The 12-String Guitar: Rock's Secret Weapon

#12stringguitarsongs #12stringguitar #twelvestringguitar #12string #guitarreviews #acousticguitarsongs #rockitmusic
Do you know what 19 of Rolling Stone's Top 100 Songs of All Time have in common? They owe much of their awesomeness to the use of a 12-string guitar. Although the 12-string has been used in countless hits and classic songs over the past 6 decades, it remains criminally underrated. For people like Jimmy Page, The Beatles, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Johnny Marr, and even the Edge, it's a secret weapon that played a huge role in so many of rock's greatest songs. In this video, we're going to take a look at 12 songs that have helped shape rock n' roll. All of them prominently feature a 12-string. Enjoy!

00:00 - The Song Remains the Same
00:31- Intro
01:01 - Why NOT the 12-String?
01:31 - Walk Right In
02:02 - A Hard Day's Night
02:22 - Mr. Tambourine Man
02:35 - Eight Miles High
03:03 - The Rok-Lok
03:49 - Sloop John B
04:23 - All Along the Watchtower
04:42 - Stairway to Heaven
05:12 - Maggie May
05:25 - If you enjoyed the video please consider subscribing
05:41 - Wish You Were Here
06:13 - Hotel California
06:39 - Closer to the Heart
07:03 - Wanted Dead or Alive
07:25 - Free Fallin'
07:58 - I Stay Away
08:19 - Final Thoughts

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VANGOA 12-STRING GIVEAWAY January 5- February 10 2025
It's been a while since I've uploaded and the channel needs a shot in the arm so it's watch party time. You get one entry for every video you watch in its entirety. Please email me the videos you watched and 3 things you liked each video (or why the video sucked). PLEASE don't watch 20 seconds of a video and move to the next one. This really HURTS the channel. I work so hard to make these videos and cutting corners like that is a backbreaker.

Thank you so much for your time and support. I really do appreciate it!

[NDFlyFisher]

I always loved the sound of a 12 string. Harrison and McGuinn were my idols in the 60s.

I have two 12 string acoustics and this year I was finally able to buy a Rickenbacker 360-12.

Excellent video Mark.

[That_Guy_Says_Hi]

Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker on "Eight Miles High" still carries me away.

I'm a lapsed drummer but 12-string in the right hands reaches me in the same way the saxophone does. Sometimes, just one note and you find yourself moving just to keep up with your heart.

[briankempton]

I have a Guild Starfire I-12. Love it! Your videos are one of the reasons I purchased it. Besides wanting to have a 12 string for the longest time! Thanks Mark!

[F.O.H.]

Proud owner of a 1990 cherry burst Ovation. 12-strings are the natural instruments of harmony. Really love your channel.

[blakewilliams]

Good video. Glad to see you back in action!!!!

[magg]

Great invention Mark! It's been fun to see how your channel has evolved over these years and I must say the content has upheld high quality. Thanks for all the lessons, tips/trick, rock'n'roll lore and much more!

[chadthomas]

Excellent history of the 12 string in our favorite rock songs. I just got my first 12 string. Sounds amazing!

[stankruger]

Excellent comeback dude. Love this video. The "pop up video" factoids alone are worth the price of admission. Thanks.

[muddyexport]

Thanks! And I am a big fan of your Rock-Lock. Wroks great and easy-peasy, switch-o change-o!

[TimothyCoxMD]

Thanks so much for the video! Love the double exposure effect.

[PaulBrydges-gjur]

Mark, happy to see you performing 12 string classics, love the sound of that chime. Rok-Loks still doing there job on my guitars. Rock on.

[markdelissio]

Well done video. After selling a Taylor 12 string 25 year ago, I finally replaced it with another Taylor 12 string last year. So glad I did.

[guithawk-ijis]

Enjoying your video while playing my Guild Starfire 12. Been playing almost 50 years and didn't acquire a 12 string until I picked this up last year, partly inspired by watching your channel. I love it! It's a semi-hollow with split coils, so the variety of tones is amazing.

[alkitzman]

Hey Mark I cant tell Guitarists enough the 12 String adds so much color to most songs. I play one 75 percent of the time. The Rok Lok is an outstanding improvement on all the other strap locks on the market. I own 4 sets . They never fail. Happy New Year and I hope sales are soaring for the Rok Lok

[michaelsullivan]

Hi Mark, Currently own a Reverend 12-string that this channel motivated me to purchase. Like it more than even the Ric 660/12 that I briefly owned. Have loved 12 strings since my parents bought John Denver’s Prayers, Promises album circa ‘71… seeing John with that Guild acoustic 12 on the cover really did it for me. John was a great 12 string troubadour and the biggest entertainer in the world in the mid-70s! Also much love to my faves George, Roger, DonF.

[salvadorsepulveda]

Happy New Year Mark, great to see you back on 🎉

[colb]

I have an inexpensive Cort MR710-12 and am saving for an Ovation 12 like my late wife used to own (it was stolen years ago), to match my Ovation 6. I also have some neck blanks made up and one of them is going to end up a 12 string electric, I just haven't decided on the details yet.

My Christmas present to myself was a solidbody nylon string 6 that's taking up most of my time ATM.

I seldom comment, but I really enjoy your videos. Thank you and Bless.

[freesk]

Another good video! Great playing! Thanks! :)

[Dreyno]

Bought my first 12 string before Christmas. A Guild Starfire 1. Love it. Nothing sounds like an electric 12 string.

[arthurrose]

Nice collection of 12 string classic's over 60 years, nicely played. I'm in my 70's now, just starting to feel some age, but this takes me back to my first band, 55 years ago! You got me pulling out my old 12 string 381!