Tuning a 12 string?

Subject: RE: Tuning a 12 string?
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:31 AM

Sorry.

I meant newtons.

Subject: RE: Tuning a 12 string?
From: mandotim
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 05:02 AM

Feeding the drift, I know, but Bill Monroe used a harmony tuning on mandolin for 'Get Up John'. Major thirds, I think, but not on all the strings.
Back to twelve strings; I have one and a half 12 strings. The one is a very early Seagull; I use D'Addario light gauge strings on this, and tune it to concert, and occasionally DADGAD. This gives a good action and excellent intonation. I tried tuning it down, but the action felt 'floppy'. The half is one half of a 1975 Rob Armstrong 12/6 doubleneck; due to the age and value of the instrument, I tune this one down two semitones, and use Elixir light/medium hybrid strings (saves having to change them so often, always a pain on 18-string guitars!). This has had an unexpected benefit over Christmas. Mant of the carols I've been playing are sung in F; not normally the nicest key for guitar, but the 12 makes it easy; just play the simple key of G shapes. I tune the six string neck to concert, or dropped D.
Tim

Subject: RE: Tuning a 12 string?
From: mandotim
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 08:59 AM

Er... that should read 'many of the carols'...
Tim

Subject: RE: Tuning a 12 string?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 07:25 PM

So how would that work out with all these perfect 5ths.

What would the actual separate name of the notes be, using such a tuning?
(for those of us who don't trust themselves to count backwards!)

Subject: RE: Tuning a 12 string?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 10:32 PM

Interesting, mandotim - I just now found this on a site about mandolin tunings:

"Split open D f#/a d' a' a'/d'' This is an interesting variant where the two strings of the outer string pairs are tuned to different pitches. Apparently Bill Monroe used this tuning occasionally."

Subject: RE: Tuning a 12 string?
From: Bernard
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 07:32 AM

As this thread has bounced back to the top... just to update, my trusty old Yamaha FG260 is still tuned in concert pitch, and is sounding better than ever. No signs of any distortion in the woodwork, and I still hammer it hard!!

I recently acquired a second hand Burns Double 6 electric 12-string, which is lovely! In case anyone doesn't know the instrument, it's the one the Searchers used for 'When You Walk In The Room' and also the one Hank Marvin played on Cliff's 'On The Beach'. Mine isn't an original, though... I think it's one of the more recent Korean made ones. It looks, feels and sounds right, which is what really matters.