Page 1 of 2

Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:34 pm
by kiramdear
HI, folks,

Can anyone recommend for me the sizes of strings needed to outfit a 325/12? I'm used to a .012 set on my six-string shorties, so what would give me good tension and sound on a 12-string 325? And I'm talking about flatwounds, naturally.

Thanks in advance. :)

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:40 pm
by antipodean
My gut feeling would be to stick with .012s. In any event .011s would be as low as you could go without getting floppy string syndrome.

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:24 am
by kiramdear
I'd like to stick with .012 but I can't find a set for 12 string. Thought I'd have to piece it together, hence this topic. :)

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:06 am
by jdogric12
Try Jason Mendelson at guitarstringsonline.com. (Another person with the same name as me, yes it's true) He can make you custom sets whatever you want and he's great to deal with. Tell him the DC JM sent you!

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:23 am
by krick
I put together a set of T-I flats that are working very well on my 310/12.

12/12 16/16 20w/12 28w/14 39w/23w 50w/33w

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:48 am
by Folkie
Have you considered Just Strings?

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:35 pm
by deaconblues
You could definitely get away with .11s if those are easier to find.

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:17 pm
by kiramdear
krick wrote:I put together a set of T-I flats that are working very well on my 310/12.

12/12 16/16 20w/12 28w/14 39w/23w 50w/33w
Thanks, Kevin; this is what I was looking for.

And thanks, guys! :)

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 3:58 pm
by deaconblues
Hey Kira, once you get your strings, think you could post a sound file/video of that 325/12? I've never actually heard one amplified before.

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:05 pm
by kiramdear
Dan, I'll see what I can do. :)

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:57 pm
by deaconblues
kiramdear wrote:Dan, I'll see what I can do. :)
8) Would love to hear it if you've got time!

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:00 pm
by kiramdear
It's a good excuse to get my recording rig back up and operational. All I've got for software is Garage Band, I think. Then to acclimate myself to the new baby - it's quite a whole nuther animal from a full scale twelver. It's basically a C58/12. Thick alder body, unvarnished fret board, with low-gain toasters. Nothing like the Lennon models for tone, I'm guessing (not having tried the JLs). Factory blue boy finish, 2 o'clock f-hole. It used to belong to Paul W. I'm still pinching myself. :shock:

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:02 am
by deaconblues
kiramdear wrote:It's a good excuse to get my recording rig back up and operational. All I've got for software is Garage Band, I think. Then to acclimate myself to the new baby - it's quite a whole nuther animal from a full scale twelver. It's basically a C58/12. Thick alder body, unvarnished fret board, with low-gain toasters. Nothing like the Lennon models for tone, I'm guessing (not having tried the JLs). Factory blue boy finish, 2 o'clock f-hole. It used to belong to Paul W. I'm still pinching myself. :shock:
Aha! I'm glad that one ended up with another forumite!

Having owned most of the 325 models, I have to say that the C series pretty much blow the V's out of the water as far as tone and "feel" (the JL being a 325v63, basically). Most strikingly, the extra hollowness adds a lot to the unplugged sound.

I had the good fortune to play a NOS 325/12 reissue a few years back, but never got to plug it in. I bet the chunky 325 sound plus 6 more strings is a hoot.

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 3:22 am
by kiramdear
Thanks, Dan! Yes, this is nothing like my V59. It has a very different sound unplugged, quite a nice acoustic presence.

Here's the hitch: Having virtually never been played, the BB12 needs a good setup. The nut is too high and the truss rod needs a tightening. I'd also like to get some flatwounds on here before I record it. So stand by, as they say. :)

Re: Correct string gauges for 325/12

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:58 am
by jdogric12