[Pesketron]

I got myself a spanking new Takamine 12 string for christmas, but i've got a little problem with the high G string. I was downtuning it and kind of overdone it when i decided to tune it back up it snapped. Fortunately i had a spare but this snapped aswell when i was tuning it up. It's the highest pitched string on the whole guitar and also the thinnest which doesn't help at all. How do i manage to tune it all the way up to the high G?

Also, can any of you recommend some famous songs specifically played on the 12 string guitar, however hard they may be?

Thanks, Mark.

[kooldood1]

mine breaks the high g alot..not sure why...but some famous songs are...tangerine by zeppelin...wanted dead or alive by bonjovi...hotel cali. i think...every keller williams song but hes not famous and really really really hard to play...um cant think of more atm but ill think...oh and nice pick-up 12s are awesome just to have...they sound great for rhythm..theyre so rich and full and chorusy

[rasav]

Tune to D standard and use a capo?
Go to a store and get like a .08 steel.
The snapping thing is bothersome, it's a new guitar, is there anything in the nut groove or on the bridge that might be causing the string to catch or hang?

[dadfad]

Also, a 12-string should be tuned (at least) a half step below standard (EbAbDbGbBbEb). Most manufacturers will void the warrentee on a new guitar if you don't. You also might want to check around the area it's breaking (the nut or saddle probably) to see if it has a rough or sharp surface there. A folded piece of fine sandpaper (or even matchbook striker) will usually take care of that.

[CRG1400]

Also, a 12-string should be tuned (at least) a half step below standard (EbAbDbGbBbEb). Most manufacturers will void the warrentee on a new guitar if you don't. You also might want to check around the area it's breaking (the nut or saddle probably) to see if it has a rough or sharp surface there. A folded piece of fine sandpaper (or even matchbook striker) will usually take care of that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dadfad, could you please explain why is should be tuned down at least a half step.

[dadfad]

Sure. Because all the extra strings put a lot more tension on the neck and neck-joint. While they are generally made a bit stronger than a 6-string, it's still a lot. They are actually designed to be tuned lower than "standard". Actually, on a 12-string, a half step lower than a 6-string IS standard. For a 12-string.


And some older "long-neck" 12s need to go even lower. I know several guitarists (including myself) who often tune a step and a half or even more lower. I personally love the "brooding depth" of a low-tuned 12, especially playing 12-string slide.


An example of a 12-string played 2 1/2 steps down by a friend

[CRG1400]

So even though it is detuned, it will still be in tune with a standard tuned 6-string?

Edit: accidentally put g-string ha ha

This post has been edited by CRG1400: 07 January 2005 - 11:49 AM

[dadfad]

So even though it is detuned, it will still be in tune with a standard tuned 6-string?

Edit: accidentally put g-string ha ha

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No. It'll be half step lower. A 12-string player who plays a lot with other 6-string players will often capo at the first fret to match the 6 or tune a full step down so they can more easily play together (for example, then the 6-string player plays in the key of D and the 12-string player plays "as if" in E, which is actually in D when tuned a whole-step down, etc, etc. Or, conversely, the 6-string player will just tune down to match the 12.

[CRG1400]

So, it is actually harmful to a 12-string to be in standard tuning?

[dadfad]

So, it is actually harmful to a 12-string to be in standard tuning?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. As I said many new 12's come with that warning on the hang-tags, or warrentee-card, etc. This is not as much the case with electric 12s where the strings are much thinner and have less tension (although still a good idea).

[CRG1400]

Thanks for the info, always a mountain of knowledge.

[dadfad]

Thanks for the info, always a mountain of knowledge.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks. A mole-hill anyway maybe!

[Pesketron]

thanks for the help guys, its my birthday today and i got a DVD about 12 string guitar playing taught by Mr Roger McQuinn (some of you may have heard of him), and he said to tune it down half a step too which ive done. and he tells you how to play a load of specific 12 string songs such as Mr. Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn which i can now play the intros too . Im going out tomorrow to a the shop where i bought it from and ask them about it. I might get it done free cos they get good business from me lol . I bought a Fender American Deluxe Strat, this 12 string Takamine and a dealy pedal for about £100.

Anyways, thanks once again

[dadfad]

Yeah, I saw him play a couple of times years ago with The Byrds. He is (was anyway) generally an electric-12 guy but did nice "walking bass" type stuff as he played. Seems like (but don't hold me to it) he strings his 12 differently, with the thicknesses reversed. I know a couple of guys who do. You get a slightly bassier tone when you put your thicks above the thins instead of below them. Sounds like a good DVD anyway. And happy birthday!

[narad1986]

Mmmm... 12 string .. can't wait to have the money saved up .............

[thewitchypoo]

That's handy to know, I don't own one (yet)
but my pal does and she was complaining it
kept snapping!
I'll pass on this info.

Dadfad you're a star!

[The_buffalo]

I remember Ovation came out with a 12 string it clamed in it's ads that it was designed to be tuned to standard pitch, like a 6 string, but I always tune my 12 strings a whole tone lower ( DGCFAD )and capo at the second fret.

[kooldood1]

to me it sounds better tuned down...more thicker and fuller

[Pesketron]

dafdad, your right about him tuning his guitar differently. he has the pairs reversed because the higher string acts like an aftertone that rings out. i mighr do it next time i restring this thing.

[krypton57]

I've got two 12-strings.

One of them I permanently tune down (but in standard tuning pattern) a semitone and use a capo as required.

The other one I tune permanantly to Open G - my favourite tuning.

Also try using ultra/extra light gauge strings.

This post has been edited by krypton57: 11 January 2005 - 07:30 AM