Turn Epiphone Casino into 12 string?

[Blacksheep]

I really want a 12 string, I have an Epiphone Casino (Korea) that I got cheap. I don't think I can sell it for much, and I don't how much I'll use it otherwise. I'd like to make it a 12 string.

 

The only real problem I forsee is the headstock. The way it is designed has made it a bit of a challenge to add 6 more pegs on it. I don't know what possible work I could to do fix that. But the 12 string Riviera's dont look to have much of a longer headstock. The bridge, tailpiece and nut should be easy to replace.

 

I'm looking for a project, does this sound possible? Give me any input you like. Thanks

[Mr_GoodBomb]

I wouldn't mess it up. You can always enjoy a 6-string. I find 12-strings to be very tiresome after a while. It would be somewhat like taking an existing instrument, ripping all the electronics out of it, and dropping a high-powered humbucker in the bridge. I think the things you can do with a 12-string are a bit limited.

 

I was going to build a similar project with a tele, but after getting a 10-string and trying my hand at that, and some building issues, I scrapped it. A good chorus pedal, or something like the POG, would do you well.

 

If you're interested in trying your hand at a 12, there are several cheap options, like the Dean Boca and the few Jay Turser models you can get for cheap. That'll let you try out the world of 12s without potentially botching up a nice Epiphone.

[SebastianCamden]

Hey,

 

I'm not an expert on this kind of thing but I don't think it's a good idea. For the cost and headache of doing it you could probably pick yourself up a half decent second hand 12 string. But the main thing stopping you should be the extra tension of six extra strings on the neck. Your guitar just won't be made for that kind of tension and you're likely to end up with a banana neck.

 

I think Danelectro do a cool, cheap retro 12 string

 

Hope that helps

[flummox]

Anything's possible, but this wouldn't be remotely worth the effort. There are some good cheap electric 12-strings at rondo's site. How much do you want for the Casino?

[WildWill]

The best way to turn that Casino into a 12 string is simply a 2 step process:

 

1) Sell the Casino. If you bought it cheap enough, sell it cheap and don't worry about it.

 

2) Buy an inexpensive 12-string that was built as a 12'er. Nut width, pickup spacing, bridge, tailpiece, etc...

 

Enjoy your new, as-built 12 string as opposed to a kludged-up 12'er that would forever haunt you.

 

Just my opinion and what I would do in your situation.

[NashSG]

I'd either sell the Casino or try to find 12 string to trade the Casino in upon.

 

You'll never be able to get twelve tuning heads on that Casino headstock and have it work without ruining the guitar.

[sdgails]

if you do it, it will be new holes on headstock, new nut, and new trapeze. not to hard imho.

[benricci]

If you are interested in selling the Casino, PM me.

[PanaDP]

I wouldn't. The headache you'd save by not swapping or altering the hardware and the nut alone would be worth it.

[BG76]

It's simple. Don't let the people here scare you off from making a cool guitar for yourself.

 

Do you have a router and a drill??

 

Just do a Ric 12 string style mod, change the nut and bridge.

 

 

[MahaloVision]

Or use a vertical peg like a Steinberger or a planetary peg.

 

You can easily pick up 12 string TOM bridges and tailpieces, but I'd check the spacing first. I just used one on the Full Metal Mando, and it's OK.

[Northstar]

Check this thread for examples of conversions of non-12 strings headstock to 12-strings:

 

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/b-bender-forum/99845-b-bender-12-string.html

 

I agree with BG76, it gets tiresome when people answer a question with a "why don't you do this instead?" stock answer. Not helpful in any way.

[linusâ„¢]

will that neck (designed for six) be up to the increased tension?

[benricci]

My understanding is that the neck itself differs very little on a six vs 12 string. It'll certainly need an adjustment of the truss rod, however.

[WildWill]

Check this thread for examples of conversions of non-12 strings headstock to 12-strings: http://www.tdpri.com/forum/b-bender-forum/99845-b-bender-12-string.html I agree with BG76, it gets tiresome when people answer a question with a "why don't you do this instead?" stock answer. Not helpful in any way .

 

He did ask "Does this sound possible? Give me any input you like." To me (and a couple of others) it didn't. Now that the actual builders here say it is not only possible, but fairly easy, I say "Go for it!".

 

Just start a thread with pictures.

[MahaloVision]

 

But the main thing stopping you should be the extra tension of six extra strings on the neck. Your guitar just won't be made for that kind of tension and you're likely to end up with a banana neck.

 

 

Not at all. I've built twelve strings with a single truss rod and V-shape profiles that have been tuned to standard for years without problems. You don't need to install twin truss rods in a twelve-string guitar, and in fact those can cause more problems with twisting than they solve.

[Darkstorm]

I doubt the neck would be able to tolerate the extra tension of 6 more strings. 12 string necks are built stronger then 6 string ones with very few exceptions. This from the extra width for string spaceing plus truss rod difference. As others have said is much better to sell or trade your guitar toward a properly made 12 string.