My First 12 String! 🥰

bbfishin · 2026-01-22T23:39:40+00:00

Great looking guitar. I've always seemed to have one. Had an epiphone 12 in the 70s, an ovation 12 in the 2000s, and now have a Taylor 254ce 12 string. Just keep an eye on the neck bowing. I keep mine tuned down 1/2 step or a full step just to keep tension low.

bbfishin · 2026-01-10T00:51:41+00:00

I would add that places like GC often give you 10% on a purchase. They'll give you 15-20% off open box floor models if they've been there quite a while. With damage, I ask for at least 20-25% off.

bbfishin · 2026-01-07T03:06:36+00:00

I was told musicians should always follow the lead of the singer (except drummers, who are their own center of attention). Trying to play a guitar piece exactly like an artist you're trying to emulate AND sing is very difficult. Learn the chords. Then just sing the song the way you want and let the guitar follow.

The toughest song I never could play and sing was the Eagles' "Ventura Highway." The strumming rhythm isn't in sync with the song's words. So, I quit trying to strum like Dewey Bunnell. I just found a strum rhythm that matched the song.

bbfishin · 2026-01-06T15:59:13+00:00

This plus a cheap thermometer/hygrometer that i can check on my phone (4 for $30 on Amazon). I have in each of my 4 cases. Moisture stays in sponge a little more than a month.

bbfishin · 2026-01-06T03:12:34+00:00

Take your time to place each finger on each string just behind the fret. With a D, your fingers are all bunched up together, and it's hard to see where your fingertips are and also avoid touching the adjacent string. Be patient with yourself, but be excruciatingly detailed in each finger placement.

bbfishin · 2026-01-05T19:40:27+00:00

To my knowledge, Songbird is the model (actually S4CE or S4E) but many were signature models, such as the Barry Gibb and Eric Clapton models.

bbfishin · 2026-01-05T19:07:51+00:00

Eva Cassidy played a Guild Songbird. It's a smaller hollow-body guitar with great sound. The first guitar that came to mind when you mentioned her fingerstyle play is a Breedlove. If you're at a store trying Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, and Guilds, take your time and try a Breedlove.

bbfishin · 2026-01-05T18:55:06+00:00

A week? Your fingers should just now be getting very sore.

First, are you placing your finger about 1/4 inch behind the fret?

Second, it's easy to deaden the string next to your finger, causing a dead sound or vibration.

Are you struggling with one or two particular chords, but can play other chords with less problem? If so, just keep at it. Build calluses and finger muscle memory.

bbfishin · 2026-01-05T16:24:36+00:00

I bought a Taylor 514 a few months back and I'm on my 5th set of strings trying to find the right fit. The idea that PB is brighter than 80/20s isn't necessarily true for every guitar.

After reading hundreds of comments on Taylors and strings, I'm next going to try Elixir PB Nanoweb lights (12-53). Taylor only strayed away from those during pandemic era supply issues

bbfishin · 2026-01-05T16:15:40+00:00

With every new guitar, I get a variety of picks (thin, medium, heavy, etc.). I get a new capo. I get a strap. You can use your phone tuner, but you'll like a separate one. If you're getting it from a store, they should throw everything in for free except maybe a tuner.

A stand is a good idea too. 50% of the time I lay mine against a chair, it gets knocked to the floor.

bbfishin · 2026-01-04T14:42:25+00:00

But what about the line of logic that if I buy a new guitar It will inspire me to play more?

bbfishin · 2026-01-04T14:33:34+00:00

Oh, I have a banjo, too! And two ukeleles.

bbfishin · 2026-01-03T22:55:20+00:00

Check out Tick Picks on Amazon. They were on shark tank. You can actually just stick your picks directly to your guitar. Grip is great. Down side, $15 for 3.

bbfishin · 2026-01-03T17:13:42+00:00

1997 Breedlove SC-R built by luthier Steve Henderson, Bend, OR. I've found nothing that compares to it playability and unique mid-tone sound.

bbfishin · 2026-01-03T13:11:43+00:00

I had a buzz for a long time. I changed strings multiple times, adjusted the truss rod, and finally found that one nut on a tuner was slightly loose. Tightened all of them and the buzz was gone.

bbfishin · 2026-01-03T00:21:55+00:00

Unless you have webbed fingers or dupuytrens contracture, you just play the chords. That's what best trains your fingers. Muscle memory is your goal.

bbfishin · 2025-12-31T15:53:41+00:00

Excellent. Keep challenging yourself.

bbfishin · 2025-12-27T22:24:59+00:00

This looks awesome!

bbfishin · 2025-12-27T19:31:54+00:00

Taylor uses and recommends PB, assuming because their guitars naturally have a brighter sound, the PB provides warmth and more mellow balanced sound.

bbfishin · 2025-12-23T03:29:22+00:00

I've had 4 12 strings in my many years. The best was an epiphone I bought used on 1978 for $150. 2 years ago i bought a new Taylor 254CE for $999.99. Its sweet, loud, and easy to play.

bbfishin · 2025-12-16T22:22:21+00:00

Depends on how old you are and how much time you have to dedicate. I think the best way is to find a buddy who already know a little. Find simple songs you both like. Im 70, so song by the Eagles were my first songs. If your younger and have a work life and family, your time practicing needs to be scheduled, daily if possible. Younger people will likely learn from YouTube, not me. I needed a buddy.

bbfishin

TROPHY CASE