Waterstone tp-12/32

[weemac]

Any one out there got one?
I have a cheaper 12 string and it sets up well but the neck is soooooo wide and kinda flat (no roundness) that my hand cramps after about 3.5 seconds of playing it.
I'm interested in the TP-12/32 as it has the same pickup positioning as a Rick and the selector switch allows me to change between the two sounds I tend to use the most (neck or both) in a click.
I know the waterstones are heavy but do they sit on the strap well? (like a rick) and does the neck have enough meat on it? (not like a modern neck that is wide/thin and crampy)
Nothing hangs as comfortably as a Ricky and the neck is "just there" (the same as the sound)
The waterstone 12s seem to be the 12 that all others are now measured by. I just want to know if they are going to dislocate my left sholder (like my steinberger does) or if the load is spread evenly.
emac.

[4003]

Don't know if you are familiar with forum member Amy Humphrey from the band Clatter. She is an avid RIC bass fan and also has added the Waterstone 12 to her arsenal.

Here she is discussing the Waterstone 12...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0oZ8PQNC00

and the live version of "Limelight" on the 12-string...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24FFBDaoFgk

She could probably answer any question you may have.

[marc61]

Amy and Joe are great folk. I know she would happily answer any questions you had about the bass.

[weemac]

I didn't realise Amy was a forum member here!
I've seen her Clatter's you tube bits and to their album samples. Amy certianly has some zest to her playing.
I've just sent her a PM.

I still find it amazing how the internet has to a degree shrunken the world up, in a sense of being able to converse with people (even celebs and heroes) via a keyboard.
Also now being able to get good tech support for music stuff, and to buy direct from the supplier or manufacturer.
Getting information used to take months, now it takes only hours.

emac.

[clatter]

Thanks for sending emac to me! I feel terrible I haven't had a chance to stop by and say hi in so long! Geez, I don't know where the time goes. And the funny thing is, most of my time is spent on the computer, too, (instead of practicing! )so you'd think I'd have time to peruse a forum or two every once in a while!

Hope everyone is doing well! Please don't hesitate to send me a PM if I'm needed! And if anyone is in the UK or France, better look out, here we come!!

[sloop_john_b]

Welcome Amy! I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the Waterstone 12'er.

[clatter]

Oh, okay! Basically what I said was that I find both the full and short scale Waterstone 12ers comfortable to play. When I first heard of 12-string basses, I thought there was no way I'd be able to come close to making it work with my little hands. It seemed like a really cool idea and something that would add a nice dimension to our sound, but I figured it would be a loss on me. The first one I got was a full scale and I was shocked at how easy it was to play. Yes, it was heavy, and yes, it took some strengthening to get used to holding down all those strings at once, but it was surprising how easy it was to play and the incredible sound was good motivation to keep working at it! The one thing that took a bit of adjusting was the balance. The headstock is so darn heavy that I expend quite a bit of energy holding the neck up, which makes it a little tricker to move my left hand as freely as I might on my Rick. But again, a lot of that is a matter of strengthening those muscles and adapting my playing to compensate. As I told emac, though, there is quite a difference between the long scale and short scale both in terms of ease of playing and in tone. I like the short scale when I want a thinner, more guitar-like sound, and the full scale for that huge, rich, boomy sound. Just as an aside, I'm only taking the short scale to Europe and I'm finding it difficult to make the transition for those songs that I'm used to playing on the full scale! Creature of habit am I…

Let's face it, I'm 5' 3" and 110 pounds with little stubby fingers, so if I can hold it and play it, anyone can!

[sloop_john_b]

Cool, thanks for that! I'd love to have one of these.

I noticed you play it with your fingers rather than a pick - doesn't that have sort of a "cheese-grater" effect on your right hand fingertips?

[cheyenne]

I just checked out Waterstone's sight. I love the red one with the big arrow.

http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/bass_tp12_34.shtml

[weemac]

Yes the Cheesegrater effect does happen (8s and 12s certianly file your nails down) but the funny thing is the right hand tension starts to feel good after a time, and the left hand just kinda hurts

Amy, you have been a great help and thanks again!

emac.

[clatter]

Cool, thanks for that! I'd love to have one of these.

I noticed you play it with your fingers rather than a pick - doesn't that have sort of a "cheese-grater" effect on your right hand fingertips?

I've actually used artificial nails on my right hand since almost as long as I've played bass. After reading an article on Geddy eons ago about how he uses his nails, I was inspired to do the same but my natural nails weren't strong enough, especially for as hard as I play. So I went and talked to a manicurist and tried out a couple fake nails, and I've had 'em ever since. Later on, when I started doing more strumming, I added one to my thumb because I would rake the top of my thumbnail across the strings when strumming and it was wearing down the nail. Ow! I love the pick-like sound using the artificial nails, but truth be told, I hate long nails in general so they do annoy me in my day-to-day life (e.g. typing this post!!).

[atomic_punk]

I just use a pick on my 12 I can see if you are a fingerstyle player, that would bring up a whole new set of problems...
Like Amy said, the balance is the big issue for me. The Hamer headstock is like a divining rod....straight to the ground! But it is something you get used to over time. But the sound is WAY worth it!

[weemac]

"The Hamer headstock is like a divining rod" That is one funny but true statement! (also applicable to Gibson SGs)
I use both fingers and plektrums but mostly plecks (I save my nails for guitar)
I think I may go for a Waterstone once my extras are sold.
Anyone want a Galveston 12 or a very early Steinberger L2?
emac.