You play it just like a normal bass, it just sounds like a guitarist with an octavia is doubling your line. Usually you use a pick on a triple course 12 strings, though you can play fingerstyle too, slap and pop is almost impossible. The strings can be found at most large retail stores, and at several places online.

Hmmm...Groovy...the Jeff Ament in me spoke up ;)

I've always wondered about those 12-stringers myself...who are some good manufacturers of them?

I think Hamer makes a nice cheap one

Galveston makes a cheap 12 string as does Dean (Rhapsody). Haven't played either Bass. The Dean Rhapsody looks beautiful. They also have an 8-string Model.

I think the Galveston can be had for around 4 benjamins (check e-bay). The Dean Rhapsody 8 for $500 and the 12 for around $600...

I am saving my clams for a Dean Rhapsody 8 myself.

- Tom

I've found that the Hamers B12 and B12s are quite nice and the sound has a real bite to it. The Dean is pretty nice as well. You can find Galvestons on e-bay all the time. My personal favorite though is the Hamer B12S. The shortscale is easier to deal with for me. Bottom line...try them out and base your decision on the performance vs cost. If you splurge and buy one, let me know what you decide. Good luck!!!

The bass player in Cheap Trick (Tom
Peterson, I think) plays a 12-string - maybe
you could send an e-mail to their website for
his advice?

I've tried playing the HAmer B12s both ways and it really depends on the sounds I want. If I'm working on heavier rock sounds, I prefer to use the pick, but mellower stuff...I try to use fingers. Check the responses under "instructional" part of FretBuzz. Another bassist (Juan Leon) mentioned the set up of the strings detemining fingers or pick. As for where to find strings, go to 12stringbass.com They have a section that deals with just strings. I believe they list brand specific strings and also substitutions. Either way it will cost a bit (but in my humble opinion, its a good investment) Good Luck!