silly idea and question

Wolfgang

Joined: Mar 24, 2023
Posts: 7

Posted on Jul 07 2024 10:18 PM

Got a new squier 12 string jazzmaster and thought it would be cool (or masochistic) to have tremolo on a 12 string.
Which lead to me wondering were 12 strings used at all by any surf bands?
No songs come to mind but I am sure one could work one in.

Thoughts?

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JohnnyMosrite

Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 901
New York City area

Posted on Jul 07 2024 10:56 PM

Wolfgang,
I have to think just tuning a 12 string is a hassle. It's why I've never owned one. And you want a whammy bar on it, too??!! Good luck with all that.
Closest tune I can think of that might have a 12 string is The Ventures "Eight Miles High" - not exactly surf but more of the Byrds folk rock of the 1960s.

All my humble opinion, of course
J Mo'

Last edited: Jul 07, 2024 22:57:34

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AgentClaret

Joined: Jan 30, 2024
Posts: 130
United States

Posted on Jul 07 2024 10:58 PM

Let us hear what you come up with!

I feel like there's 12 string with a ton of reverb in "It's My Life" by The Animals so I'm sort of picturing that but drippier?

Last edited: Jul 07, 2024 22:59:01

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Jul 08 2024 01:20 AM

One of my favorite 2nd(?) wave bands The Falcons from Canada used a 12 string to great effect...

—

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

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revmike

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3806
North Atlantic
Canada

Posted on Jul 08 2024 06:49 AM

Mark Malibu and the Wasagas from Toronto use a 12 string on several of their songs.

Rev

—

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

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Sonichris

Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1894
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
United States

Posted on Jul 08 2024 07:13 PM

The Surfaris - Storm Surf.

—

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

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chiba

Joined: Sep 02, 2022
Posts: 516
Central VA
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2024 08:39 AM

AgentClaret wrote:

I feel like there's 12 string with a ton of reverb in "It's My Life" by The Animals...

"A ton" might be subjective, but you're definitely hearing a 12-string on that song

I used my Rick 330/12 on a couple songs on my first EP. Plan to continue using it in the future as well!

—

--
Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available!

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Millwinder

Joined: Jan 25, 2014
Posts: 97
Toronto
Canada

Posted on Jul 09 2024 09:58 AM

Hey Wolfgang,... Mike is right... Mark Malibu and the Wasagas have always used 12 string electrics in our set and on our LPs. Check out our songs "12 Year Surf Itch" or "Hip Shake Go-Go Baby" for example.

I would advise against a trem on the guitar. I have always used hard-tails and they stay in tune pretty well over a set... and my guitars do get banged at shows quite a bit. I also went to the bottom of a pool once with my VOX but thats another story ! If you write and record something, post it here. Id love to hear it. Mark

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4452
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2024 12:31 PM

I know that I’ve seen 12 string electrics with a trem’, but they’ve never been common. 12 strings are enough of a challenge to keep in tune, even without a whammy bar, IMHO.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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beatcomber

Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2024 12:36 PM

Mosrite made a few 12-strings with a whammy.

—

THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4452
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2024 12:41 PM

That’s probably the one I remember seeing.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: Jul 09, 2024 13:10:09

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4452
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2024 01:42 PM

beatcomber wrote:

Mosrite made a few 12-strings with a whammy.

That headstock is absolutely perfect. As I guy that lived through the era, I just have to say that Mosrite would have been off-scale cool. If someone had shown up with that at my Jr. High talent show, they would’ve become and instant hero.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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RobinsonCrusoe

Joined: Aug 08, 2009
Posts: 49
Saarbruecken Germany
1 Calendar Pin

Posted on Jul 09 2024 02:36 PM

Andy Tielman from the Tielman Broters use e 10 String Jazzmasterhttps://www.zeroto180.org/andy-tielmans-10-string-guitar/

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DaveMudgett

Joined: Mar 17, 2019
Posts: 162
Central PA
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2024 10:08 PM

Here's the actual link to Andy Tielman's 12-string:

https://www.zeroto180.org/andy-tielmans-10-string-guitar/

12-strings work fine. A lot of the proto-middle-eastern music upon which a lot of surf is based uses double-course setups. I tend to like the short-scale 12-string mando-guitars - I use my TEO version of that for tremolo-picked stuff quite a bit. The Godfather Theme comes to mind immediately, but lots of tunes work well:

Interval-wise, it's generally tuned like a guitar, but tuned an octave up. Or listen to some Oud or Saz players. David Lindley had them in his arsenal for decades. OK, he wasn't technically a surf guitarist, but I'd say he was even more into that sound than many of us. Last time he was in the vicinity for a show, I had a good chance to talk to him about all of this - he was extremely knowledgeable. It ain't all about Jazzmasters, Jags, 6G15's, and Blonde Showmans.

—

The Delverados - surf, punk, trash, twang - Facebook
Chicken Tractor Deluxe - hardcore Americana - Facebook and Website
The Telegrassers - semi-electric bluegrass/Americana - Facebook

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Wolfgang Joined: Mar 24, 2023 Posts: 7	Posted on Jul 07 2024 10:18 PM Got a new squier 12 string jazzmaster and thought it would be cool (or masochistic) to have tremolo on a 12 string. Which lead to me wondering were 12 strings used at all by any surf bands? No songs come to mind but I am sure one could work one in. Thoughts? Top
JohnnyMosrite Joined: Jun 14, 2006 Posts: 901 New York City area	Posted on Jul 07 2024 10:56 PM Wolfgang, I have to think just tuning a 12 string is a hassle. It's why I've never owned one. And you want a whammy bar on it, too??!! Good luck with all that. Closest tune I can think of that might have a 12 string is The Ventures "Eight Miles High" - not exactly surf but more of the Byrds folk rock of the 1960s. All my humble opinion, of course J Mo' Last edited: Jul 07, 2024 22:57:34 Top
AgentClaret Joined: Jan 30, 2024 Posts: 130	Posted on Jul 07 2024 10:58 PM Let us hear what you come up with! I feel like there's 12 string with a ton of reverb in "It's My Life" by The Animals so I'm sort of picturing that but drippier? Last edited: Jul 07, 2024 22:59:01 Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11053 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Jul 08 2024 01:20 AM One of my favorite 2nd(?) wave bands The Falcons from Canada used a 12 string to great effect... — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3806 North Atlantic	Posted on Jul 08 2024 06:49 AM Mark Malibu and the Wasagas from Toronto use a 12 string on several of their songs. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
Sonichris Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 1894 Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies	Posted on Jul 08 2024 07:13 PM The Surfaris - Storm Surf. — "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been" Top
chiba Joined: Sep 02, 2022 Posts: 516 Central VA	Posted on Jul 09 2024 08:39 AM AgentClaret wrote: I feel like there's 12 string with a ton of reverb in "It's My Life" by The Animals... "A ton" might be subjective, but you're definitely hearing a 12-string on that song I used my Rick 330/12 on a couple songs on my first EP. Plan to continue using it in the future as well! — -- Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available! Top
Millwinder Joined: Jan 25, 2014 Posts: 97 Toronto	Posted on Jul 09 2024 09:58 AM Hey Wolfgang,... Mike is right... Mark Malibu and the Wasagas have always used 12 string electrics in our set and on our LPs. Check out our songs "12 Year Surf Itch" or "Hip Shake Go-Go Baby" for example. I would advise against a trem on the guitar. I have always used hard-tails and they stay in tune pretty well over a set... and my guitars do get banged at shows quite a bit. I also went to the bottom of a pool once with my VOX but thats another story ! If you write and record something, post it here. Id love to hear it. Mark Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4452 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jul 09 2024 12:31 PM I know that I’ve seen 12 string electrics with a trem’, but they’ve never been common. 12 strings are enough of a challenge to keep in tune, even without a whammy bar, IMHO. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
beatcomber Joined: Jun 30, 2019 Posts: 135 Massachusetts, USA	Posted on Jul 09 2024 12:36 PM Mosrite made a few 12-strings with a whammy. — THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod. CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake! Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4452 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jul 09 2024 12:41 PM That’s probably the one I remember seeing. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Last edited: Jul 09, 2024 13:10:09 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4452 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jul 09 2024 01:42 PM beatcomber wrote: Mosrite made a few 12-strings with a whammy. That headstock is absolutely perfect. As I guy that lived through the era, I just have to say that Mosrite would have been off-scale cool. If someone had shown up with that at my Jr. High talent show, they would’ve become and instant hero. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
RobinsonCrusoe Joined: Aug 08, 2009 Posts: 49 Saarbruecken Germany	Posted on Jul 09 2024 02:36 PM Andy Tielman from the Tielman Broters use e 10 String Jazzmasterhttps://www.zeroto180.org/andy-tielmans-10-string-guitar/ Top
DaveMudgett Joined: Mar 17, 2019 Posts: 162 Central PA	Posted on Jul 09 2024 10:08 PM Here's the actual link to Andy Tielman's 12-string: https://www.zeroto180.org/andy-tielmans-10-string-guitar/ 12-strings work fine. A lot of the proto-middle-eastern music upon which a lot of surf is based uses double-course setups. I tend to like the short-scale 12-string mando-guitars - I use my TEO version of that for tremolo-picked stuff quite a bit. The Godfather Theme comes to mind immediately, but lots of tunes work well: Interval-wise, it's generally tuned like a guitar, but tuned an octave up. Or listen to some Oud or Saz players. David Lindley had them in his arsenal for decades. OK, he wasn't technically a surf guitarist, but I'd say he was even more into that sound than many of us. Last time he was in the vicinity for a show, I had a good chance to talk to him about all of this - he was extremely knowledgeable. It ain't all about Jazzmasters, Jags, 6G15's, and Blonde Showmans. — The Delverados - surf, punk, trash, twang - Facebook Chicken Tractor Deluxe - hardcore Americana - Facebook and Website The Telegrassers - semi-electric bluegrass/Americana - Facebook Top

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silly idea and question