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Giffin 12-strings

  
 
 

 

 

    This guitar was really a labour of love on my part!  Having been a 12-string freak since "Walk right in" by The Rooftop Singers in the early '60s and the wonderful sound of The Byrds   - I knew that I had to make the "ultimate electric 12 string."  It had to have a neck that you could actually play on!.  It had to have a big, ringing, jangly sound - which meant a  hollow body.   A hollow body, though, usually meant unwanted feedback, so I designed my uncoupled, isolated bridge mount, which effectively cut out almost all unwanted feedback while retaining the full hollow body sound.  The neck is not too big, not too thin, the string spacing is accurate and comfortable.  People who try my 12-strings almost without fail will comment on how easy they are to play  - "it feels like playing a 6-string!!"
 
  12-string Hollow body, Bird's Eye Maple top  
Specifications:
 Body:  Honduras Mahogany 
Top:  Bird's Eye Maple
Neck:  Honduras Mahogany with Maple laminates
Fingerboard:  Brazilian Rosewood
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  Brazilian Rosewood
Hardware: Nickel
Bridge:  ABM string-thru system
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  WSC Alnico5 Strat
Finish:  Lemon Drop

  Bird's Eye, although difficult to catch correctly in a picture, is a very good looking wood, not seen too often on guitar tops.
 
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       Basic model, hollow body

 12-string Hollow body,
Autumn Glo finish
Specifications:
 Body:  Honduras Mahogany
Top:   Curly Maple
Neck:  Honduras Mahogany with Maple laminates
Fingerboard:  East Indian Rosewood
Binding:  Cream throughout
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  East Indian Rosewood
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  ABM string-thru on anti-feedback mounting
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Vintage style Single-coil Strat pickups
Finish:  Autumn Glo

    The autumn glo finish on this hollow body
12- string looks particularly nice over the tight flame on the Maple top.  I used a very straight grain Indian Rosewood for the fingerboard with a matching piece for the headstock.
 

  
 

Click on thumbnails for enlargements!

 

  

 

  12-string Solid body,
Amber burst
Specifications:
 Body:  Swamp Ash  
Top:  Curly Maple
Neck:  Laminated Curly Maple
Fingerboard:  Ebony, un-bound
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  Brazilian Rosewood
Hardware: Nickel
Bridge:  ABM string-thru system
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Gibson Deluxe Mini Humbuckers  with Firebird covers
Finish:  Amber burst

   As with all my solid 12s, this guitar has a very crisp, bright sound and the action is so low, you can hardly feel the strings!


Basic model, solid body

  
 

Click on thumbnails for enlargements!!!

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Basic model, hollow body

Click on thumbnails for enlargements!

 12-string Hollow Body, Trans Vintage Yellow
Specifications:
 Body:  Honduras Mahogany
Top:   Quilted Maple
Neck:  Honduras Mahogany with Maple laminates
Fingerboard:  South American Rosewood
Binding:  Ivoroid, throughout
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  South American Rosewood
Hardware: Nickel
Bridge:  ABM string-thru on anti-feedback mounting
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Stacked Humbucking Strat pickups
Finish:  Transparent Vintage Yellow

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  12-string, Semi-Acoustic, Rich Amber Burst 
Specifications:
 Body:  Fiddle-back Maple
Top:   AAA Quilted Maple
Neck:  Three-piece highly figured Curly Maple
Fingerboard:  Highly figured Brazilian Rosewood
Binding:  Un-bound, with clear Maple body edge
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  Matching AAA Quilted Maple
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  ABM string-thru system
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Stacked Humbucking Strat pickups
Finish:  Rich Amber burst

 The semi-acoustic construction leaves a solid center block but still allows the guitar to have an 'airy jangle.'  The Rosewood heal cap has a decorative Abalone inlay.  Overall, this guitar looks gorgeous.... the pictures aren't really doing it justice.
                            
                             Click on thumbnails  !!!

    
  Upgrade body and top & neck wood
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Basic model, solid body

 12-string Solid body, White Pearl finish 
Specifications:
 Body:  Swamp Ash  
Top:   Maple
Neck:  Laminated Maple
Fingerboard:  Ebony, bound
Binding:  Tortoise shell over multiple black/white throughout
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  Ebony
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  ABM string-thru system
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Vintage-style Kent Armstrong Mini Humbuckers
Finish:  Gold tinted Pearlescent White

I took a slight departure from my regular guitars, and made this guitar expressly to have a solid color finish.  The pearlescent particles in the white finish have a gold tint which changes color as you move the guitar around.  A very classy looking guitar!

  
12Whitef4.JPG (36492 bytes)12Whiteb4.JPG (34552 bytes)12Whiteh2.JPG (36609 bytes)DSCF0002.JPG (50519 bytes)12Whitedet.JPG (53708 bytes) 12Whiteheel.JPG (36326 bytes) 12Whitedet2.JPG (41506 bytes) Click on thumbnails for enlargements!!!

 

 

 

12-string Solid body, Purple burst

Specifications:
 Body:  Swamp Ash  
Top:  Curly Maple
Neck:  Laminated Curly Maple
Fingerboard:  Ebony, un-bound
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standar Pearl lines
Head Veneer:  Brazilian Rosewood
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  ABM string-thru system
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Vintage-style Firebird, Mini Humbuckers
Finish:  Purple-burst

  This is a very interesting sounding guitar.   Lots of sparkle, with a very nice mid-range attack. And, I've got to say, I love that color.                

  
Basic model, solid body
 		  
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Click on thumbnails for enlargements!!!

 

 
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 		 12-string Hollow body -  Koa top with oil finish
    
Specifications:
 Body:  Honduras Mahogany  
Top:  Curly Koa with cream binding
Neck:  Honduras Mahogany with Maple laminates
Fingerboard:  Brazilian Rosewood, cream bound
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard lines
Head Veneer:  Brazilian Rosewood, cream bound
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  ABM string-thru system on anti-feedback mounting
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Stacked Humbucking Strat pickups with gold covers
Finish:  Natural oil & wax
 
  12Koaf.JPG (40497 bytes)12Koab.JPG (46301 bytes)12Koabod2.JPG (67828 bytes)12Koas.JPG (43675 bytes)12Koahead.JPG (47717 bytes) Click on thumbnails for enlargements!!!
 

 

  12-string solid body - Midnight Blue Burst
 
Specifications:
 Body:  Swamp Ash
Top:  Curly Maple with clear Maple 'fake' bound edge
Neck:  Laminated Curly Maple
Fingerboard:   Ebony, unbound
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard lines, White pearl
Head Veneer:  Ebony
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  ABM thru-body, 12-way bridge
Tuners:  Gotoh Mini
Pickups:  WSC Strat type single coils with cream covers and cream mounting rings
Finish:  Midnight Blueburst 

   

  

Basic model, solid body		  
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Giffin 12-string Hollow body - Walnut

Specifications:
 Body:  Blistered Maple
Top:  AA Curly Walnut
Neck:  Laminated Curly Maple
Fingerboard:   Ebony, unbound
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
Inlay:  Standard lines, Abalone
Head Veneer:  Brazilian Rosewood
Hardware: Gold
Bridge:  12-way tun-o-matic on anti feedback mounting.  Separate flush-mounted key-hole style tailpiece.
Tuners:  Gotoh Minis
Pickups:  Velvet Hammer single coils in Tortoise shell mounting rings
Finish:  Natural oil & wax   

  This guitar has my  anti feedback bridge system with a separate flush-mounted key hole tail piece, unlike the other hollow body 12s which have the bridge and string holder all in one unit.
 


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REVIEW
"Guitar Shop" Jan '99
 
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Walnut2.JPG (60530 bytes) Click on thumbnail to se an example of another Walnut 12-string Hollow body  
 
 
General specifications for most Standard 12-strings:
  
(Suggested dealer retail price, basic model -solid body 12-string, :  $4,015)
Price for Custom order, basic model solid body 12-string direct from Giffin Guitars: $4,115
 

(Suggested dealer retail price, basic model- hollow body 12-string:  $4,240)
 Price for Custom order, basic model hollow body12-string direct from Giffin Guitars: $4,340

 (All instruments ordered directly from me are "custom orders" even if they fit within basic specs.)

Any custom guitar ordered using parts and materials from this light blue box section should fall within the basic model price (will not add to the price).  Any custom option from the dark blue box will add to the price by the amount shown.
Materials used on Standard 12-strings (all basic models):
                                                                                                     The Wood Pile
 Wood:
 Body:  Honduras Mahogany, Swamp Ash or Black Limba
 Neck:  Laminated Honduras Mahogany or laminated Maple
Body top:  S (standard)  Figured Maple.  (please check "The Wood Pile" for examples of available wood)
Fingerboards: Indian Rosewood, South American Rosewood or Ebony

 Hardware:
 Tuners:  Grover or Gotoh mini tuners
 Bridge:  ABM string-thru body 12-way bridge
Pickups:  Wolfetone Strat pickups, Kent Armstrong mini humbuckers, Dimarzio Virtual Strat pickups
Guitar controls: 1-volume, 1-tone (CTS or DiMarzio pots), 3-position pickup selector (Switchcraft) or 5-position Strat-style selector
Neck dimensions:
Scale length:  24 3/4 inches
 Width at nut:  1 3/4 inches, width at 22nd fret:  2 1/4 inches.
Neck thickness at first fret:  .775 inches to .850 inches.  Thickness at 12th fret:  .875 inches to .950 inches.
General neck shape is reminiscent of a 1961 Gibson SG (sometimes called a 'blade' neck).  
Neck/body joint:  Neck joins body at 18th fret.  Heel is cut away to an unobtrusive but safe minimum.
 Standard String gauges used:  .009/.009,  .012/.012,  .009/.017,  .013/.024,  .018/.034,  .024/.044
 

  

 

 Additional options for Custom orders:

Body and neck wood:  White Limba (Korina) - Add $250, Walnut - Add $75                 

Neck material:  5-ply Curly or Bird's Eye Maple - Add $100

Body top materials available:  UG (upgrade) - UG+ (upgrade plus), Maple - curly, quilt or Bird's eye, Redwood burl, Redwood curl,  Figured Walnut, Curly Bubinga, Curly Koa - Add $125 - $450  (please check "The Wood Pile" for examples of available wood)

Optional Fingerboards:   Madagascar Rosewood, Macassar Ebony - Add $50, 
Brazilian Rosewood - Add $300 

Optional fingerboard inlays:  Butterflies - Add $400,  Teardrops - Add $100,  Snowflakes - Add $75
Abalone Pearl binding: Guitar fully bound with multiple laminates and Abalone Pearl - Add $600

For Custom inlays - please call for quote.

Other scale lengths available:  None

For any other custom details - please call or write for quote

Hardware:  For hardware options other than standard, please call for quote.
 

  

 
 

Home   Standard Solid-body   Standard Hollow-body    T-Model    Macro    Micro    12-strings    Custom Guitars (1)    Custom Guitars (2)  
Custom Guitars (3)    Options    About Giffin Guitar    Vintage Gallery    Client List    How to Order     Contact