NGD: Fender 12 string Strat content

fretfinder

It’s a Strat Jim, but not as we know it...

So I just got this 1987 MIJ Fender Strat 12 string from those lovely people at Coda and I’m well impressed so far. I remember when these first came out (the same year I got married!) and I always fancied one. I’ve had an acoustic 12 string for years but it’s got a huge wide neck, a high action and is uncomfortable to play. This one has a normal-sized electric guitar neck, closer string spacing and quite a low action and seems very easy to play for a 12 string. It’s also in astonishingly good condition for a 31 year old and at 8lb 1oz it’s not too heavy considering the extra hardware! 

It sounds good plugged in and songs like Wish You Were Here, Free Falling and Starman instantly sound more authentic. Time for a band rehearsal methinks and maybe add some new tunes like Listen To Her Heart and Learning To Fly. Any other suggestions for good 12 string rock numbers? Apart from the obvious Stairway... Tambourine... and Hotel... which I don’t think we’ll be doing.

https://i.imgur.com/xuJIlza.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UA7UoJ9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/q6bm5LG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2BRcygo.jpg

grayn

Congrats, that looks really nice and is in great nick.

I think Roy Wood used one of these, in The Move.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds used 12-string to good effect, too.

grayn

How does it balance, with a strap?

robinbowes

I have one of those - it needs a good setup, and possibly some new machine heads, but it sounds great!

nonesuch

Very nice indeed. Has anyone seen the new version that's recently been released? Made in Japan special run.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/fender-special-run-mij-trad-strat-xii-olympic-white-5561260305?LGWCODE=5561260305;56375;6335&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhoSMk7jj3wIV6J3tCh21zwISEAQYAyABEgJc8vD_BwE

The new one has more of a standard bridge compared to the 1980s one that had an old style Electric XII bridge.

(Roy Wood had a 1960s Electric XII as opposed to the Stratocaster version.)

Kebabkid

Nice one

I saw this at Coda and was interested.

'Handle with care' by the Travelling Wilburys would also be a good one. I saw Jeff Lynne do this with his ELO band recently (which if you didn't know is actually the Take That backing band) and it sounded so good.

guitars4you

nonesuch said:

Very nice indeed. Has anyone seen the new version that's recently been released? Made in Japan special run.


(Roy Wood had a 1960s Electric XII as opposed to the Stratocaster version.)

and allegedly the first guitar played on Radio 1 - Flowers In The Rain

grayn

nonesuch said:

(Roy Wood had a 1960s Electric XII as opposed to the Stratocaster version.)

grayn

Mmmmm......................yummy!

dogload

fretfinder said:

It’s a Strat Jim, but not as we know it...

So I just got this 1987 MIJ Fender Strat 12 string from those lovely people at Coda and I’m well impressed so far. I remember when these first came out (the same year I got married!) and I always fancied one. I’ve had an acoustic 12 string for years but it’s got a huge wide neck, a high action and is uncomfortable to play. This one has a normal-sized electric guitar neck, closer string spacing and quite a low action and seems very easy to play for a 12 string. It’s also in astonishingly good condition for a 31 year old and at 8lb 1oz it’s not too heavy considering the extra hardware! 

It sounds good plugged in and songs like Wish You Were Here, Free Falling and Starman instantly sound more authentic. Time for a band rehearsal methinks and maybe add some new tunes like Listen To Her Heart and Learning To Fly. Any other suggestions for good 12 string rock numbers? Apart from the obvious Stairway... Tambourine... and Hotel... which I don’t think we’ll be doing.

https://i.imgur.com/xuJIlza.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UA7UoJ9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/q6bm5LG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2BRcygo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/td4YHI4.jpg

Nice one!

It scores over the later ones and re-issues in having the 'proper' tailpiece, as designed for the Fender Electric XII. I don't think there is a better 12-string bridge/ tailpiece.

DannyP

"If I Needed Someone" Is a good electric 12 song

"The Look" by Roxette is also an electric 12 song X)

fretfinder

grayn said:

How does it balance, with a strap?

I’ve just ‘tried it on’ and it balances really well on a strap. 

JezWynd

grayn said:

Mmmmm......................yummy!

I don't know why Fender haven't reissued this one. A Squier version would sell by the shed load I'm sure. Used prices are insane considering what it is.

ICBM

k.d. Lang - Constant Craving
The Mission - Stay With Me (actually quite a lot of Mission songs)
U2 - Mysterious Ways

fretfinder

ICBM said:

k.d. Lang - Constant Craving
The Mission - Stay With Me (actually quite a lot of Mission songs)
U2 - Mysterious Ways

Ah, I should have said, they have to be songs that I like!

And preferably from the 60s or 70s to fit in with our old timer setlist! 

AuldReekie

The Las - There She Goes

Nitefly

Tom Petty did a practically-note-for-note cover of The Byrds' "Feel A Whole Lot Better" on one of his albums - it's a great song, short and sweet with an easy but effective solo and ending that really showcase the 12-string sound.

*edit* forgot to say - good score, too - lovely guitar!

sticker

That’s my one that I part ex’d 3 weeks ago for my J45 . 
Cracking guitar but I’m just not playing electric guitar much . 
Hope you have many happy hours with it ! 

Cookiemonster

Nice. I bought a cheap 12 string electric from thomann.abd YouTube some 12 string songs

8 miles high. Is fun to try

SimpleSimon

Nice score almost went for that myself!

guitars4you

fretfinder said:

ICBM said:

k.d. Lang - Constant Craving
The Mission - Stay With Me (actually quite a lot of Mission songs)
U2 - Mysterious Ways

Ah, I should have said, they have to be songs that I like!

And preferably from the 60s or 70s to fit in with our old timer setlist! 

grumpy old git !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about Needles and Pins