Dylan on Fraulini and Hauver?

[Lafayette]

Hadn't realized that I was here for two plus years that and the facts that I haven't anything to say or own a Larrivee.  Came back here and some other places seeking answers.

I get around in  an electric wheelchair due to my Muscular Dystrophy.  It is nigh impossible to play guitar in an electric wheelchair, so I play in a narrow hospital bed.

I have a Baby Taylor that is OK, but it just a little too small.  I also have a Martin D12X1 12-string which I like a like a lot, but it is too big.  I love 12-strings. 

I am in the process of buying a Morgan Monroe MMV-12CE.  I like the sound.  It is certainly not as bassy as my Martin, but it not bad for a small guitar.  The other plus is it doesn't sound like a mandolin and it can be tuned down without it being jangly. Beside this, it is made of solid mahogany (and I think it has a spruce top).  The only two qualms I may have about it are the action and it being two small, but I won't know until I get it and play it for a while.

All of this is causing me to look ahead.     In the process of this search of the future I ran across a gentleman named, Neil Harpe of Stellaguitars.com,  He suggested I look for a Stella 912 twelve string which features a ladder bracing.  The only type of music I have heard on these 12-strings is ragtime.  I like ragtime, but I am not into it.  I want to play Cash and Dylan and maybe some blues which is why I am asking other People's opinions before I think of buying.  I am on a very limited income and can't and won't throw around big bucks on a whim.

Two comments before I go.  I believe I saw Bob Dylan in a video with the Wandering Willobees playing a 12-string and also on the liner notes of "The Reverend Mr. Black" he was credited with playing a 12-string.

I appreciate everyone's comments pro and con and will like to hear more. 

Lafayette

[dermot]

Lafayette;

Maybe chk this one out, and keep your eyes open for another older Stella / Harmony 12;
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-VINTAGE-NOS-HARMONY-12-STRING-ACOUSTIC-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ130366269841QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item1e5a6f6991

This should be a fair bit smaller than your D12x, closer to the size of the Taylor, and less costly than the Fraulini / Haver re-pro's,

i would try to find Gibson B25-12 from 62 -> 64 with the belly back bridge as the ultimate smaller 12 with the 60's  sound... i have both a B25-12 and a B45-12 from the early 60's in my hands, and loved them both, but i ended up playing the bigger B45-12 more.. it was the model used by both Gordon Lightfoot & Leo Kottke.

By later in the 60's there were substantial changes to bracing, and these are not the same instruments as the earlier one's, so i would more likely go looking for a older Stella than a Gibbie 12 from 65 on (untill recent times)

I admire the strength & positive attitude that underscores your post

i wish you well making music !

d.

[ducktrapper]

Hi Lafayette. I hope you didn't take my comment as a con. I saw that your first post was being overlooked and was just trying to get the conversation going. As for Dylan playing 12 string, there's a famous pic of him with a Fender bass, too. I just meant to say he's not exactly known for playing 12 string.

Cheers
tom
   

[Lafayette]

Thanks Tom, no offense taken and I appreciate you trying to hustle some attention for my 12-string quest.  I have been to other guitar forums and have receive zero replies.  The most baffling one to me was the Gibson forum.  I made an inquiry concerning the Gibson B-25 versus the B-45 and turned up zero

And you are right Bob Dylan is not known for being a twelve stringer.

It has been a long time contention of mine that Johnny Cash with that load and resonant voice of his should have had a 12-string.  Listen to "Big River" and ask yourself wouldn't a 12-string sounded more dynamic than the six string you hear?   

Dermot, thanks for the Stella Harmony lead.  I was warn to stay away from e-bay for reasons that right now is unclear to me.  Although, that guitar doesn't look too bad right now.  If I had $200.00 plus I be sorely tested. 

Both the Gibson B25 and/or the Stella Harmony 912  sound iffy.  What I think I will try to do is if can get the Gibson B25 and/or the Stella Harmony 912 is test them out myself and have a luthier/repairman look at them to see if they are worth fixing.

Lafayette