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I am going to attempt my first 12 string--I really want and haven't been able to find anythign I like. I played a Takamine 381 and the action was playing an electric--I absolutely loved it, however, the sound was VERY jangly. I think more of a tradional build style with those baord and neck specs would be perfect. I have not been able to find any info on Takamine specs, nut width, radius etc. If anyone has Takamine specs, please let me know.
Is there anything I should know about a 12 string build? I don't have any plans ans was going to build from my basic Martin D-28 plans. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You can most definately build from 6 string plans. That's how I build mine. You'll just need to settle on a neck width. I do mine quite narrow 1-13/16 - 2-1/4. That's what a lot of finger pickers use for 6 strings. But it makes a very easy playing 12 string.
Any specific questions, feel free to ask away.

I have a Takamine 12 string model 335. It looks to be 1 13/16".

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Paul...Do you any extra reinforcing to accommodate the higher string force? If so, where?

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

JJ, I just beef up the braces a tad. 3/16 instead of 1/4 and about 1/8 taller (that's a starting point before tuning). But I don't add any braces or anything like that.

Paul? Sounds like your beef is getting thin.
Did you mean 5/16 instead of 3/16?
That's what I did. Made the plate a tad larger, didn't scallop the X, and added a third finger brace each side as well as a third tone bar. It worked quite well, making a very loud guitar.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Sounds like significant beefing in both cases. I'm interested as well so I'm sure I'll have more questions once I decide to pull the trigger.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com