[billy16]

In the future, I'm hoping I can get my hands on a 12 string. But since I've never owned one, I just need to know some basic things.

First off, I know a 12 string cannot be in standard E, it has to be tuned down. A regular capo wouldn't fit, would it? It'd be a bit too small I think. So do I have to buy a certain capo for it?

And where can I get a decent price on strings for a 12 string? Everywhere I've looked has them, but they're 10-47 or 10-49 which is a bit light for my liking on that type of guitar, and some cost a bit. I know they're gonna cost more, but I still think I could get a bit better of a price.

The guitar will be either a Johnson or some other brand (it's on E-bay for like $160). And they're left handed too. Oh, how long does it take to restring one of these? I don't like changing strings (don't know of a guitarist that does).

Thanks for the help.

[SmoothD]

In the future, I'm hoping I can get my hands on a 12 string.      But since I've never owned one, I just need to know some basic things.

First off, I know a 12 string cannot be in standard E, it has to be tuned down.      A regular capo wouldn't fit, would it?      It'd be a bit too small I think.      So do I have to buy a certain capo for it?

And where can I get a decent price on strings for a 12 string?     Everywhere I've looked has them, but they're 10-47 or 10-49 which is a bit light for my liking on that type of guitar, and some cost a bit.     I know they're gonna cost more, but I still think I could get a bit better of a price.

The guitar will be either a Johnson or some other brand (it's on E-bay for like $160).     And they're left handed too.        Oh, how long does it take to restring one of these?       I don't like changing strings (don't know of a guitarist that does).

Thanks for the help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here's what I know Billy. My regular capo fits but barely! My 12 came from E-bay but I went to vintage acoustic to buy it! Stringing takes twice as long as a 6 but it's tuning that drives me up the wall!

But, the sound! Ahhh, playing certain songs you hear what you never heard on the 6 strings! And it's been written here that you can essentially play anything on a 12 so when you get yours, be creative!

D

This post has been edited by SmoothD: 04 June 2005 - 05:40 AM

[The_buffalo]

Check with the manufacturer - I'm sure that a 12 string is designed to be tuned to standard pitch if you use light guage strings ( 10 - 47 ). If you want to use 12's ( 12 - 54 ) you're going to have to tune down 1 or 2 whole steps (i.e. high E strings tuned down to D or even C). I use Jim Dunlop capos, and they fit my Yamaha FG512 and APX5-12A, and my Ovation Celebrety CC65. I don't use a capo on my Epiphone Riviera 12. It takes about twice as long to restring one as it does to restring a 6 string.

[mikeyo24]

i want a 12 string

[dadfad]

Check with the manufacturer - I'm sure that a 12 string is designed to be tuned to standard pitch if you use light guage strings ( 10 - 47 ). If you want to use 12's ( 12 - 54 ) you're going to have to tune down 1 or 2 whole steps (i.e. high E strings tuned down to D or even C). I use Jim Dunlop capos, and they fit my Yamaha FG512 and APX5-12A, and my Ovation Celebrety CC65. I don't use a capo on my Epiphone Riviera 12. It takes about twice as long to restring one as it does to restring a 6 string.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My new Gibson J-185-12 (brand-new just a couple of years ago) came with instructions to tune low and a disclaimer saying that not to do so would void the life-time warranty. My friend's new (in '98) Taylor-12 came with a similar instruction (I forget what model he had). My old '71 Martin-12 has stamped inside it "Use Medium or Light Strings Only-Tune Below Concert Pitch." (I didn't get it new.) or something very close to that. (I forget exactly. My damn brother borrowed it about three or four years ago and he still hasn't managed to get it back to me.) (the jerk...). Anyway.....

I tune AT LEAST a half-step down. On my longer-scale 12 acoustics I'll go a whole step or step and a half (rarely but occasionally even two). That low is excessive, and I only do it because I want that deep rumbling sound you get from it, especially playing 12-string slide. But I would never tune an acoustic-12 up to concert-pitch. Not for very long anyway.

Some (not all) electric-12s are supposed to be able to use concert pitch (I have heard Ric's are), but even then, I don't do it. I have a vintage Gibson ES-335-12, a cheaper double-neck 6/12 (had an old Gibson SG 6/12 I bought new in the early 70s. Yeah, I know.... Page, etc, etc. I wanted to look cool too! ) It was stolen a few years back at a gig. It didn't come with any instruction one way or another. So electric-12s (much less string-tension) might be okay at concert-pitch. Still (better safe than sorry i/m/o) I've always tuned them down a half-step (on the double-necks I'd de-tune the 6-neck also to match it.)

Some acoustic 12s may be designed to take it. I can't say none are, but I would prefer to "err on the side of caution."

[The_buffalo]

Check with the manufacturer, check with the manufacturer, check with the manufacturer - I'm sure I've seen literature from Guild, Ovation & Yamaha stating that their 12's are designed to be tuned up to standard pitch, but again, check... The reason so few of the old Stella 12 strings have survived (think Leadbelly, Blind Willy McTell), is due to the combination of heavy guage strings and concert pitch - those old guitars just folded up under the added strain of double strings. You should always go with the manufacturer's recomendations regarding tuning & string guage.

[Claptonman]

i want a 12 string

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Me too. I went to guitar center and tried one out and it sounded beautiful.

[kuger]

ok, so his is how I learnt my lesson. I had a Epi 12, cant remember the model, but it was a desent one. I quite liked the sound of it at a whole step down, but every now and then, Id like to have it in concert pitch to play along and learn some songs on a cd etc. So one day the guitar took a little knock on the head by the floor and the head snapped clean off... ghey it was very ghey. On a second note, ive found in most cases that the octave G struggles in standard struggles somewhat, but I was using the cheapest ones.

[okiejohn]

I have a thirty year old Ibanez Artist that the origional owner kept tuned to eadgbe, and the top wood is warped at the bridge because of it. It's mostly cosmetic, but the action is a bit high at the upper frets. It's a shame that the guitar was kept tuned like that, and the first thing I did when I got my hands on it was to tune it down a step.

I took it to a guitar store in Tulsa, one that's been in business for many years and has a great reputation for acoustic guitar repairs to have them evaluate it and see if they could fix it. I told them to go ahead and put a fresh set of wires on it while they were looking it over.

Long story short, ain't worth fixin', but when I picked it up it was tuned to eadgbe.........go figure...the SOB was damaged from that tuning, I took it over there tuned down a step, and they do that.

One day I'll get me another 12 string, and you can bet your booties it's never going to be tuned to eadgbe. Anyone cranking it up to that will be shot.

[narad1986]

Id like to have it in concert pitch to play along and learn some songs on a cd etc. 

I couln't bear to read past that line

Reading this thread has rekindled an old lust for the 12 string ......... hmm...... might be my next purchase

[kuger]

Id like to have it in concert pitch to play along and learn some songs on a cd etc. 

I couln't bear to read past that line

Reading this thread has rekindled an old lust for the 12 string ......... hmm...... might be my next purchase

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

as in you dont like people playing to a cd...? or bout me having a terrible day and losing my 12 string?

[narad1986]

the damage to the 12 string ....

[kuger]

yeah it was a very sad day, think I was is in shock just a little, the guys and family around me were taking it worse than I was

[liz_collins]

12 strings sound beautiful. thought ya had one, but i guess not. you'll like one though. try playing "lenny" on one. beautiful....just beautiful.