There are a lot of controversies as regards to the history of the Twelve-string guitar. The first theory says that it has been developed by Italian luthiers laboring in the guitar workshops in companies like Oscar Schmidt, Harmony and Regal in New York and Chicago. It is substantiated by the fact that one of the famous twelve-string guitars has a strong Italian connection. As per the other theory states that it arrived in the U.S from Mexico as Latin America has a long history of double-course variants of the standard six-string guitars.
Regardless of who invented the twelve-string guitar, it is considered as one of the novelty instrument invented. Other than the occasional custom ordered 12-string guitars, the more prestigious makers like Martin and Gibson consider making of these 12-string guitar to the low-end builders. This is clearly an indication that their buyers were from the poorer end of the social level.
The popularity of the twelve-string guitar can be traced out from the early recordings, where the blues musicians in Georgia and Mexican tejano musicians in Texas used them. It appears that the first musicians to take up the 12-srting guitars were street performers. The extra volume that the double strings added increased the popularity of these guitars. It is said that the volume is so intense that a busker could work without any other musicians and still assure full and rich sound.
The twelve-string guitar gained immense popularity when it was first exploited by one of the best early players, the Atlanta guitarist Blind Willie McTell. McTell was a well-known and accomplished guitarist of his time. Atlanta being the center for the Piedmont blues, a ragtime-based guitar style where complex finger picking and driving bass is needed to invest in its kind of music. And this is how the use of the 12-string guitar gained its momentum.
The 12-string guitar also became popular after the “Leadbelly”. Hudy William Ledbetter was an American folk and blues musician. He was known as the king of the twelve-string guitar, famous for his clear and forceful singing and his virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar. He is best known as Leadbelly or Lead Belly. The topic of Leadbelly covers a wide range of subjects, including gospel songs, blues songs about women, liquor and racism. It also includes songs about cowboys, prison, workers, sailors, and many more. This is how the 12-string guitar came into popularity in a big way.
After Leadbelly, even the use of the twelve-string guitar was reduced drastically. It was like musicians express the mourning by refraining from playing the instrument. A few guitarists like Dick Rosmini, Fred Gerlach, and Pete Seeger, kept the twelve-string tradition alive.
And soon the use of the banjo has outnumbered the use of the 12-string guitar, but in 1963 a record came out that knocked the banjo off its place. It was a record by Pete Seeger called “We shall overcome” and the musician used the power of 12-string and novelty to draw the attention of the people as he was selling songs of justice and freedom. The extra volume and full sound of the twelve-string guitar made it perfect for leading and they were the important part of the civil rights movement.
About the Author:
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: guitars, twelve-string guitars, drums, drum sets, and synthesizers, keyboards.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – History of the Twelve-String Guitar
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In Store Used VINTAGE MARTIN 70-71 D1220 12 STRING GUITAR Standard $1999.99 In Store Used VINTAGE MARTIN 70-71 D1220 12 STRING GUITAR Standard |
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In Store Used USED MARTIN D12X1 12 STRING USA Standard $429.99 In Store Used USED MARTIN D12X1 12 STRING USA Standard |
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In Store Used USED MARTIN D12X1 12 STRING ACOU Standard $429.99 In Store Used USED MARTIN D12X1 12 STRING ACOU Standard |
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In Store Used USED MARTIN J12-16GT GLOOS TOP 12 STRING ACOUS W/C Standard $849.99 In Store Used USED MARTIN J12-16GT GLOOS TOP 12 STRING ACOUS W/C Standard |
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Martin D12X1 12-String Solid Top Acoustic Guitar Natural $599.99 A guitar you can feel good about with the big 12 string sound you want. |
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Martin M2600 Marquis 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Ex-Light 12 String Guitar Strings Standard $8.05 Excellent sound and longevity with a silky feel. |
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Martin FX700 Custom Gauge Flexible Core 12 String Acoustic Guitar Strings Standard $8.05 Super-thin, flexible wire core design provides more sustain without dealing a blow to your tone. |
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In Store Used USED FENDER F55 12 STRING GUITAR Standard $249.99 In Store Used USED FENDER F55 12 STRING GUITAR Standard |
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Kyser Lifeguard 6 or 12 String Acoustic Guitar Humidifier Standard $14.99 Kyser Lifeguard 6 or 12 String Acoustic Guitar Humidifier Standard |
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Ovation Applause Series AE35 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar Natural $299.99 Ovation Applause Series AE35 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar Natural |
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In Store Used USED RICKENBACKER 360-12 12 STRING GUITAR FIREGLO Standard $1899.99 In Store Used USED RICKENBACKER 360-12 12 STRING GUITAR FIREGLO Standard |
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In Store Used USED ALVAREZ AD-60S/12N 12 STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR Standard $149.99 In Store Used USED ALVAREZ AD-60S/12N 12 STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR Standard |
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Martin OM21 Special Acoustic Guitar Vintage $2899 Standard Series, six-string orchestra acoustic guitar featuring a spruce top, and rosewood sides. Includes a Martin vinyl laminated hardshell guitar case. |
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In Store Vintage VINTAGE MARTIN D-35 12 STR 1969 ACOUSTIC GUITAR WC Standard $2499.99 VINTAGE MARTIN D-35 12 STR 1969 ACOUSTIC GUITAR WC |
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Martin Nylon String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar Standard $199.99 Built for portable durability . . . and great sound! |
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In Store Used USED MONTANA 12 STRING Standard $124.99 In Store Used USED MONTANA 12 STRING Standard |
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In Store Used USED MITHCHELL 12 STRING Standard $199.99 In Store Used USED MITHCHELL 12 STRING Standard |
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Fender CD100 12 String Acoustic Guitar Natural $229.99 A 12-string guitar with Fender quality that’s in about anybody’s budget range. |
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In Store Used USED TAYLOR 355 12 STRING GUITAR @852 070411 Standard $699.99 In Store Used USED TAYLOR 355 12 STRING GUITAR @852 070411 Standard |
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In Store Used USED DEAN 12 STRING RED JUMBO ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR Standard $300 In Store Used USED DEAN 12 STRING RED JUMBO ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR Standard |
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Rotosound Jumbo King Phosphor Bronze 12 string Acoustic Guitar Strings Standard $10.95 Rotosound Jumbo King Phosphor Bronze 12 string Acoustic Guitar Strings Standard |
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Great Nutshell Productions Setup Your 12 String Acoustic Guitar DVD Standard $19.95 Great Nutshell Productions Setup Your 12 String Acoustic Guitar DVD Standard |
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In Store Used USED SEAGULL S12+ 12 STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR @ 855 Standard $249.99 In Store Used USED SEAGULL S12+ 12 STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR @ 855 Standard |
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In Store Vintage VINTAGE GIBSON 1966 ES335 12 STRING CHY Standard $2799.99 VINTAGE GIBSON 1966 ES335 12 STRING CHY |
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Hal Leonard Steve Martin – The Crow (Songs For The 5 String Banjo) Standard $17.96 New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. Series: Homespun Tapes. Publisher: Homespun. Format: Softcover – TAB. Artist: Steve Martin. Arranger: Tony Trischka. ISBN: 159773277X. UPC: 884088415792. Publisher Code: ADSMACRO1. Width: 9.0″. Length: 12.0″. 42 pages. |
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Cordoba Fusion 12 Orchestra Pro Cedar Top Electric-Acoustic Guitar Natural $1043.13 A beautiful-sounding nylon string guitar. |
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Cordoba Fusion 12 Orchestra Pro Spruce Top Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural $1199 A beautiful-sounding nylon string guitar. |
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In Store Used USED MARTIN J1215 12 STR MAHOGANY Standard $699.99 In Store Used USED MARTIN J1215 12 STR MAHOGANY Standard |
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Martin Backpacker Steel String $309 Martin Backpacker Steel String For their size, Martin Backpacker guitars have a surprisingly rich and loud tone, due primarily to the combination of a lightly braced solid tonewood top with a solid mahogany neck, back and sides. Light as a feather, this is a guitar that you can take with you literally anywhere without getting weighed down, plus it takes up almost no room when slipped into its nylon carrying case (included) or strapped around your shoulders. Despite its lightweight character, the Martin Backpacker is ruggedly built to withstand the rigors of outdoor situations like camping, hiking and summer music festivals — the ideal travel companion! Features: MODEL Steel String Backpacker Guitar CONSTRUCTION: Unique To Backpacker BODY SIZE: Unique To Backpacker TOP: Solid Spruce ROSETTE: none TOP BRACING PATTERN: Unique To Backpacker TOP BRACES: Solid Spruce BACK MATERIAL: Solid Tonewoods BACK PURFLING: none SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Tonewood ENDPIECE: none ENDPIECE INLAY: none BINDING: none TOP INLAY STYLE: none SIDE INLAY: none BACK INLAY: NECK MATERIAL: Solid Hardwood NECK SHAPE: Unique Contour NUT MATERIAL: Corian® HEADSTOCK: Solid/Tapered/Small Gold Foil Logo HEADPLATE: none HEELCAP: none FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Select Hardwood SCALE LENGTH: 24″ OF FRETS CLEAR: 15 OF FRETS TOTAL: 15 FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16″ FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: none FINGERBOARD BINDING: none FINISH BACK & SIDES: Hand Rubbed Urethane FINISH TOP: Hand Rubbed Finish FINISH NECK: Hand Rubbed Finish BRIDGE MATERIAL: Select Hardwood BRIDGE STYLE: Unique To Backpacker Steel String BRIDGE STRING SPACING: SADDLE: Micarta® TUNING MACHINES: Chrome w/Small Knobs RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin M170 Extra-Light 80/20 Bronze BRIDGE & END PINS: White w/ Black Dots PICKGUARD: none CASE: Padded Gig Bag INTERIOR LABEL: Paper Label ELECTRONICS: Optional Martin Thinline 332 Backpacker OTHER OPTIONS: Available left-handed at no additional charge OTHER COMMENTS: All prices & specifications are subject to change without notice. Get Your Martin Backpacker Steel String Today! |
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Martin Backpacker Nylon String $309 Martin Backpacker Nylon String Martin’s Backpacker can accompany you anywhere in the world – or beyond. One neat little package gives the guitarist portability, playability, intonation, and durability. It’s all solid wood, but light. You can stow the Backpacker, in the special gig bag that comes with it, in aircraft overhead bins, and play it in armchairs, cars, parachuting, on mountaintops, in canoes – anywhere your adventures take you. Choose your Backpacker from a steel 6-string guitar, or this classical nylon version. Standard features for the ‘Backpacker Instruments’ include solid wood back, sides and neck, a one-year limited warranty, and padded carrying bag. Backpackers are fully playable compact travel guitars economically designed to meet the needs of musicians on the run! For their size, both the original steel-string style and this nylon-string classical model have a surprisingly rich and loud tone. Ruggedly built to withstand the rigors of outdoor situations like camping, hiking, and summer music festivals. Specifications MODEL Classical Backpacker Guitar CONSTRUCTION: Unique To Backpacker BODY SIZE: Unique To Backpacker TOP: Solid Spruce ROSETTE: none TOP BRACING PATTERN: Unique To Backpacker TOP BRACES: Solid Spruce BACK MATERIAL: Solid Tonewoods BACK PURFLING: none SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Tonewood ENDPIECE: none ENDPIECE INLAY: none BINDING: none TOP INLAY STYLE: none SIDE INLAY: none BACK INLAY: NECK MATERIAL: Solid Hardwood NECK SHAPE: Unique Contour NUT MATERIAL: Corian® HEADSTOCK: Solid/Tapered HEADPLATE: none /2 Raised Gold Foil (American Archtop and CFM less Est. in 1833) HEELCAP: none FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Select Hardwood SCALE LENGTH: 24” OF FRETS CLEAR: 15 OF FRETS TOTAL: 15 FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 15/16” FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2 3/8” FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: None- Double Side Dots (At 3,5,7 & 9 frets) FINGERBOARD BINDING: none FINISH BACK & SIDES: Hand Rubbed Urethane FINISH TOP: Hand Rubbed Finish FINISH NECK: Hand Rubbed Finish BRIDGE MATERIAL: Select Hardwood BRIDGE STYLE: Unique To Classic Backpacker BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2 7/16” SADDLE: Micarta® TUNING MACHINES: Chrome w/Small Knobs RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Darco D-30 HB Ballend Classical BRIDGE & END PINS: none PICKGUARD: none CASE: Padded Gig Bag INTERIOR LABEL: Small Foil Logo Located Above Soundhole ELECTRONICS: Optional Martin Backpacker® with Thinline 332® OTHER OPTIONS: Available left-handed at no additional charge Get Your Martin Backpacker Nylon String Today! |
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Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic-Electric Guitar Standard $299.99 An easy traveler with a great sound and feel! |
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In Store Used VINTAGE EPIPHONE 67 RIVIERA 12 STRING @821 Standard $1999.99 In Store Used VINTAGE EPIPHONE 67 RIVIERA 12 STRING @821 Standard |
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In Store Used USED BREEDLOVE SJ20/MY 12 STRING JUMBO Standard $1899.99 In Store Used USED BREEDLOVE SJ20/MY 12 STRING JUMBO Standard |
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In Store Used USED TAYLOR 355-CE 12 STRING ACOUSTIC Standard $1299.99 In Store Used USED TAYLOR 355-CE 12 STRING ACOUSTIC Standard |
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In Store Used USED RICKENBACKER 360/12 MAPLE GLOW 12 STRING Standard $1699.99 In Store Used USED RICKENBACKER 360/12 MAPLE GLOW 12 STRING Standard |
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In Store Used USED TAKAMINE EF381C 12 STRING Standard $599.99 In Store Used USED TAKAMINE EF381C 12 STRING Standard |
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In Store Used VINTAGE 061911 GIBSON B-45-12N 12 STRING ACOUSTC Standard $999.99 In Store Used VINTAGE 061911 GIBSON B-45-12N 12 STRING ACOUSTC Standard |
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In Store Used USED OVATION CELEBRITY CC165 12 STRING Standard $429.99 In Store Used USED OVATION CELEBRITY CC165 12 STRING Standard |
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In Store Used USED WASHBURN D46S12 12 STRING @855 Standard $399.99 In Store Used USED WASHBURN D46S12 12 STRING @855 Standard |
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In Store Used USED 80S YAMAHA EF385 12 STRING 062011480 Standard $399.99 In Store Used USED 80S YAMAHA EF385 12 STRING 062011480 Standard |
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In Store Used USED GUILD F-112 12 STRING W/ CASE Standard $899.99 In Store Used USED GUILD F-112 12 STRING W/ CASE Standard |
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In Store Used USED EPIPHONE HUMMINGBIRD 12 STRING W/C Standard $249.99 In Store Used USED EPIPHONE HUMMINGBIRD 12 STRING W/C Standard |
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In Store Used USED EPIPHONE PR 350 12 STRING ACOUSTIC Standard $199.99 In Store Used USED EPIPHONE PR 350 12 STRING ACOUSTIC Standard |
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In Store Used USED CORT EARTH-70/12 12 STRING @226 5-30-11 Standard $249.99 In Store Used USED CORT EARTH-70/12 12 STRING @226 5-30-11 Standard |
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In Store Used USED ALVAREZ AD60S/12 12 STRING 070711 Standard $249.99 In Store Used USED ALVAREZ AD60S/12 12 STRING 070711 Standard |
