Warren Haynes and his 12-string Les Paul

[frank3si]

I just returned to work after seeing Gov't Mule play a fantastic day-time set at World Cafe Live. They played a radio concert for NPR, and then ran through several more songs just for those of us on-hand before wrapping things up with "Soulshine."

Anyway, on the song "Railroad Boy" Warren broke out something I'd never seen him play before, a beautiful 'burst Les Paul 12-string! He played it capo'ed at the seventh fret, and played some very nice slide melodic stuff (I have enough slide issues with six strings...)

I spoke with his tech, Brian Farmer, after the show. He told me Warren got the guitar in 2006, and it's one of two that were built by Gibson. The other one is in the hands of a Japanese collector.

My cell phone pics of the guitar taken from the soundboard area are likely dubious, but if I can salvage anything I'll post one later. However, I did find one of Brian, Warren, and the guitar:

The song he used it on was one of the ones played for the radio concert, which you can hear right here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121069544

 

[mwm523]

Yep, I've seen photos of him with that Lester before. Never saw it live though... How did it sound?

 

[Burrmanchu]

Yep Warren's been bustin' out the ol' 12er... cool geetar, here's a lil more info
http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162706&highlight=warren+haynes+string
:salude

 

[frank3si]

Ah, I thought it might have been covered before... But at least Brian provided me with a bit of new info!

Nevertheless, don't miss that link to the radio concert at the top of the thread - it will be well worth your time to give it a listen! And Mike, you'll be able to hear the 12-string there (starts just after the 8-minute mark)...

 

[Victory Pete]

That is awesome! When will Gibson finally make a standard 12 string? I just bought a RIC 360-12, my choices were limited. I would like to see an SG 12. I had an EDS-1275 in the early 90's but I sold it a little later because of debt. I wish I still had it but it was not practical at all. A couple of years ago Gibson was selling an ES-335 12 for $5000!
VP

 

[frank3si]

One more bit of Mule - they went into the studio while in London two weeks ago and recorded tracks for Paul Jones' BBC2 show. Until Monday, you can hear three of the tracks in his 60-minute show here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p36rw

 

[fentonjames]

2006? i saw him play it for an encore of pink floyd's "wish you were here" on 10.21.2004

 

[Victory Pete]

That is awesome! When will Gibson finally make a standard 12 string? I just bought a RIC 360-12, my choices were limited. I would like to see an SG 12. I had an EDS-1275 in the early 90's but I sold it a little later because of debt. I wish I still had it but it was not practical at all. A couple of years ago Gibson was selling an ES-335 12 for $5000!
VP

Wow 4 years ago! Well I did get the SG 12 string, sold the Ric but the SG was strange to me, its neck was top heavy and somewhat thick, the pickups were high output 490R and 498T. I like high output but not in a 12 a string. So 1 1/2 years ago I get a Gibson email announcing the Les Paul 12 string. $2200. So I planned on doing the changeover once again. Just by chance 1 year ago I saw the LP 12 going for $1399 at a few online stores, what's this I thought. Turns out they were being discontinued already. So in a mad eBay auction I sold the SG12 to a guy in Vienna. The LP 12 string is great, nice thin maple neck and 57 Classic pickups. Like all my other 12 strings they are limited, but this one is a keeper.

PS: I have since seen the newest 12 string 335, That would be the ultimate but I am getting tired of this.

 

[stipping]

I have a goldtop 12 string that I got right when the model came out. I had double saddles put on the octave strings for better intonation. I absolutely love the guitar. Total keeper.

 

[Victory Pete]

I have a goldtop 12 string that I got right when the model came out. I had double saddles put on the octave strings for better intonation. I absolutely love the guitar. Total keeper.

Where did you get the double saddles?

 

[stock_hippie]

"Looks sort of ugly?"

 

[Victory Pete]

Wow 4 years ago! Well I did get the SG 12 string, sold the Ric but the SG was strange to me, its neck was top heavy and somewhat thick, the pickups were high output 490R and 498T. I like high output but not in a 12 a string. So 1 1/2 years ago I get a Gibson email announcing the Les Paul 12 string. $2200. So I planned on doing the changeover once again. Just by chance 1 year ago I saw the LP 12 going for $1399 at a few online stores, what's this I thought. Turns out they were being discontinued already. So in a mad eBay auction I sold the SG12 to a guy in Vienna. The LP 12 string is great, nice thin maple neck and 57 Classic pickups. Like all my other 12 strings they are limited, but this one is a keeper.

PS: I have since seen the newest 12 string 335, That would be the ultimate but I am getting tired of this.

I have a deposit on the new ES-335 12 string, let the madness continue! I have the Les Paul 12 string listed on Ebay just to see what interest there is in it.

 

[jannabilly]

I got my Les Paul 12 string in 2013(?) after it was purchased at the NAMM show buy the retailer. It has a strange habit of staying in tune! I love the tone.

 

[Victory Pete]

I got my Les Paul 12 string in 2013(?) after it was purchased at the NAMM show buy the retailer. It has a strange habit of staying in tune! I love the tone.

Yes it is an awesome guitar isn't it. I ended up buying the new ES-335 12 string and kept the Les Paul also. I decided to strip the gold top off and have since replaced the finish with another golden variety. Check out the process: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.627370100631341.1073741848.278179168883771&type=1

 

[stipping]

One of the people that works in the guitar shop I purchased it from put the saddles on. Here is a pic of it. I adore this guitar. I also had my tech install a push/pull that engages a Ric capacitor. It takes out the low end and gives the guitar a jangle. I wish I could remember what it is, I'm not good with tech stuff. But it really brings out the shimmer for certain clean things.

 

[Victory Pete]

One of the people that works in the guitar shop I purchased it from put the saddles on. Here is a pic of it. I adore this guitar. I also had my tech install a push/pull that engages a Ric capacitor. It takes out the low end and gives the guitar a jangle. I wish I could remember what it is, I'm not good with tech stuff. But it really brings out the shimmer for certain clean things.

How well does that intonation trick work?

 

[William Mundey]

That is quite ingenious!

 

[stipping]

It works fantastic. Dead on intonation. It's magic. I saw someone from different forum use it. It is sort of what Don Felder did before he had those special saddles made for his double neck, I believe. It made a good guitar great.

 

[Victory Pete]

It works fantastic. Dead on intonation. It's magic. I saw someone from different forum use it. It is sort of what Don Felder did before he had those special saddles made for his double neck, I believe. It made a good guitar great.

Great, I have the LP 12 and now I have one of the new 335 12, I cant stand the fact the strings are out of tune. BTW I had an EDS-1275 back in the 1990's. It was a novelty but I wish I would have kept it.

 

[Tidepoolbay]

I saw an interview with Warren's guitar tech. He said there are only two made.