Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [12-string-guitar]

The twelve-string guitar is an acoustic or electric guitar with 12 strings in 6 courses, which produces a richer, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar

The strings are placed in courses of two strings each that are usually played together. The two strings in each bass course are normally tuned an octave apart, while each pair of strings in the treble courses are tuned in unison.

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Can I re-string my 12 string guitar with strings of different octaves?

I have an ibanez 12 string guitar, and ive been thinking of changing strings but instead of replacing it with an octive string i would like to put the same pair of strings. So my question Is .. What should i do to not prevent my guitar from breaking…
user27272
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Restringing a 12-string guitar with heavier strings - is it possible?

I'm considering using a 12-string guitar I don't play all that much as a testbed: Is it possible to restring an acoustic guitar as a baritone guitar, or even just string it so I can tune it down a few frets? For anyone who doesn't know, a baritone…
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Can I play a 12 string like a 6 string guitar?

I have a cheap 6-string guitar. I want to get a new one and am considering a 12-string guitar. What are the differences between 12- and 6-string guitars? Can I use a 12-string like a 6-string? Will it work like a normal 6-string if I take off 6…
Ethan Smith
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12-string acoustic guitar - how do nut and saddle materials affect tone?

I'm doing some work on a 12-string acoustic guitar, and am planning to replace the nut and saddle. I need to raise the action a little bit for the E and B strings, and also want to change to a slightly heavier gauge, so I'll need a nut with slightly…
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12 String Guitars - Some Information?

So I've been playing the guitar for a while, and I'm comfortable with different styles of music (classical, blues, a bit of jazz, folk etc.) and I have a few different guitars (an acoustic steel string, a nylon string classical, and an electric.)…
Kitchi
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What is the point of 12 string electric guitars?

As I understand the concept of a 12 string acoustic is that the doubling of strings gives the acoustic instrument a greater sonority, more volume, and a very nice full, rounded sound. So I was just wondering what the premise of a 12-string electric…
Neil Meyer
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Tune high B and E strings one octave apart like the other strings?

Traditionally high B and E strings are tuned in unison. Why are they tuned like this? Unlike the rest of strings. If this can be done anyway, could this be achieved with the standard set of unwounded strings? Should I increase one octave of the…
HarmonicaMuse
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Would my 12 string guitar break if i added pairs of strings instead of octaves and removed the last low-E string?

I've heard of lots of famous musicians doing this, for example Ariel Camacho. And their guitars never break. I'm wondering if I added pairs of strings and removed the last low-E string, would it break?
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How to Overcome High Action/Heavy Gauge Strings on a 12-string?

I've played the guitar for over 40 years—I'm now 59 and I started when I was 11 or so. I've played professionally, been in many bands, played every sort of guitar imaginable and even been a bass player for several of those years. Now, however, I've…
Kamakiri
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What do you think of attempting to tune an Acoustic 12-string one full step up?

Many like to tune a 12 string 1/2 to 1 full step down. I understand it reduces tension, reduces breaking the high G string and/or allows you to run thicker gauges for a fuller sound. However I normally run the capo on the 2nd fret. It works but I…
JKelly
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Why are these guitars strung this way?

What is the reasoning and effect of the Rickenbacker 12 string turned around method of stringing up the guitar with larger strings to the left of the lighter gauge strings on a right handed guitar?
skinny peacock
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12 string tuning to DADGAD

For tuning dadgad on my 12 string would it be: D1D2 A1A2 etc up to gad (leaving gad same octave) on my tuner to get the correct octaves?
Kevin McCarty
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12 String guitar going out of tune around the 8th fret on the high e, b and g

I just bought my 12 string guitar and the g,b and high e string go out of tune when i play it around the 8th fret i'm really getting worried. I'm wondering if its a problem with the type of strings it has
Jose galvan
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12 string guitar stringing

Most commonly, 12 string guitars have their bottom four pairs arranged so that when strumming down, the octave strings sound before the original E A D and G. Is there any particular reason for this? Could they be strung the other way? Why is this…
Tim
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Is there an advantage to medium gauge over light if I'm not adding tension?

I recently got a 12 string acoustic, and due to availability, put a set of D'addario mediums on (they had light, the store owner recommended meduim). It sounded great, however that's my first time buying non-coated strings in a long time. They died…
Brydon Gibson
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