Capo & Strings for Fender Electric XII

Hey all, I'm the (new) lucky owner of an early 1966 Fender Electric XII and being that this is my first 12 string electric I have a couple of questions for those that know better:

1 Can anyone recommend a Capo to use with the guitar? Would a standard 12 string capo (perhaps designed for an acoustic) be suitable or should I use something else?

2 What type of strings would you suggest I put on there? At the moment I've just purchased some Ernie Ball Slinky 12 String electric strings which only come in 1 gauge.

Thanks in advance! :)

When new it came with 9's.

Any capo thats fits should work.

When new it came with 9's.

Any capo thats fits should work.

I have a Keyser 12 string capo that I use for my electric XII. It works great.

I use a Shubb 12 string capo on my Ricky. You might try Pyramid strings. A lot of Rickenbacker players like them. I have a set of SOB's on my Rick that I had made up as a custom set. I had intonation problems on the low E string with the Pyramids and like a brighter tone.

You could go to Juststrings.com to see what they have for electric 12 string sets. Try a few sets until you land on something you like.

I had a set of ernie ball slinky 12 strings on my 12...I didn't think they sounded very good, and I am usually 100% an ernie ball man.

I was given a set of rickenbacker strings as a gift, I think they sound much better on my 12. I believe that they are a thicker gauge

I had a set of ernie ball slinky 12 strings on my 12...I didn't think they sounded very good, and I am usually 100% an ernie ball man.

I'm a 100% Ernie Ball man too which is why I just got this set quickly. They sound good to me, mind you that was compared to really old semi corroded strings it came with!

The reason I'm asking is because I get the feeling it's not Ernie Ball's speciality being that they only have one gauge and all for electric nickel wound 12 strings. I usually play 10's so 8's feel a little too light to me, but wasn't sure if that's just what you do on a 12 string to reduce neck stress.

Re capo's I've heard good things about the Shubb 12 string capo elsewhere so I'll probably give that a go.

I'm a 100% Ernie Ball man too which is why I just got this set quickly. They sound good to me, mind you that was compared to really old semi corroded strings it came with!

The reason I'm asking is because I get the feeling it's not Ernie Ball's speciality being that they only have one gauge and all for electric nickel wound 12 strings. I usually play 10's so 8's feel a little too light to me, but wasn't sure if that's just what you do on a 12 string to reduce neck stress.

Re capo's I've heard good things about the Shubb 12 string capo elsewhere so I'll probably give that a go.

Yeah, I THINK the rickenbacker strings I got are a heavier gauge...its a PITA changing 12-string strings I know, but you should try swapping for something heavier by a little bit. IMHO it makes the guitar ring more

Congrats on the Fender XII by the way! REALLY cool guitar, wish I could afford one! :lol:

Post some pictures!