What top would you use for a 12 string?

Michael_K · Post by **Michael_K** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:20 pm

Hi guys,

Call me crazy but a bought a Martin X Series 12 string that the top had pulled completely off from the back from setting in a hot car for 75.00.

I got the neck off. The top was toast. So I am thinking of using only the sides, and replacing the back and top with Mahogany. 12 strings are normally so "chimey."

So for a little of nothing and another project, I can have a nice 12 string for cheap..... I thought the neck an fingerboard alone was worth 75.00. But I got the bridge, electronics and all of it.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

peter havriluk · Post by **peter havriluk** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:09 am

Maybe OP drops a dime on Martin and sees if there's a usable orphaned body available in the surplus shop (Guitarmaker's Connection). Sure would save a lot of work and he could even leave the decal on the headstock, with explanation.

ken cierp · Post by **ken cierp** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:06 am

Enjoy

John Link · Post by **John Link** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:03 pm

The simplest approach would be to ladder brace it, in the manner of the Oscar Schmidt Stellas. According to Neil Harpe, 12-strings were braced the same as 6-strings. You can see a Stella ladder braced top here:

http://www.stellaguitars.com/about/snap ... n-process/

Neil's comments about ladder bracing in general can be found here (#5):

http://www.stellaguitars.com/about/stel ... -factoids/

I also left a long response in Dave Bagwill's discussion about building a 12-string: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2417

Hope you find something helpful for your project, which sounds interesting.

Acoustic Guitar Construction

What top would you use for a 12 string?

What top would you use for a 12 string?

Re: What top would you use for a 12 string?

Re: What top would you use for a 12 string?

Re: What top would you use for a 12 string?