A 12-string guitar may look strange to most guitar players, but this unusual instrument has the jangle that your ears could fancy. I remember my senior year in high school when my Dad bought me one. (Well, I asked my Dad for it as a Christmas present.) I was so giddy when I saw the thing and didn’t take my eyes off from it. Call it ‘Love at first sight’? But the salesman thought I was some kind of a weirdo why I wanted the strange-looking guitar, while there displayed were good 6-string acoustic ones in glossy lacquer finish, and some in red and orange hues, and to think it is too big for me to even carry. That Sunday night, was the happiest! I kept staring and strumming ‘til wee and didn’t mind to sleep a few hours for I had to go to school early the next morning.

I really appreciated the sound so rich, the ringing and jangle that lasts on the ear that it gives. And to have a better sense of what-about, here are 12 videos of some of my favorite artists using the 12-string guitar.

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01 THE BYRDS – “Turn, Turn, Turn”

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02 THE BEATLES – “If I Needed Someone”

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03 THE BYRDS – “Mr. Tambourine Man”

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04 THE BEATLES – “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away ”

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05 Mark Gardener & Andy Bell of RIDE – Live 2003

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06 THE CHURCH – “Under The Milky Way”

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07 JAMES – “Sometimes”

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08 ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN – “The Killing Moon”

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09 THE CURE – “Friday I’m In Love”

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10 THINGS OF STONE AND WOOD – “Happy Birthday Helen”

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11 THE GENTLE ISOLATION – “Let’s Go Slow”

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And last! ~ but not the least is a trivia… May 26, 2011 (Coincidentally Monch’s birthday!) – Paul Simpson donates his 12-string Aria guitar which he used during CARE’s recording on the song “Flaming Sword” & The Wild Swans’ Space Flower Show Album. Precious piece I’d say! See Paul Simpson with the CARE, using the very guitar he donated on the youtube link. And! Please bear with the video for its quality recorded on betamax (Hey, it’s the 80’s!). This was even shared by Mr. Paul Simpson himself, on his facebook page.

12 CARE – “Whatever Possessed You”

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Tomorrow, Liverpool’s Legendary, The Wild Swans performs in Manila (October 1, 2011 ◊ Saturday) at 1 Esplanade in MOA which also coincides with the release of their new album as well as their UK tour. It’s going to be ~Melting Blue Delicious!!!

/Ness ♥