I got this for $3. This past Christmas, I bought myself an Ibanez 12 string acoustic guitar and I was eager to learn any new tricks on how to play it. Below is the guitar.
I was greatly influenced both by Ledbelly and Pete Seeger who played the 12 string on an album I posted earlier. I liked what Seeger referred to as the bell effect. So I decided, if I could get one cheap (under $500) I would. I believe the Ibanez was under $300. Off the bat. I enjoyed playing it but as of late the newness of it has kind of worn off. Straight up, I hate tuning the thing. But once it is in tune, it is somewhat fun to play. I would like to learn some new techniques and styles to apply and that is what I was looking for when I got this album.
Part of me was kind of hoping my conceptions of 12 string would be shattered or it would render an eureka moment. That did not happen the first time around listening to this. I have not made it a second time yet. I can’t find any technique other than applying 6 string concepts to 12. And unfortunately, while I would like to progress more on the 12 string , all my time with musical instruments involves keeping the 6 string skills active. Someday maybe.
As for this album, it is not bad. It is a pretty good cross section of musicians playing acoustic tunes on the 12 string, all instrumentals if my memory serves me right. These musicians include Glenn Campbell, Mason Williams, Bob Gibson, James McQuinn, Howard Roberts, Joe Maphis, and Billy Strange. The songs are short which is nice when you have a ton of records in your back log. And there are a lot of good songs on the record. Overall, a pleasant little album.
For a sample, I went with Mason Williams’ “Honey Miss Me When I’m Gone”, and Joe Maphis’ “Six by Twelve”, which I think is the best number. Williams is best known for writing and recording “Classical Gas”. He is still alive. Maphis, on the other hand, is dead. Known for his mastery of many instruments and his work in country music, the King of Strings was heavily influenced by the great Mother Maybelle Carter. Out of respect for Maphis, Carter’s daughter June and her husband, Johnny Cash allowed him to be buried in the plot next to Maybelle.
Satisfactory