12 string Spruce/Aged Eucalyptus, now with sound

[Herman]

No 35. A 12 string M-sized Jumbo, with German bear claw spruce and Spanish "aged" Eucalyptus. The eucalyptus was treated with heat, high pressure and ammonia. The aim was to create an alternative for the scarce Rosewoods. It has the looks, a bit more brown, and the density of rosewood. The tap tone is good, but IMO a tiny bit less glassy than EIR. The result however is great. Now the guitar is opening up ( took a few weeks!) I am more than pleased. It is going to be a keeper. The bridge and details are made of bubinga.

Here are some sounds:
Picking
Strumming

For more pics look at my site:
https://www.hermanarendsenguitars.nl/35 ... yptus.html







The trouble with 12 string guitars from a store is the intonation. It takes some time and effort to get it right. That means costs and that is why factories cut on this.
Here I made a reversed string setup on a wide bone saddle. In the near future I will make a nut and saddle with a normal string position and see what the difference does

[John Parchem]

Very nice looking 12 string! I think the wood has a great look. It does look like it would be a pain to intonate all 12 strings. But even visually the intonated saddle shows a level of detail and care. What did you mean reversed string setup?

[Herman]

Thanks John,
Reversed stringing meaning the thicker strings are on the low side, instead of what normally is used.
Most 12 strings have the thinner string on the low E side.
Like this:

[John Parchem]

Good to know, I just checked my pictures and I did have the thinner string on the low E side. Other than strumming mine a bit I have not played any other 12 string. I can see the difference playing fingerstyle as the finger pulls toward the bass, of course pulgar is the opposite. I am not sure which way would be better for playing, but given that the "normal" way is counter intuitive there must be some reason.

[Herman]

Ya, you may be right.
The only 12 string I had was a Japanese Lowden in the 80's.
In time it did not appeal to me, now I think the intonation wasn't spot on.
I think a crucial sign for a bad 12 string is: you keep tuning to get it right.
But anyway. Soon I make a normal stringing and we see what it does.
Herman

[Herman]

For those who like to hear: above are 2 links for some sounds

[Kevin in California]

Wow Herman, what a looker. Wonderful guitar. That certainly looks like rosewood. I have a 2" thick slab of red eucalyptus that I had planned on cutting for guitars but I am seeing some tiny cracks so it may not pan out
That would be an interesting way to use it