12 string build

[dmraco]

Here is a 12 string build I am doing.  I have a 12 string neck from W on order.  I needed it to have a tele style pocket.

This was drilled for a string thru.  I am replacing it with a tom stop. system.

 

[swarfrat]

Solid finish? Are you going to plug the thru holes?  Having just done a setup job on my Gotoh and heard how beautiful it sounds... I don't think I could give up 12 saddles ever. Even if I were a TOM fan, it would be hard to stomach. Also - you know that a recessed TOM doesn't have the required neck angle, right? You'll need to shim that neck for the proper angle.

 

[dmraco]

Solid finish? Are you going to plug the thru holes?  Having just done a setup job on my Gotoh and heard how beautiful it sounds... I don't think I could give up 12 saddles ever. Even if I were a TOM fan, it would be hard to stomach. Also - you know that a recessed TOM doesn't have the required neck angle, right? You'll need to shim that neck for the proper angle.

I did fill the holes.  They just need some sanding and yes it will be solid finish.

What bridge did you use??

I have used a recessed tom before and I did not need to shim.  This is not an angled pocket.  The string were perfect flat.  It is was NOT recessed I would need the angle/shim...correct?

 

[swarfrat]

I don't have a TOM. My Yamaha came factory with the Gotoh flatmount bridge.

The recessed TOM does NOT require a neck angle. Using it with a stop tailpiece DOES require a neck angle.  Since you're plugging and finishing solid, you could use a flatmount bridge (and get individual saddles - yay!). But in order to use a Stop tailpiece you'll need an angled neck shim I believe.

Edit to say - it's not the stop tailpiece that drives the angle, it's the non-recessed TOM that goes along with a stop tailpiece.  If you used a wraparound bridge you'd still need the angle.

 

[Fat Pete]

The issue is that to get a usable break angle over the saddles when using a TOM/stop combination, you'll need to raise the bridge and so won't get a decent action unless you shim the neck (or angle the pocket).

 

[PeteNelson]

I've read the same about Floyd Rose bridges - if you mount them flat, the action is too high, unless the neck is angled, either by angling the neck pocket or shimming the neck. Having just routed and installed a Floyd Rose on my guitar, I can confirm that the action is definitely too high with the bridge mounted flat on the body (for my guitar anyway), so I will have to go back and recess the bridge.

 

[dmraco]

Looking at the amount the bridge is recessed, I can also recess the stop piece studs the same amount.  This will allow the tail piece to rest just off the body.  I did some measurements with my les Paul's and and it will give enough break over the bridge.

 

[Fat Pete]

That would be the other option - and a good one. Should look cool too!

 

[dmraco]

That would be the other option - and a good one. Should look cool too!

considering a trapeze style too..... :icon_scratch:

 

[DangerousR6]

That would be the other option - and a good one. Should look cool too!

considering a trapeze style too..... :icon_scratch:

:headbang: I second that motion...I love trapeze tail pieces

 

[swarfrat]

Duesenberg makes a 12 saddle TOM, Allparts sells one (it's pricey but I don't see much alternative. I can't do another 6 saddle 12 string unless it's an acoustic.

 

[ihavenothingprofoundtosay]

There's this 12 string TOM set also, far cheaper than the Dusenberg.

 

[dmraco]

There's this 12 string TOM set also, far cheaper than the Dusenberg.

that is what I have.  If I cannot get to work I will add the trapeze.....

 

[swarfrat]

Thats a six saddle bridge with two notches per saddle. I'm someone makes a 12 saddle TOM for a halfway reasonable price. It's worth it.

 

[dmraco]

Thats a six saddle bridge with two notches per saddle. I'm someone makes a 12 saddle TOM for a halfway reasonable price. It's worth it.

What are the advantages, aside from intonation??

 

[swarfrat]

Just intonation. But on a 12 it's not just a matter of the 6th string going a few cents flat on the 115th fret. You have strings of radically different makeup sounding together. It really makes those octaves chime properly.

 

[dmraco]

Well I counterbored tailpiece studs.  This allowed me to get the tailpiece VERY close to the body.  Even with the bridge at its lowest point there is still a decent break.  It is nearly invisible.  Just a bit of the bore sneaks out in the front of the bridge.

The bad news I snapped the ground wire when installing the studs.  :doh:

 

[dmraco]

I did snag this...thanks wolff05 for pointing this out.  i will be reshaping the headstock.  Not sure what i am going to do.

 

[Wolff05]

You don't like the smurf hat style?  :icon_biggrin:

Glad it got adopted into a good home  :toothy10:.

 

[swarfrat]