Just practicing some songs for performance next weekend...

[Diego Ayala]

Here are a couple of songs I just thought to push record play...

1st song is called Clocks and Bells, and the second  Babies, Just Like little Angels (for those of you who have been @ the hospital when they are born, and held them in your arms and saw that face when they smile back at you...  And, then they grow up, become teenagers and start thinking on their on!

Was just practicing a couple of sets for a performance next weekend, and these were part of my warm up set!

Just me and my 12 # 2 - Takamine

Vampire # 4444

[Bluesberry]

Yes sir that 12 string really sings.  Beautiful playing.  Is this fingerpicked or plectrum, I don't get the whole 12 string thing yet, I keep picking one up at the music store, strumming, it seems like is real hard to fingerpick.  And what about keeping them in tune, is it a pain.  I really, really like the way this sounds, I just may have to look into 12string guitars a little more in the future.  So Diego what is the secret, other than the fact that you are one damn fine guitar player, whats the 12string secret?

[Diego Ayala]

Finger picking and 30 + years of playing it...  If you looked @ nails in my right hand you would say = for sure he's a vampire - long nails.  My problem is that I play it so much that it is hard to switch over to a 6 string acoustic or electric because can't get that sound out of the other guitars. I have been addicted to the 12 since first layed my hand on one in Spring of 1977 - and will lay it down every now and then, but not for long, especialy the older I get...  For tuning, once strings mellow after 2 -3 days after changing them they'll stay in tune fairly well, and the Elixir polyweb strings I use help tremendously - I also put either olive oil or lemon oil on the strings and neck - it makes it easier to slide fingers. For changing strings, some good background music and some scotch whisky help a lot -ha!

The secret I think lies in the sound that you want out of it - you play it exactly the way you play your 6 string and adapt to the massive neck, and the rest is just playing it...  Most all of my compositions for the last 10 years have been on the 12.

[Frank53]

Sweet, Diego! Two beautiful pieces of music. I can only dream of playing like that. That 12-string has a wonderful sound. I should try to learn to fingerpick. I never use a plectrum, anyway. It's funny, I play drums, but I have no coordination when I try to fingerpick. I guess I have 12 thumbs. LOL!

Great work, Diego!

[Diego Ayala]

Sweet, Diego! Two beautiful pieces of music. I can only dream of playing like that. That 12-string has a wonderful sound. I should try to learn to fingerpick. I never use a plectrum, anyway. It's funny, I play drums, but I have no coordination when I try to fingerpick. I guess I have 12 thumbs. LOL!

Great work, Diego!

Thanks Frank!  I could only dream to be able to play the drums!!!  One draw back of playing the 12 for me right now is that arthritis has set in my fingers, and especialy my left hand so it is becoming a chore to hold some of the barred chords...

[SteveG]

Teenagers think? 

Lovely bit of picking, and a fine tone on that 12! I have tried to fingerpick on a 12 string, and can only stand back in awe at your skills.

[Diego Ayala]

Teenagers think? 

Lovely bit of picking, and a fine tone on that 12! I have tried to fingerpick on a 12 string, and can only stand back in awe at your skills.

Thanks Steve!  Yeah, that's right - "teenagers think?  "  Emancipate may be more appropriate - tasting freedom spiced-up with hormones...  My both kids are way pass the teenage stage ---

[Rickocaster]

I'm not worthy!  I'm not worthy!  I am in awe of you, D.  Great picking.  How do you record your acoustics?  Do you mic them, or do you plug them into your recorder through the 1/4" jack?  I have a Takamine 6 string with a Fishman transducer and onboard preamp, and I haven't found the best method for my BR600 yet.

[Diego Ayala]

I'm not worthy!  I'm not worthy!  I am in awe of you, D.  Great picking.  How do you record your acoustics?  Do you mic them, or do you plug them into your recorder through the 1/4" jack?  I have a Takamine 6 string with a Fishman transducer and onboard preamp, and I haven't found the best method for my BR600 yet.

Rick, I go straight to the br900 via 1/4" - have a built in hot pickup in the 12 and it seems to work alright - I have not tried it via a mic yet, but eventualy will give it a try and check out the difference.

[Bosko Schwartz]

You're an amazing guitarist, Diego!!!

Beautiful, just beautiful!  Are these original compositions?

I can relate -- at least partially -- to the "Babies" song, as I have a 3-year old now.  Certainly not a teenager, but he's very independent, wants to do everything himself, and he is no longer our little baby in his mind.  Little does he know, he will ALWAYS be our little baby.