12 string sounds like a sitar

yes -- one could go bad. start with a replacement.

I'd start with tuning. If the string is that far out of tune, it could be vibrating sympathetically.

Thanks guys. I'll probably tune it tonight and take it from there. I forgot that any strings can vibrate sympathetically.

I'd start with tuning. If the string is that far out of tune, it could be vibrating sympathetically.
+1 Nick's right -- sometimes I just take these things for granted.

A string that's pretty loose in a nut slot can buzz so it sounds sitarish.

I tuned it using the Korg electronic tuner (is there any other way!? :D ). The whole guitar was way sharp, but the string stilll "sitars" even in tune. It only twangs open. At every fret it sounds normal. Next step is to replace the string. If that doesn't do it, a trip to a tech is in order, I guess.

If it only does it open, I'd look closely at how it sits in the nut.

Best,
Ande

If it only does it open, I'd look closely at how it sits in the nut.

Best,
Ande

Thanks. I looked, but to my untrained eye it looked normal. I'll take a magnifying glass to it.

Ande is dead on: the nut, given your description fretted vs. non. 12-stringer nuts are pretty fragile. they crack and chip easily due to the close-spaced slots for each course (pair of strings). if you find a chip or crack -- then it may be repairable (cyanoacrylate, maybe with baking soda), but a replacement should be planned.

OK thanks. I'm going to look for damage to satisfy my curiosity. I figure this will cost me something one way or another. I'd just as soon replace it and get the guitar some tlc. He is over 20 years old, after all. He's due for a "Me Day". :lol:

Well, it's not good. :|

I went to the guitar shop that is the repair specialist in the area. They looked it over and immediately saw the nut and bridge need to be replaced. That's probably the cause of the sitar sound. No big deal or expense there. I was asked how it was tuned. I said normally. I was told it should be dropped at least a half step if not even a whole step. It was showing too much tension on the neck. Now mind you, I tune it with the electronic tuner, not by ear.

Another guy there gave it a more thorough look-over, held it up at eye level and said "Look at this..." The top is concave and the neck is slightly warped. It's a plywood laminate construction, and the wood is dehydrated, making the action too high. He said it can't possibly be easy to play much about the 7th fret. I said he was right.

For kicks he tried to adjust the truss rod, but it would not budge. He had no idea why... maybe manufacturing, maybe its age (20 years) and quality (lower end Gibson Epiphone).

He said that as a possible remedy, take it home, lay it in its case flat, loosen the strings and put a small glass filled with water into the soundhole, and close the case. Let the water evaporate and then fill it up again. Repeat until the wood has rehydrated. So, that's what I'm doing. He said if it's going to "recover" it could take 3-4 weeks, maybe less. Then I should bring it back and they'll take it from there. But from the reaction of the third guy, it looks like he called it a lost cause.

Is this all b.s. to have talked me into a sale? I don't know. But I do know what I saw... the geetar IS warped. :| I asked that if it's beyond adjustment, would they use it for trade-up and sell it "As Is, Damaged". They kind of chuckled and said no, they'd never be able to sell it.

Well, I really don't need a bass. As my boss said "You can't even play guitar and you want a bass?" But I don't want to be without a 12 string. So my savings fund for the bass will go to a new 12 string. Maybe a Seagull.

I'm pretty bummed. :cry: