finished instruments. Just wanted to get the facts out there...None of my Taylors have had any finish problems, and I have lived in the northeast, southwest and mid south areas of the U.S. in all seasons...

[Joseph]

Thanks to Strumming Fool for getting the facts straight about Taylor gloss finishes. Also, after going back and reading Louis' first post on this subject, I realize that he wants to use it for actual gigs, not just playing at home.... my  bad....   In that case I totally understand looking at, and falling in love, with aTaylor 12 string... they sound awesome... and I know that they play very easily too. As much as I like the Guild F512, that I've had since the last century, I would love to get hold of and play a GS7-12, or GS8-12 string. I'm guessing they have a strong bass and volume like the 6 string versions... and are easier to play than the Guild (getting more important as my hands get older).

[Louis]

Thanks for the info Joe.I'm going to the city today and i'll try a few more .That K66 KOA sold boxing day when i called about it, it was second hand one and was over 4 grand new he said . I owned a pub for 16 yrs and played in bars back in the 70's when it was so smoky you couldn't even see across the room. So now i just want to play where it's nice and quiet with a classy type crowd in high end hotels and kinda thought it would be nice to have a 12 for the occasional number.Been playing around this site lately , i really like his teaching style, he sure gives a lot of time and don't charge much.
http://www.activemelody.com/lessons/free_lesson_content/the_turnaround/




edited for price

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

So what are you waiting for?  I think you'll find it useful for more than the occasional number.  Do you have a chance to get to the US?  Bozeman Montana is about a days drive from Alberta and there is a store there called Music Villa that has a fantastic selection of guitars.  Call them and they may have a K66 for you to try - when I was there they had a 355, 356, 656, 856, and a GA3-12.  The K66 new is about the same price that you stated here in the States but of course you would have to factor in your travel costs.  For a 12 string I would want the Taylor warranty in case I had neck or bridge issues in the future, my $0.02.

If your concerned only about the money but want a 12 string get the GA3-12, much cheaper and a fantastic guitar that would fit in for your occasional song - here's a link for reference - and you may get 15% off if you call them (it's a lefty in this add but the righty is the same price) we can't post prices here.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/taylor-2012-ga3-12-l-sapele-spruce-grand-auditorium-12-string-left-handed-acoustic-guitar

I bought the K66 BC I knew if I got the GA3-12 solely BC of the cost I would eventually end up with the K66 anyway thus costing me more in the long run.

[Louis]

Lord love a duck smart guy, that's an idea.My kid is a hot shot drummer in fact is friends with the drummer from Brooks and Dunn who played with Faith Hill and Jewel . He has about 60 gr worth of drums and is on his way to Montana from Calgary this morning cause he has a pick up place there .Sounds like a plan  thanks for that .He just called me cause were jamming in Calgary tonight

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

Awesome, ask for Blaze in the acoustic room and look at the Taylors, Martins, and Gibsons - then ask to see the guitars in "the room".....

[GuitarDogs62]

Hi Louis:

   My first 12-string that I started playing on is a a Yamaha FG720-12. This guitar is being traded in later this year for a Taylor GA3-12. I was in Sam Ash and Guitar center with the wife this past fall and just was in one of my 12 string moods(Meaning all I want to play is 12 string). I must of played all the 12 strings I could that day. I had a great time. Then in Guitar center I seen a Taylor GA3-12 and picked it up and only strummed it and right then and there had to sit down and give this instrumnet a go. The guitar was extremely comfortable and for me easy to play. I had more than enough room for my fingers. But when this guitar was strummed it was the best sound of the day. I really gotten in to playing on it. My wife looked at me and went uh ohh. So two weeks ago I picked this 12 string back up again and still felt the same way about it. So I will be trading in my last two Yamaha's in and am currently saving so I can just walk into the store with my trade in's, pay the difference in cash off and go home and enjoy this new instrument with no bills or payments to worry about. Now I play John Denver songs and also picking the 12 string quite a bit as well. My current 12 string comes to the weekly jam sessions every now and then and really quite fits in nicely on alot of songs including Bluegrass. I cannot tell you which model of a Taylor 12 string is best for you, but I can tell you that a 12 string if you love and play like I do can be justified. Now to my wife, See she's me saving for it here and there and has no problem with me going to buy it. What is cool about it, is she likes to come along and see it and hear me play it as well. She is learning Banjo so she see's it fitting in to us playing Bluegrass together. Which ever Taylor 12 string you buy, enjoy it and simply just love playing the day lights out of it.

Andy

[Louis]

Thanks Andy, i'm still looking into it, and if my hero here plays one they can't be all that bad . I plan on going to Kansas in May for a flight simulator conference so when i'm in the States i'll most likely make the mistake of going into a music store over there and walking out with one .  Right beside Richie you'll see an iPAd. That's how i'm set up and just got one of them stands like he has  for the iPAD- man, no more sheet music --every thing is there with a program called ONSONG.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5bDO_obWX8

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