Mikeod

I think your problem might stem from your technique, try this it might help, hold down a few easy chords, make sure you are placing your fingers as close to the fret wire as possible, also make sure your forming a good arch so that your fingertips are actually holding down the the strings. Now, remove your thumb and press down gently on the fretboard. This is just the right amount of pressure you need to play any chord. Practise on a few chords, Then place your thumb back on the neck, remember your thumb is really only a guide, keep your hand relaxed, this removed the soreness, along with fret buzz and muted strings for me. Good luck.  

Hi Douglas.

Thanks again for your help.

I have visited the Irish companies sites, but I thought that you may have been aware of some others..

I have purchased from  Gear4Music before, found it good

Take care and sh

Hi .

If you make sure to get a high Arch with the second finger and the turn the the third finger at almost a 45% angle it would work, takes a lot of practice, but less strenuous in the end, hope this helps

Mike

Good morning Douglas from an old fogie to an old duffer (be 71 in July) and thanks for another very informative contribution to my 12-string saga. I must also congratulate you on an excellent and eclectic taste in music, similar to my own. I’m also a percussionist, Bodhran being my main instrument, and Irish Trad music being my first love. After that I love Brazilian MPB, Jazz, folk, rock along with a few others thrown in for good measure.

I took up the guitar last year, mainly because having written numerous songs in several styles, I found myself with no one to back me singing them and this became even more pronounced during the Coved lockdown. I have always liked the sound of 12 string guitars, especially when used ion Irish music and songs along with the use by groups such as America on their numerous albums

I have read a number of scary stories regarding the stress that 12 strings place upon the body and neck of guitars which are essentially designed for 6 strings. Then I came upon the Haustrum Silgan 12 string and upon further investigation, discovered that Hagstrom guitars are fitted with a,  H-Expander Truss Rod, which the company claim is way better than a round truss rod, and theirs will prevent any neck from bending, but also from twisting. Which in my amateurish opinion, seems a great additive to any 12 string.

The only shop dealing in the Hagstrom 12 in Ireland is situated in Dublin, and they don’t keep any of this model in store but would have to order one in from the supplier. Now here’s the deal, I would have to make a down payment of E300, half the price of the guitar. However, and here’s the catch, when I go and try out the guitar, supposing I actually don’t like it,  then I either forfeit my deposit or else cough up another E300, and purchase a guitar that I don’t particularly like. Hobsons Choice in my case, but the shop can’t lose either way, not that either party should be out of pocket. In my opinion, if any retailer is going to advertise any item on its website, then they should have at least one in store so people can at least see what they are buying, the onus here should be on the wholesaler and retailer. I would appreciate if you would send me the names of the mail order companies in Ireland that sell Hagstroms. In that respect, and something that I find slightly strange is the fact that the Hagstrom company themselves don’t seem to stock any of these guitars, and furthermore, it’s rathe difficult to find stockists, even in Sweden. This may tie in with one review which claims that Hagstrom sold on the brand name to a Chinese company who now manufacture and distribute the guitars, nothing strange in that, almost everything these days seems to be made in China these days, that is where my Eastman was made and I’m happy enough with that, touch wood.

As regards tuning down, well funnily enough, most of the trad guitarists do use DADGAD tuning, it really suits the trad and folk music especially when backing songs. But to tune down and then place a capo at the first fret in order to use standard tuning means that a capo always has to be on the first, and if I wanted to capo up, then a second capo would need to be placed at the appropriate fret. To be honest with you I’d prefer to avoid using capos altogether if I could manage it, if not, then one would be enough for me. (getting cocky now)

I have always been interested in drums especially the old Ludwig and Gretsch, Silvertone played by the old great jazz drummers, and later I’ll check out the Camco kits.

Just as a matter of interest, I am listening to a cd of Chris Wood, called Albion, an anthology, brilliant songs and tunes by Chris, Andy Cutting on Accordion along with Karen Tweed. Some years back, I was lucky enough to catch Chris live at a recital he gave at the WORLD Music Centre at ULH.

I would be very grateful for any further information regarding my quest that you may come across through the grapevine.

Thanks again bye for now and stay safe and well, and keep on rockin in the free world.

Mike

P.S, sorry for such a long winded reply

On 03/05/2020 at 16:44, Dad3353 said:

Good evening, Conmac, and ...

Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Most guitars from the leading makers in the 'starter' price range are decent guitars (I certainly wish that they had been available when I started out with a real cheese-grater of a guitar..!). The Fender you mention is fine.
There's quite a bit less to bother about with an acoustic for a beginner. First thing is learning how to tune it (and listen to when it needs tuning again...). A good tip for anyone starting out is to find a local tutor, if at all possible. It's so uch worth it to get good advice from the 'off', and makes progress that much more certain. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it really does help.
Good luck with the project to the pair of you. 

As a beginner myself, I'd agree wholeheartedly with Dad, learning good technique at the beginning will eliminate many problems, especially sore fingers and strain on the fingers and hand. I don't know if I'm allowed to name specific stores , but I  bought an Eastman Electro acoustic  from Richards Guitars in Stratford upon Avon, . It was set up to my requirements and shipped to Ireland. They also sell lovely entry level EastmaN PCH electro acoustic. I played one of those when I visited the store last November, lovely sound and feel to it.

Just an amateurs opinion, but it might be worth your while visiting the site, and talking with the guys there..

Hope this is helpful 

Yours sincerely.

Mike

Mike

IT looks nice and if it plays well, as the song goes 2 outa 3 , happy days

Mike

On 29/04/2020 at 17:15, GNewbie said:

Hello,

First time posting on a forum like this, hope everyone is keeping well in lockdown!  I find myself furloughed and looking to pick up a new skill - my dad was a very keen guitar player and for years tried to get me into it (I played piano and sang and generally find it quite easy to pick up musical things) but for some reason as a child I was just never that into it.  Anyway, before he died he bought be the most beautiful Baby Taylor, as I was a fair bit younger than I am now and so didn't need anything large.  I still also have one of his old Taylor acoustic guitars that he loved.

Anyway to cut a long story short, I need to restring them as they haven't been played in years, and I would like to start learning now that I have all this free time!  I have been a bit boggled by all the different options of what strings to get, so thought I would post on here for some help.  Obviously I don't need anything top of the range, but any advice would be appreciated.  

Thank you!

G

Hello, I am also a newbie. I use Ernie Ball Mediums 13-56, and I find that they have a tone that I Like very much, hope this helps.

Mike

Good morning Dad3353.

Thank you very much for your very enlightening contribution on my query regarding the Hagstrom Siljan 12. Unfortunately, there are no music stores in Ireland that actually keep any of these models in stock and therefore I cannot try out the guitar before purchasing. Therefore I depend on the specs which the company publish in relation to any model. I also avail of sound advice provided by people like yourself who have worked in the trade. I'm about 90% leaning towards the Hagstrom.

Just as a matter of interest, and if you don't mind me asking, what kind of music are you into, and what make of guitar do you play yourself.

Bye for now take care and thanks again

Mike 

On 12/06/2020 at 13:52, Dad3353 said:

Good afternoon, Mike , and ...

Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Sorry, no personal experience from having owned any Hagstrom guitars, but from my years in a music shop (in France...), I don't think I'll be much wrong in stating that all their guitars, at any price point, are excellent, and none have any issues regarding tone, intonation nor tuning stability. I'd go further, and say that I'd be very surprised indeed to hear of any make of guitar at the price point of that 12-string that had any issues of the sort.
Having said that, acoustic guitars maybe more than others are a very personal choice, and great tone for one person can be dull, or bright, to another. Much depends on how one plays, too (it's all in the fingers, right..?), so it's really down to trying out all sorts of instruments to get some idea of what 'clicks'.
If you're after a fine 12-string, that Hagstrom is as good as any other, and better than some, but only you can say if it fits the use you want to put it to. If you're really a 'newbie' player, you'll be rightly spoiling yourself by acquiring one, and any tuning issues will be down to you, not the instrument.
Hope this helps. 

Hi all new to this site and new to guitar playing. I would like to ask group if anyone has any experience with Hagstrom acoustic guitars.

Thanks

Hi, Mike here new member, newbie player.

I wonder if anybody would have any experience with Hagstrom acoustic guitars, especially the Siljan 12 string, or other models. Wondering about tone, intonation and tuning stability.

Thanks

Sincerely.

Mike