Looking for some advice on a Leo Kottke 12er

[Louis]

I have a line on one of these second hand -don't know the year and it has no electrics. If I buy this thing is this something a guy should be poking holes in to install electrics ? I was gonna get a real fancy one but  changed my mind cause no matter how hard you try she is gonna get dinged out in the pubs . At the end of the month the road show is coming which I'm  going to and i'll find a deal there one way or an other . This one has Spruce top Mahogany back and sides. The  price is surely 1/2 decent on this one.

[Herb Hunter]

I’ve owned an LKSM-6 and have always wanted an LKSM. I see no reason to avoid installing a pickup system, depending on the type, in either version. While I wouldn’t consider a design that requires cutting into the side of the guitar, certainly a soundboard pickup with an outboard preamp wouldn’t be out of the question. Among the one’s I'd consider is Pick-up the World’s soundboard pickup along with their Power Plug jack-mounted preamp.




http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/acoustic.html


https://www.shorelinemusic.com/music/pickups-preamps/putw/pickup-the-world-power-plug/

[Joseph]

That is a great guitar.. And I think that it is unique.. So even if you spent a lot more for a new model of one brand or another.. It may look fancy but wouldn't have the flexibility or the tone that the LKSM has! I see every reason that you should put a pickup in it.. No major mods required.. Plenty of good options out there. ( as you know.. It was designed for heavy strings tuned down to C# but will handle standard tuning with lights on it... A very versatile guitar)!

[cigarfan]

Keep in mind they made to string up with heavy gauge strings.

I wouldn't think a pickup would be a problem.

[Louis]

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1bade74bf6ca083e18074f01a&id=2fbf71f9b9&e=0ba222a9ab
That's where I seen it.Not a bad site actually ..Scroll to the bottom and you'll see the Taylor emblem to click on, the at the top hit on-shop and then new arrivals and it's in  there  . The only thing that makes me leary  on buying second hand is how well was it humidified . One way or an other,this month with 2 road shows that I'm going to I'm coming home with a Taylor  12string.Thanks  for the pick up options .This is the serial number 1011129032 from what i can make out it was made In the 90's but you guys seem to be pretty good at what year it was made .I looked around and from what I can make out it' s it's about 1/2 the price of a new one .Not  sure what I should do cause I can get a brand new one but it won't be this quality .

[Louis]

Well enough is enough muncken  around with this 12string stuff?  I've been private massaging a member of this forum that knows his stuff and helped me decide. The Leo K Is too much for my playing ability since I'm just a vocalist. The Leo K is  made in the 90's I  think,and I keep a hygrometer in my cases and check my guitars like some check the stock  market and was afraid a little bit on how it might of been looked after.So I went to a Taylor sale and grabbed a 356ce for lower then the listed sale price straight cash. I tried about 3or4 of them and I'm a happy camper .

[michaelw]

...This is the serial number 1011129032 ...

that one is a 09 model
http://acousticletter.com/shop/used-taylor-leo-kottke-signature-12-string/#prettyPhoto
1 - el cajon
0 - decade digit
11 - month (november)
12 - day
9 - year (2009)
032 - sequence (32nd gloss body guitar started on that day)

the LKSM & LKSM were made through 2012
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/taylor-2012-lksm-6-leo-kottke-signature-model-acoustic-guitar
i'm not sure if they were any made earlier than 91, but here's a 93 model
http://www.fretboardjournal.com/blog/catch-day-1993-taylor-leo-kottke-signature-model

here's an article that was in the spring 95 issue of W&S
http://www.guitarmusic.org/kottke/gwss95.html

the standard set-up on the 6 string model is mediums tuned to concert pitch
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/lksm-6
while the 12 string had a set that was closer to a heavy gauge .013 - .056 (elixir 11162),
tuned down to C#, which is something that can be done on any Taylor 12 string acoustic,
but may require a little work on the nut slots as the concert pitch set are lights .010 - .047s -
that might be an interesting idea on a 150e

congrats on the 315ce

[Joseph]

Hey... Good choice on that guitar Louis...  a 356ce?  ( a 356ce is what is in your signature)...
Did you buy it after seeing a Taylor Road Show?    Anyway.. Congrats on the new 12 string!

[Louis]

Well Mike i sure need a lesson on how to read serial numbers . Yes Joe it is a 356 ce , Red Deer had a Taylor sale ( an hour north of Calgary) i went and tried about 3-4 of them and picked the 356 , they had a figured out  at sale price, i pulled out  a pile of cash and said "this what i have take it or leave it" and they took it  The Calgary road show is this Thursday and i'm going. I told them if i see a better deal at the road show after buying this here i'm coming back and gonna be just livid and they assured me it won't happen so we'll see. Thanks for all the help as it was a big decision.It's got standard tuning so i'll play with that for a while .

[Joseph]

You are more than welcome Louis... The GS series 12 string should serve you well over the years... And as you know their necks are legendary for playing ease.  Enjoy that guitar..!

[michaelw]

...So I went to a Taylor sale and grabbed a 315ce for lower then the listed sale price straight cash. I tried about 3or4 of them and I'm a happy camper .

i think you meant to say 356ce, right


to my ear, the 356ce is the sweetest sounding 12 string i've played yet & one of the best values to boot -
congrats on the 356ce

for more growl, you could probably put a medium set (.012 - .053) on 'er & tune it down a 1/2 step -
i think i may have to try that, with a micarta saddle, if get a chance to nab a 150e in the future

[Louis]

Yes Mike it's 356 ce .i'll experiment with strings like you say as I get more comfortable. Now what songs do I play with this contraception ?.So far I have Early morning rain -if you could read my mind and sounds of silence, ha a pile of cash for 3 songs . One thing I'll never do is bash an other guitar product but I can't believe how easy this thing plays .

[shorty]

Congrats on the new "12" Louis!! How about a photo for us...ENJOY

[Earl]

Louis, given your song selections from Gordon Lightfoot and the location mentioned in your profile, you simply have to play "Alberta Bound" too.     A 12-er is a nice way to achieve the Lightfoot sound.  I usually fingerpick "If You Could Read My Mind" on a six-er, but will have to pull out my 354ce LTD and give it a try on twelve strings tonight.  Enjoy!