Playing My 12-String As A Rhythm Guitar

[Tommy]

I have had my 360/12 for close to twenty years now and I always played it as a lead instrument, or when chords are played I picked them for sparkling arpegios.

Sad thing for me is I am more of a John guy than a George guy. I love Lennon's rhythm sound of a Ric through a VOX, but the price of a 325 jumped insanely high so that combo of Ric/VOX rhythm is out of the question for me for a while now. So last night I just tried something I never did before -- I played my 360/12 as pure rhythm, banging out the chords to "All My Loving," "She's A Woman" and THE SOUND WAS IT!

I couldn't believe it. All these years and I never knew a 360/12 could sound like a six string if you chop the chords when you play them. Sure it probably sounds fuller than a six string, but, damn, I was playing the 12 through a VOX and I was getting John's rhythm sound.

I still want a 325, but for the time being now I think I just found a way to save myself $3,000. I will be using my 12 as a rhythm instrument. Unreal sound.

[YukonCor55]

I've always been primarily a rhythm player and a 12 string guitar (first my Ovation and now my Ric) has always been my preference.

[Tommy]

Yeah, I can see an acoustic 12 string as rhythm ("You've Got To Hide Your Love Away"), but I can't really recall seeing many players using 12 string electrics as a rhythm instrument.

[doesitmatter]

Tom Petty always plays his Ric 12 as rhythm. Listen to "Saving Grace". Those are comped power chords on a Ric 12.

I'm still saving for a Ric but I have a Martin 12. It's very hard to play lead lines on it but strum chords and it's full, rich and powerful.

[lennon211]

Using one of my Ric 12's has always been one of my favorite rhythm sounds.

[JakeK]

You can always switch between 12-string and lead. Nothing wrong with it

[doctorwho]

I'm mainly a rhythm player, and I use my 12-strings often.

[jimk]

I have had my 360/12 for close to twenty years now and I always played it as a lead instrument, or when chords are played I picked them for sparkling arpegios.

Sad thing for me is I am more of a John guy than a George guy. I love Lennon's rhythm sound of a Ric through a VOX, but the price of a 325 jumped insanely high so that combo of Ric/VOX rhythm is out of the question for me for a while now. So last night I just tried something I never did before -- I played my 360/12 as pure rhythm, banging out the chords to "All My Loving," "She's A Woman" and THE SOUND WAS IT!

I couldn't believe it. All these years and I never knew a 360/12 could sound like a six string if you chop the chords when you play them. Sure it probably sounds fuller than a six string, but, damn, I was playing the 12 through a VOX and I was getting John's rhythm sound.

I still want a 325, but for the time being now I think I just found a way to save myself $3,000. I will be using my 12 as a rhythm instrument. Unreal sound.

Maybe it's because I'm a relative newcomer, and therefore don't have the baggage other, more long term players have but there's no surprise here for me. I always thought a 12 string was a more versatile guitar than its reputation limited it to.
JimK

[doctorwho]

... I always thought a 12 string was a more versatile guitar than its reputation limited it to.
JimK

+1

[opticnerve]

Well, early on, I don't think Townshend ever really picked single strings much on his 12 string Rics. He mostly banged out power chords...I Can't Explain, Pictures Of Lilly, Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere etc.

[collin]

Well, early on, I don't think Townshend ever really picked single strings much on his 12 string Rics. He mostly banged out power chords...I Can't Explain, Pictures Of Lilly, Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere etc.

Yep, which is the exact reason I can't stand to listen to modern versions of I.C.E, with Pete playing an over-amplified strat etc, or even the Live at Leeds version. They just don't have the round "bell" crunch that the 12 string did on the original records. Same goes for AAA and POL too...

[Tommy]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

I know you are all shaking your head saying, "What did this guy do with the guitar for all those years," but yeah, I always saw the 12 string Ric as a two trick pony -- you come up with a chiming lick or you pick the chords to get that great ringing, sparkling Johnny Marr chord work. Never did I use it to play full chords because I always felt you were not utilizing the very nature (those chiming single notes) of the guitar.

I'm glad I banged out "All My Loving" and saw the beauty of banging chords out on this 12 string guitar. It only took me twenty years, but I least I got it in.

[JakeK]

Yep, which is the exact reason I can't stand to listen to modern versions of I.C.E, with Pete playing an over-amplified strat etc, or even the Live at Leeds version. They just don't have the round "bell" crunch that the 12 string did on the original records. Same goes for AAA and POL too...

+1

Not to mention, "Can't Explain" slowed down greatly since 1968. Instead of barre chords, Pete hammers out open chords, too.

Pete is one of the few guitarists who doesn't show off his collection, but has only three guitars onstage. One main guitar in concert pitch, and two with capos (one for "Baba O'Riley" and one for "5:15"). When something happens to the main guitar, the capo comes off one of the capo'd guitars and immediately is the back-up.

If anyone noticed during last year's VH1 "Rock Honors" show, Pete used a gold Clapton Strat for "Baba O'Riley", then switched to a red one for "Who Are You", only to switch back to the gold for "Behind Blue Eyes" and "My Generation". The way I see it, Pete more than likely broke a string at the end of "Who Are You" and needed his backup.

But, yes, if he were to start the show with "I Can't Explain" and "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" with a Ric 12-string (ANY 12-string model/color, I wouldn't care), it would be nice, maybe even speed "I Can't Explain" back up to it's original speed and barre chord progression.

[doesitmatter]

Pete is one of the few guitarists who doesn't show off his collection.

Probably because he's smashed them.

Don't forget since the hearing loss there are a lot of electrics he can't play. In 1989 he only played an acoustic live. His strats have been modded with an acoustic pickup so the lower frequencies will be easier on his ears. I doubt he'll be banging any chimey 12 string chords these days.

[whojamfan]

12s also sound very full and rich when used for Ska or Reggae.