Members pathofspirit Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 I'm now the owner of an Epiphone Pr 715-12-N. I didn't have any intention of buying a 12 today but this guitar spoke to me. I don't know anything about this model in particular but it sounds great and has nice action for a 12. It's definitely used but in nice condition. It came with a Martin 12 string case - total cost $250. I feel pretty good about it. Does anybody know anything about this model? I saw one review on the user reviews section. This one was made in Japan.
Members spruce goose Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 http://www.bostonguitar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BGWI&Product_Code=ZAG-EPI-PR-715-12-N&Category_Code=SOLD-AG-EPI Are you in Brockton / Boston / thereabouts?
Members pathofspirit Posted October 17, 2007 Author Members Posted October 17, 2007 No - I'm in NH. I found this in Nashua.
Members DeepEnd Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 jconway has one of those. Herringbone dread IIRC. Last I heard he was thinking of selling it 'cause he was discouraged trying to tune a 12-string. You might want to shoot him a PM to see if he has any comments.
Members pathofspirit Posted October 17, 2007 Author Members Posted October 17, 2007 Thanks for the replies. It took a little while to tune this guitar but it plays great. I tweaked the neck just a tad since it needed a bit of tightening but outside of that it doesn't need any other setup. I definitely need to change the strings - these are so old they feel like they're corroding. I got a set of D'Addario's when I bought this. Are these fairly decent strings for a 12? (as you can tell, I'm a novice with these).
Members dhoenisch Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 I Typically go for the D'Addario 80/20 in Light guage for mine. They really sound nice to my ears. Really bright. Oh, and if it helps a tad, my 12-string is a Carlo Robelli something or other. Dan
Members bsman Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 I want a twelve string so bad it hurts, but I'm much too lazy to keep it tuned and in fresh strings. Maybe after I retire!
Members Freeman Keller Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 Thanks for the replies. It took a little while to tune this guitar but it plays great. I tweaked the neck just a tad since it needed a bit of tightening but outside of that it doesn't need any other setup. I definitely need to change the strings - these are so old they feel like they're corroding.I got a set of D'Addario's when I bought this. Are these fairly decent strings for a 12? (as you can tell, I'm a novice with these). D'Addario's are good strings, as are many other brands. Be aware that twelve string sets are not as standardized as sixes - for example both D'Addario and Elixer call their 0.010-0.047 sets "lights", but Martin calls these "extra lights". D'Addario's "extra lights" are 0.009-0.045, and Martin Marquis lights are 0.012 to 0.054 (mediums in most people's book). So be sure you are shopping guage, not just name. The reason it makes a difference is that at concert pitch, 0.009's exert about 225 pounds of tension on the top, 0.010 about 260, and 0.012 a whopping 330 to 360 (lights on a sixer is about 165, mediums about 190). Many of us who play 12 strings like to tune them down a step or two, both to reduce the top tension (and increase ease of play), but because it changes the sound considerably. If you want to tune to concert be very aware of the gauge that you are putting on it. Last comment about strings - I personally like coated string on my 12s - the longer life is an acceptable tradeoff for whatever difference there is in sound. Restringing a 12 is enough of a hassle and I only want to do it every few month, so for me Elixers are the way to go. They are considerably more expensive, but worth it to me. If you use a set with a very small G octave (like an 008 or 9) either buy some singles or consider upsizing it to a 10. Otherwise, enjoy your new 12. They are truely the Grand Pianos of the guitar world.
Members pathofspirit Posted October 17, 2007 Author Members Posted October 17, 2007 Last comment about strings - I personally like coated string on my 12s - the longer life is an acceptable tradeoff for whatever difference there is in sound. Restringing a 12 is enough of a hassle and I only want to do it every few month, so for me Elixers are the way to go. They are considerably more expensive, but worth it to me. I considered picking up a few sets of these from juststrings.com - they're only located a few miles from where I live and I could drop by and pick them up. I've never used Elixers and see they come in Polyweb and Nanoweb. Which do you use?
Members Freeman Keller Posted October 17, 2007 Members Posted October 17, 2007 I considered picking up a few sets of these from juststrings.com - they're only located a few miles from where I live and I could drop by and pick them up. I've never used Elixers and see they come in Polyweb and Nanoweb. Which do you use? Polys are the original Elixer. They have a fairly thick Gore polymer coating (the same thing that GoreTech fabric is made out of). They have the least squeak and very long life, but some people don't like the feel (claim they are slippery) and for some people the coating kind of frays as it gets older (the strings look fuzzy). Only the wound strings are coated. Nanowebs are newer, the coating is much thinner, have more string noise (but not as much as uncoated strings) and feel more normal. People still claim that the coating dulls the sound a little - to my old ears they sound pretty good. Nanos now come in both the original 80/20 composition (which is the only thing available for Polys, I think) and the newer Phosphor Bronze (PB) in six string sets only. I happen to like PB strings and that is what I use on my sixers, but for the 12's my only choice is 80/20. Because I tune down I sometimes run mediums (part no 11172) but most of the time it is lights (11152). That is what I have on both 12's right now. Taylor ships their 12 strings with Polys (I think) and our Terry Allan Hall uses them too, but I don't know what gauge. Frankly I don't think you could go wrong with either Polyweb or Nano's - I just like the more normal feel of the latter. http://www.elixirstrings.com/products/product_acoustic.html btw - the "anti rust" thing is some new plating on the unwound strings. I don't know anything about it.
Members pathofspirit Posted October 18, 2007 Author Members Posted October 18, 2007 I'll have to check them out. Thanks.
Members mielkea Posted October 18, 2007 Members Posted October 18, 2007 Yeah - Elixirs on guitars that are a pain to tune, or that you don't use that much are really handy. The light's are really nice for 12'ver. Congrats! AM
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted October 18, 2007 Members Posted October 18, 2007 +1 On the Elixir Nano's. My new Taylor 114 came already strung up with medium 80/20 bronze Elixir Nanowebs. I will never get anything else for it.
Members missedmyexit Posted October 18, 2007 Members Posted October 18, 2007 http://www.bostonguitar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BGWI&Product_Code=ZAG-EPI-PR-715-12-N&Category_Code=SOLD-AG-EPI Are you in Brockton / Boston / thereabouts? Oh my you just ruined any chance or productivity at work with that link. How come I've never heard of the place. Guild, froggy bottom, some other's I've never even hear of within 20 minutes of my house.. Anyone every play "Boulder Creek" guitars? Never heard of them myself but they look interesting
Members bsman Posted October 18, 2007 Members Posted October 18, 2007 With no soundhole on the top and just that port on the side, does all the sound coming out make your teeth chatter?
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