What have I done.... 1970's Penco 12 string ARRGGH

[old mark]

I pulled the trigger online on a 1970's Penco 12 string, which was a very nicely made Japanese acoustic guitar sold by a music store in Phllly about 40 years ago. Mine arrived with more and worse damage than I had anticipated, and I was going to try to get a refund, but I looked at it later in the sunlight, and thought I might be able to repair it. I did, but it took me a month. I started to string it up about 9 AM today, and just got it more or less tuned about 2 PM. It sounds GREAT, but I have not owned a 12 string since 1971, when my Mexican Guitarra Double' exploded one night after I had stupidly leaned it against a hot radiator the day before.

I had forgotten what a pain in the ass they are to re-string, tune and keep tuned....GAAHHH.

But it sounds so fine!

I have it dropped down to D, and I like the bassiness of it .

I have to go stretch out the strings again...the whole dozen.

mark

 

[JonMan94]

Locking tuners. one set of six in line left, one set six in line right. DONE.

 

[old mark]

Locking tuners. one set of six in line left, one set six in line right. DONE.

This has the old open back 6 on a strip tuners...it's 40 years old, dude!

It finally settled in about 8PM. sounds really fine.

mark

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I love a good twelver! Pain-in-the-ass string changes and all.

 

[AngryHatter]

Wet tuning is the way to go, sounds SO much better.

 

[old mark]

Came down this morning and the thing is still in tune! I'm amazed. This old gal sounds really great for a repaired old wreck. Japan made some fine acoustics in the 1970's!


mark