Lyle W-470 12-String

I bought this guitar at a small music store in Kellogg, Idaho in 1972 or 73, shortly after I was discharged from the Navy. I've carried it all over the country with me.

The guitar is a Japanese "clone" of the Gibson Hummingbird, in a 12-string. Red fading to yellow sunburst finish, a Hummingbird-like pickguard, black headstock with an abolone (or perhaps, awwww-baloney!) inset. Very nice tuners that have given me very little trouble in the 30-plus years that I've had it. The tailpiece that others have mentioned also stress-cracked on mine about 1980 or so, but I found a replacement at another small music store, this one in Farmington, NM.

Heheh! F*n' AWESOME!!! Sweetest 12-string that you've ever heard. I have one friend that, whenever he picks it up, just can't stop playing it. He can sit there for hours remembering song after song.

I remember one time when I was playing an open stage. The host, a local mini-celebrity that also played a 12-string, heard the guitar and complimented me hugely on it, asking what it was. When I mentioned that it was made in Japan, his tone changed completely and he walked away in disgust. Me, I don't care where a guitar is made, or what it costs. If it sounds awesome, it IS awesome!

It has its problems. I've long since worn through the nitrocellulose finish to the wood below with my pick. The factory setup wasn't great. A friend (the same one mentioned above) actually filed the bridge down by rubbing it on concrete (unbeknownst to me at the time). I've replaced one tuner, as well as the tailpiece. The belly is sagging a bit but hey... so is mine. I have always ignored the advice to down-tune it, and I guess that's taken its toll, but it still plays on. If anything, its gotten better with age.

I've already pretty much mentioned everything for this category. I did have the belly-sag minimized once, and had a professional setup and some repair done to a body crack (by the Podium in Minneapolis, who treated it as though it were priceless!) With a guitar that sounds like this one sounds, you don't sweat the small stuff.

Oh... I also still have the original cardboard case. But BOY!, is that ever beat up! I drew psychedelic cartoons all over it when I was a young lad, and it (the case!) has been held together with fiber packing tape for years.

I seriously doubt the company still exists. When it needs work, I'll find a good luthier to do it, as I have in the past.

I'm 57 now, and I got my first guitar in 8th grade. You do the math.

If it were lost or stolen, I'd first confront my friend, Randy, mentioned above. He covets it. There is no replacing this guitar.

I also own a Martin DM, a 52 Re-Issue Telecaster, and a 1990 Les Paul. My Lyle 12-string stands amongst them, proudly.

I purchased this Guitar at Cates Misic in Bremerton Washington in 1975. The lable inside indicates that it was made in Japan. Solid Top as far as I can tell. 20 frets No electrics. It has a tailpiece bridge (TRAPEEZE). Mine is finished in Red Sunburst and has the standard HUMMINGBIRD pick guard. The neck is excellent for my rather large fingers. It did not come with a case so I have kept it in a cardboard one for it's entire life. It does not have a neck end, strap button. It does not have an acoustic pickup. I really hate that and I have trouble trusting anyone (Including myself to install one)

I play praise/gospel and folk. I always use a silk and steel string and the sweet rich tone this combination brings is unique and memorable. People remark about how soothing it sounds when I finger pick this guitar. People with smaller hands do not like this one. It wears them out. It does not go rock or jazz. That limits the versatility a bit but IT IS A 12 STRING. I play this without an amp on most occasions. I have a De Marco pickup that fits in the sound hole. That is all well good but the bass end gets overbearing.

I have made some minor adjustments but I expect that when I buy a guitar. I can maintain a clear rich warm tone without finger buzz while the action is smooth and easy. I can easily play bar chords all evening in a jam. This guitar action is set for good sound at CONCERT PITCH but I usually play lowered one step. Even lowered I can have that clarity and warmth I like from it. The only failure I have encountered is the tailpiece. The strings are attached at the bridge to a sculptured metal part that is attached between the trapeeze bars of the tailpiece. This metal part cracked and pulled in to two peices. My Dad is a retired machinist and was able to fashion a replecement peice for me. Remember this old gal os 30 and still looking and playing good.

Yes, I would not shrink back from going on the road with this one. I have played many a performance with this as my ONLY axe and never have had a failure. It is stable and always there for me. I would not risk losing it so it would travel with ME.

NO SUPPORT AVAILABLE

I have been playing 31 years and have had this guitar 29 of those years. If I were to lose it I would pursue another. I have played a lot of guitars and many people have played mine. I have never found a guitar that I would replace this with and many folk have made me offers for this old girl. A neck end strap button and a good acoustic pickup. would make this almost perfect.

This 12-String Lyle acoustic guitar is in good condition. I suspect it was made in the late '60 to early 70's, the tag says "made in Japan". It has 20 frets, and a tailpiece that transfers the pull of the string down to the base of the guitar, unlike any I've seen before. The neck is not thin, nor fat, but very comfortable to play, with incredible action. The body is a little "chunky", not thin like newer models, but produces rich sound that makes it worth it. Not alot of accesories, I did have a strap pin put on it so I could play with a strap and not have it around the headstock.

I love playing this guitar, I play worship music with it and the sound is great. It has a pleasing tone that's full and rich, pending the player/mood of player, it can sound dreamy or bright, twangy or soft. I don't have any dislike about the sound at all! It's sound is much better that any 6-string i've ever played, and of the other 12-strings, too.

I don't have the slightest idea how it sounded new; my mom got it for a present about 22 years ago. She played it for awhile, then it went under the bed 'till i got it out about a year ago. I put new stings on it and adjusted the action, and it sound really good. It plays close all the way up the neck, starts to taper off about the 11th fret. No buzzes at all, though. The structure is beginning sink in (very slightly, hardly noticeable), they say it's from age. It hasn't affected the sound at all, though. The overall look of the guitar is very polished and finished, the hardware is clean-cut and has stood up well. It has a natural burst finish that is bright and clear, no problems with chipping or cracking at all.

I think this guitar can do it all! I don't have to tune it very often, and for a 12-string, that's great! The hummingbird pattern on the pickguard is slightly worn, but not as much as other same-age hummingbirds I've seen. Yes, I'd play it without a backup!

I've been playing for about a year, I started out on the 12-string 'cause it's what we had. Mom got a 6-string Ibanez last fall, so I play that some, too. There's nothing like the sound of the 12-string, though. I would absoulutely love to get another Lyle, this one sounds so good that I would put my money up for another one! I love the action, it's so close and comfortable. The soundis incredible, too, I haven't heard anything but a Taylor rival it. The guitar is kind of big and bulky to play and take around, but worth the sound. It would be great to hear from those of you who have other Lyles, especially 12-strings!! I haven't been able to find out much at all about them, whether there are very many out there, what they're worth, etc. So please email me if you know more or have good links, and especially if you own or know of another 12-string!