12 String (Page 1 of 2)

Hey KP, 

I too am stepping into the 12 string world and there is some debate as to whether detuning (down a half step or two - probably have the terminology wrong...) is necessary with new builds.  Mine is from the late 70's and hasn't had a great life, so  I plan to reduce the stress as much as possible - light strings; detune, I'm thinking a full step and capo to standard tuning.

Mike Golay wrote a tech article on the issue (I'm not sure I can drop a link here... the mods will fix it as required)
http://www.bansheewerks.com/frivolities … tml#gauges 
A couple pages down is the 12 string info.

Good luck,
Jim

No offense to Nela. . . but . . . Open tuning is when you tune to a specific chord, ie D, C, G etc. Dropped tuning is to relieve tension. Thanks to everyone, I have found the awswer that I sought.

I agree with Roger - if a 12 wont hold up to  standard E tuning then dont buy it.  Mine has nevr been a problem.

I have an old 1983 model, MIJ Ibanez 12er I've always tuned to standard tuning. A couple of things I do is always use medium light strings, and when I am not going to use it for a while, de-tune it. Just turn the tuners down a turn to release the tension. After you have done this a few times, you find that the tuners almost always end up in the same place so that when you need to tune up again, one turn up gets you almost back in tune and justs needs tweaking. Never tried drop D tuning, might one day just for comparison.
Good comment above from Zurf and BGD.

All the best
Bushy

Just returned from my trip to Pennsylvania with a Yamaha 12er. My brother has been playing his 12er for about 40 years. He uses standard tuning and never detunes, says he has never had any problems and always uses light guage strings. I've decided to do the same with my 12er. I do however sometimes like to play around with dropped D tuning but always retune to standard when I'm finished noodlin around.

Hiya gang
I play a lot of song in the key of D. (I play with a penny whistle player who only owns two whistles , D and A) LOL
My 12 string is always in "Double drop D" - both the high and low E strings are tuned down to D. not because of reducing any strain on the guitar but, for me it makes it easier to play and sounds tremendous
Give it a try.
Cheers
Howard

Hiya Bushy

Yes, sorry. All 4 E strings are tuned down to D.

I'm not sure if this is in "double drop D" but it's the type of sound I was after and it works great in that tuning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYlUyi1hmqI

Cheers
Howard

Hiya Bushy

Some chord shapes to try for songs in D

D    O O O 2 3 O 
A    0 O 2 2 2 2
G    5 5 O O O O
Bm    9 9 9 7 O O
Em    2 2 2 o o o
A    7 7 7 6 o o

Mainly on the 4 low strings ( or 8 on a 12 string )
Major and minor chords can all be created with 2 shapes and moved up the neck

E    2 2 2 1 o o
Em    2 2 2 o o o
F    3 3 3 2 O O
Fm    3 3 3 1 O O
G    5 5 5 4 0 0
Gm    5 5 5 3 o o
A    7 7 7 6 o o
Am    7 7 7 5 o o
B    9 9 9 8 o o
Bm    9 9 9 7 o o
C    10 10 10 9 o o
Cm    10 10 10 8 o o
D    o o o 2 3 o     or    o o o 7 7 o

And don't forget that the middle strings haven't changed so you can play a normal C or Am if you only play those strings.

Glad your giving it a go and I hope you enjoy it.
Cheers
Howard

While Im not KPSHEA,, I also have a 79 Pacemaker.   What a great guitar!

If you are wanting or feel the need to enhance your songs I highly recommend a 12, I have had one since 1967 she is a 1967 Epiphone El Dorado and I use Earthwood Silk and Steel on her and only Earthwood Silk and Steel, I have tried the Martin strings and the DAddario but they just don't have the magic the Earthwood has, Trust me if you want beautiful Chords that is the only way to go as far as I am concerned. oh yeah I have been playing since I was 4 and I am 63 now and I own 20 guitars now 4 acoustic and 16 Electric from a 1941 Rickenbacker Lap steel 7 string not 6 to a doubleneck and a Rickenbacker 360/ 12 whoops there it is. another 12, I also own a 1975 Ovation Balladeer, I have also made 2 other guitars that look like a Strat one 6 string and the other is a 12 whoops there it is again. I have a few guitars, but these are what I play everyday. and if you want FLAT wound they produce the prettiest harmony and stay in tune all the time I found them from some friends at Sweet Water they are at the Best of Rics in New Jersey and they the 12 strings are $36.00 a set. and they put the sets together themselves.

I love 12 strings and play mine all the time I have an Epiphone ElDorado 1200 and I never drop tune the strings I have used now I have used for 30 yrs they are Earthwood Silk & Steelthey are great strings.