Larry Bell and the Enchanting World of 12-String Guitars

A Lifelong Obsession Born Out of Sound and Silence

Larry Bell, an 85-year-old artist renowned for his minimalist glass sculptures that explore the interplay of light and color, has harbored a lifelong obsession with something entirely different: 12-string guitars. His journey with these instruments began under circumstances that were as unexpected as they were profound. Born with severe undiagnosed hearing loss, Bell grew up in a world of silence, unaware of the richness of sound that others took for granted. Music lessons were a struggle, and his hearing impairment left him feeling disconnected from the auditory experiences that shaped the lives of those around him.

One fateful day, when Bell was 17, his life took a dramatic turn. While wandering through Downtown Los Angeles, he spotted a peculiar guitar hanging in a pawnshop window. Unlike the standard six-string guitars he had seen before, this one had 12 strings—a sight that captivated him. Intrigued, he asked to hold it and, as he dragged his nails across the strings, he experienced an epiphany. For the first time in his life, he not only heard sound but also felt it, as the vibrations resonated deeply within him. This moment was transformative, igniting a passion that would define much of his life: collecting and playing 12-string guitars.

A Growing Collection: A Testimony to Passion and Perseverance

Over the decades, Bell’s love for 12-string guitars has only deepened, leading him to amass an impressive collection of roughly 300 instruments. These guitars are not merely objects of admiration; they are a testament to his enduring passion for the unique and the improbable. Each guitar, with its intricate design and resonant tones, has found a home in a climate-controlled room within his studio in Taos, New Mexico—a space dedicated entirely to preserving these fragile yet remarkable instruments.

Bell’s admiration for 12-string guitars stems from their complexity and sensitivity. Unlike their six-string counterparts, 12-strings are notoriously difficult to tune and play, requiring a level of skill and patience that only the most dedicated musicians possess. It is precisely this challenge that Bell finds appealing. “My collection is about my passion for improbable things,” he remarks, reflecting on the uncommon beauty and difficulty of these instruments. For Bell, each guitar is more than just a tool for music—it is a work of art, a testament to the craftsmanship and creativity of its maker.

The Stories Behind the Guitars: Unique and Extraordinary

Within Bell’s collection, each guitar has a story to tell, whether it’s the most recent addition, the weirdest, the most expensive, or the most precious. His most recent purchase, for instance, was a serendipitous discovery during the run of his retrospective, Larry Bell: Improvisations, at the Phoenix Art Museum. With some spare time on his hands, Bell was driven to local guitar shops by one of the curators, where he stumbled upon a fantastic instrument made in Vietnam. Its sound, he describes, is reminiscent of a cross between a harpsichord and an organ—a truly unique find.

The “weirdest” guitar in his collection, by Bell’s own admission, is one he commissioned years ago—a 12-string guitar small enough to slip under an airplane seat. This custom-made piece speaks to the lengths Bell has gone to in pursuit of his passion, as well as his willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible with these instruments. On the other hand, the most expensive guitar in his collection, a handmade McPherson from Sparta, Wisconsin, cost him $10,000—a testament to the premium craftsmanship that goes into creating these intricate instruments.

Yet, not all of Bell’s guitars are pricey. The most precious one in his collection is a modest Mexican instrument made about 50 years ago in the town of Paracho, Michoacán. This unassuming guitar, which cost him only $600 at an L.A. store, is extraordinary in its playability, reminding Bell—and anyone who has the fortune of playing it—that the value of a guitar is not determined by its price tag.

Borrowed, Damaged, and the Future of the Collection

Bell’s guitars have occasionally taken on lives of their own, with some finding their way into the hands of musicians who have borrowed them—and, as he wryly notes, “never gave them back.” While this might be frustrating for some, Bell seems to take it in stride, recognizing that the true value of his collection lies not in ownership but in the music it inspires.

Still, caring for such a large and sensitive collection is no small task. The dry climate of Taos poses a constant threat to the guitars, as their wooden bodies are prone to cracking. To combat this, Bell has installed four humidifiers that run around the clock, ensuring the instruments remain in optimal condition. His dedication to their preservation is evident in the meticulous care he extends to each piece, treating them not only as musical instruments but as delicate works of art.

Looking to the future, Bell has begun to consider the legacy of his collection. Reflecting on the devastating fires in Los Angeles and the potential loss of guitars for many musicians, he has entertained the idea of donating the entire collection to an organization that can put the instruments into the hands of those who need them most. For Bell, this would be a fitting culmination of his lifelong passion—a way to ensure that the music and magic of his beloved 12-strings continue to inspire and uplift others for generations to come.

The Artist and the instrument: A Shared Journey of Light, Sound, and Beauty

Larry Bell’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the unyielding pursuit of beauty. From the silence of his early years to the vibrant world of sound he discovered through the 12-string guitar, his journey is a testament to the transformative power of art. His collection of guitars, like his glass sculptures, is a reflection of his fascination with light, color, and the intricate ways in which they interact with the world around us.

For Bell, each guitar is more than just an instrument; it is a 
work of art, a source of inspiration, and a reminder of the improbable beauty that can emerge from challenging circumstances. As he looks to the future, his hope is that his collection will continue to resonate with others, much like the vibrations of his first 12-string guitar did all those years ago. In Bell’s world, the boundaries between art and music dissolve, leaving only an abiding appreciation for the improbable and the extraordinary.