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Duo-Tone 12

django49

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django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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SOME day I would like to find one of these.

Are there many around? Do they pop up for sale at all? Or safely tucked away in the hands of people that will not let go?

mc2 Veteran HFCer

mc2

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I think there are seven. Six in a BCR run and one other (I think was ToneJunkie's?)

atquinn Veteran HFCer

atquinn

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Don't forget Laura P.'s Ultimate Duotone 12! At any rate, I don't believe I've ever seen one for sale.

-

Austin

cynic Veteran HFCer

cynic

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There was a natural finish Duotone 12 for sale on a site last month for $1400. For the life of me I can't remember what site it was, but it also could have been an old ad because I didn't call to confirm availability.

polara Veteran HFCer

polara

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I had a custom order Duotone 12 that was a flat top with the round sound holes but had the newer Duotone Custom electronics. It was finished in Gretsch orange and had mini-buckers. Mobster ordered it, didn't like how it hung on a strap and sold it to Joe, who realized in a few days he didn't like 12 strings. I kept it a while but couldn't find much use for it. Gorgeous guitar, very playable, amazing sounds. Sold it to some guy on the west coast.

kizanski Veteran HFCer

kizanski

Posted
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Chris' Guitars

"60. 2002 Hamer Duotone 12-String, Before I got this guitar, I wasn't even aware that Hamer made the Duotones in a 12-string version, which is understandable since they are extremely rare. It's the best of both worlds in a 12 with a quality sounding Piezo pickup under the saddle - plus a pair of Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers - and you can select the acoustic output (piezo) only, magnetic output (mini-hums) only, or both, via a 3-way selector, plus a separate 3-way for the Duncan bridge-neck-both. Additionally, the guitar offers stereo outputs to route your acoustic and electric signals to two different amps (or channels); one of the outputs wired mono, with both signals routed to it. Rather than complicate the control section with a bunch of extra knobs, Hamer uses recessed pots on the back cover to control the EQ for the acoustic tone with low, mid, high, and gain. You will likely find the setting that sounds best with your amp and just set it and forget it. The guitar features the classic combination of solid spruce top, with a chambered solid mahogany body and neck. Like most Hamers, the body/neck joint is constructed to allow easy access all the way to the top fret with a short heel and all but one fret is clear of the body. Like its 6-string brother, this guitar is a joy to play and the action is so low that it's almost like playing a 6; simply outstanding in that regard. It's in near immaculate condition with no pick scratches, buckle scratches or other extraneous wear other than some slight nickel wear on the pickup edges and a short (1/2") lacquer crack behind the nut (shown here). It doesn't have any "Hameritis" (milky finish) which is common around the neck joint and edge of fretboard. Due to its thinline design an chambered mahogany body, it is nearly impervious to feedback, which makes it a fantastic stage guitar, but it will also shine for studio work. I have no idea how much this model would cost if ordered today. As I've mentioned many times in the past, Hamers are among the best American guitars on the market, with quality well above the larger manufacturers. For the Hamer collector, you know there are virtually none of these on the market or if you're just a player looking for a top notch electric 12, it doesn't get any better. A truly great guitar for $1499(HOLD-Greg C 8/2). Includes similarly clean Hamer case."

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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  • Author
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I guess this goes on the "wish AND hope" list for me. I appreciate the link to Chris' Guitars.......I think the "hold" indicator means it has been sold. If I had a choice, I suppose I would prefer something other than mini-HBs.

I know.......picky, picky, picky.....

kizanski Veteran HFCer

kizanski

Posted
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I guess this goes on the "wish AND hope" list for me. I appreciate the link to Chris' Guitars.......I think the "hold" indicator means it has been sold. If I had a choice, I suppose I would prefer something other than mini-HBs.

I know.......picky, picky, picky.....

"(HOLD-Greg C 8/2)" to me translates as "buyer hasn't paid balance in over 4 months, so it's For Sale again."

Either that or Chris needs to update the site a little more often.

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I guess this goes on the "wish AND hope" list for me. I appreciate the link to Chris' Guitars.......I think the "hold" indicator means it has been sold. If I had a choice, I suppose I would prefer something other than mini-HBs.

I know.......picky, picky, picky.....

"(HOLD-Greg C 8/2)" to me translates as "buyer hasn't paid balance in over 4 months, so it's For Sale again."

Either that or Chris needs to update the site a little more often.

I bought from him 3 months ago and it is still on "hold", so I think it is housekeeping time......No reply to an email, so more suspicion it is long gone.

Will keep my eyes open.

In the meantime......Still loving that Monaco III bought from you some months ago.! Reignited my Hamer lust.

Citrus Veteran HFCer

Citrus

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If you want it, call him

Have done lots of deals with Chris, and he is slow on emails

Having said that, I am the Greg it was on hold for ( didn't really put it on hold - long story ) and didn't buy it - my guess is it is still available

polara Veteran HFCer

polara

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I can testify that the mini-buckers work well. Very Ric-ish in this situation.

  • 3 weeks later...
django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Chris' Guitars

"60. 2002 Hamer Duotone 12-String, Before I got this guitar, I wasn't even aware that Hamer made the Duotones in a 12-string version, which is understandable since they are extremely rare. It's the best of both worlds in a 12 with a quality sounding Piezo pickup under the saddle - plus a pair of Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers - and you can select the acoustic output (piezo) only, magnetic output (mini-hums) only, or both, via a 3-way selector, plus a separate 3-way for the Duncan bridge-neck-both. Additionally, the guitar offers stereo outputs to route your acoustic and electric signals to two different amps (or channels); one of the outputs wired mono, with both signals routed to it. Rather than complicate the control section with a bunch of extra knobs, Hamer uses recessed pots on the back cover to control the EQ for the acoustic tone with low, mid, high, and gain. You will likely find the setting that sounds best with your amp and just set it and forget it. The guitar features the classic combination of solid spruce top, with a chambered solid mahogany body and neck. Like most Hamers, the body/neck joint is constructed to allow easy access all the way to the top fret with a short heel and all but one fret is clear of the body. Like its 6-string brother, this guitar is a joy to play and the action is so low that it's almost like playing a 6; simply outstanding in that regard. It's in near immaculate condition with no pick scratches, buckle scratches or other extraneous wear other than some slight nickel wear on the pickup edges and a short (1/2") lacquer crack behind the nut (shown here). It doesn't have any "Hameritis" (milky finish) which is common around the neck joint and edge of fretboard. Due to its thinline design an chambered mahogany body, it is nearly impervious to feedback, which makes it a fantastic stage guitar, but it will also shine for studio work. I have no idea how much this model would cost if ordered today. As I've mentioned many times in the past, Hamers are among the best American guitars on the market, with quality well above the larger manufacturers. For the Hamer collector, you know there are virtually none of these on the market or if you're just a player looking for a top notch electric 12, it doesn't get any better. A truly great guitar for $1499(HOLD-Greg C 8/2). Includes similarly clean Hamer case."

Appreciate the tip....Yes, it WAS available.......Not cheap, but it is wonderful. I was apprehensive about the mini-HBs, but I think they suit the 12 string very well.

Bobby Marshall Veteran HFCer

Bobby Marshall

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Awesome find. Congrats. I have a cheapo 12 and need to come up with some covers to use it on. What are you playing with yours?

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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  • Author
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Awesome find. Congrats. I have a cheapo 12 and need to come up with some covers to use it on. What are you playing with yours?

Good question.....I have not had it long enough to think it through all that much. As you would probably expect, it has an awesome ability to blend acoustic and magnetic sounds, best with separate amps. Most likely best in a "live" use, since it would probably make sense to do parts separately if recording.

Strange as it sounds, I added a little bit of "grit" on the mag side, some reverb on the clean acoustic side and did some bluesy things. Kind of a unique take on, for example, Stormy Monday, doing the 12 string rhythm, ramping up the mag volume for a lead, WITH "doublestop" bends.......Guess I should see if there is anything to add with a slide (Allmanesque) as a second lead, then ratcheting it down for the vocal backing. The action on this thing IS really low,so t is not as strange as it sounds to do bends and hand vibrato on a 12 string.

The 3 way gives variety, letting a Rick style come thru, but also something less trebly when desired. I thought I would prefer regular HBs, but they might then be too overpowering.

I had previously run down an Eclipse 12 string with the same mini-HBs, so I suppose I should get around to moving that one. There is nothing wrong with it...... The chambered body and the acoustic output of the Duotone just put this into a whole other orbit.......I will have fun experimenting further as this holiday prep winds down. Hamer did a good job with this one!

Bobby Marshall Veteran HFCer

Bobby Marshall

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The action on this thing IS really low,so t is not as strange as it sounds to do bends and hand vibrato on a 12 string.

I have never tried that. Do both the primary and octave sound right if you bend up a 1/2 step? or do you only bend on unison pairs?

Bobby Marshall Veteran HFCer

Bobby Marshall

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ELP - Still You Turn Me On / Lucky Man

Beatles: You Can't Do That

A Hazy Shade of Winter

Stones: As Tears Go By

Zep: Gallows Pole, Tangerine

Mr. Tambourine Man

8 Miles High

Animals: It's My Life

Nice list. I would add Eagles - Hotel California.

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The action on this thing IS really low,so t is not as strange as it sounds to do bends and hand vibrato on a 12 string.

I have never tried that. Do both the primary and octave sound right if you bend up a 1/2 step? or do you only bend on unison pairs?

The strings are in unison ONLY on the highest 2 strings. On the G string (my favorite for bending, even on guitars) it is tuned in octaves with a .017 and .008. Not sure if I would say the bends are PERFECTLY matched, but I like it. It is set up with light strings, so is more like an electric than acoustic in that sense. I think it is good the way it came, so doubt that I will try to go heavier.

Probably not going to do much serious bending on the lower strings. But then bending is one idea here and would get old quick if done too much.

I know that the 12 string will be very nice sounding with a lot of other "folky" sorts of tunes. I am thinking some Dylan (Desolation Row anyone?) and things of that (older) era. Maybe the arpeggio/harder chording of things like Ten Years After ("Love to Change the World"). SRV, MAYBE not!

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