12-string Guitar Mic Type and Positions

I've played around with a lot of different mic positions. The one that is the closest to what I hear when I'm playing a 12-string is spaced omni mics, one at the join of the neck, one at the tail, both rather close.

Maybe just because it's a giant jangle of different noises coming from all directions, but that's what I hear.

An example: Slow Blues in A

Dance, a Portrait of Tom O'Leary, c. 1980 Art Sulger

Convolver and Impulse Responses

Convolver and Impulse Responses for Room Spaces

Even when it's noisy I can get a pretty quiet recording.

I recorded the natural sound of the recording room when it was quiet.

I record my guitar using mics very close to the instrument.

mix, then, Profit!

Spaces, Art Sulger c.1980

Recording the Space

First I transcribe, for later use, the echoes of the room. I've done it 2 different ways. Both are described here.

The easier and quickest way was to put microphone(s) in a good listener location, then record an impulse sound generated at the location I usually play. The impulse is a short and sharp sound with a lot of frequencies. Pop a balloon, fire a starter's pistol [I have a shotgun, probably too disruptive], or clap some hardwood boards together. The impulse sound needs the same frequencies that playing makes.