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28 Mar 01 - 09:46 PM (#428036) Subject: HELP! How to tune a 12 String guitar From: GUEST,Ophelia Somebody please help me! I was recently given a 12 string guitar but have no idea of what to tune the little (thin, 2nd) strings to. I am a 6 string, bedroom strummer who needs help. Do you play it just like a 6 string with your finger covering both strings to get the note/chord? Some advice(in simple terms) would be greatly appreciated. Yours in confusion, Ophelia |
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28 Mar 01 - 09:55 PM (#428039) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Bugsy They'll have to be simple terms because those are the only ones I Know! Yes you do play it just like a 6 string, just as you said. As far as the tuning goes. The basic tuning is the same as for a 6 string (EADGBE). The bottom pair of E (bass) strings are tuned in octaces. So are the A and D strings. The remainder (GB&E) are tuned the same. Hope this makes sense, and good luck! Cheers Bugsy |
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28 Mar 01 - 09:58 PM (#428040) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Bugsy When I said GB&E are tuned the same, I didn't mean the same as the bass strings, I meant both G's to the same pitch, Both B's to the same pitch and both E's to the same pitch. (But you knew that anyway didn't you) CHeers Bugsy |
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28 Mar 01 - 09:58 PM (#428041) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Allan C. Yes, your instincts are correct. You treat it more or less the same as a six string. You can pretend that the pairs are like a single string on a regular guitar. The sixth, fifth, fourth and third pairs are tuned in octaves. The second and first pairs are unison. You can get into the fancy stuff later on. |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:02 PM (#428043) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Allan C. Bugsy, you might have your third pair in unison but I believe that the way they are usually strung "off the shelf" is with the G strings in octaves. |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:06 PM (#428045) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Allan C. Let's simplify this, Ophelia. If one of the pair of third strings is a "wound" string and the other one is just plain wire, then they should be tuned in octaves. If they are both the same, tune them in unison. |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:06 PM (#428046) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Bugsy By Jove! You're Right Allan! CHeers Bugsy |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:08 PM (#428047) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Allan C. It happens, Bugsy, but not often. |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:25 PM (#428049) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: catspaw49 I don't know what kind of 12 you have, but many of us keep them tuned down a step or a step and a half. It helps to relieve some pressure on the neck. Although many are built to be tunes to pitch, they sound better tunes down also. Use a good capo on the second fret (or third if you go down a step and a half). That's really not to complicated is it??(:<)) Here are some past threads that might be useful where we talk about 12's and the tuning and argue a lot, but the info is good and useful as you progress: Spaw |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:27 PM (#428053) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: catspaw49 tuned down, not tunes down........sorry.....gotta' pruuffreed mor Spaw |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:40 PM (#428063) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Big Mick As the owner of a 35 year old 12 string, I would also advise that you never use a heavier gauge string than a light. We could argue all day as to brand, but Martin Marquis or D'Addario are good sounding and last a reasonable amount of time. As has been said, for entry level players, tune the 1st and 2nd, and the 3rd and 4th in unison. The remaining pairs should be tuned an octave apart. Strictly speaking, Allan C's post on whether one is wound and the other isn't, isn't correct as on many sets the 9th and 10th, and the 11th and 12th are both wound but still should be an octave apart. And just in case you are unfamiliar with the numbering of strings, the highest sounding string is number 1 and as the tone gets lower the string gets higher. Hence, on a 12 string, the string closest to your waist is 1 and the string closest to your chin is 12. Good luck. These are great instruments. Start by playing it like your six, but you will find that you might have to play in different keys than you would on a six due to the octave strings. As you become familiar with it, start to experiment with different playing styles and tunings. All the best, Big Mick |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:58 PM (#428081) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Allan C. I agree, Mick, about the light gauge. But on the other thing, I was speaking of the third pair only. |
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28 Mar 01 - 10:58 PM (#428082) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,Ophelia Thanks guys, I will try the suggested tuning. Had a quick cruise through the other threads (I am at work so can't be too long) and there seemed to be some discussion over whether to tune down and how far. I have a washburn, I think it is a good one, not exactly sure, it is in pristine condition anyway. Doesn't seem to be very old either. Can Washburn's take the regular tuning or should I take it down. And if I take it down what should the 12th string be (what note)? Can you get cappos that work as well on 6 and 12 strings or should I get a different one for the 12? On my six I am constantly cappo-ing to get a higher key (have a highish voice). Thanks again guys, Less confused |
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28 Mar 01 - 11:09 PM (#428089) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: catspaw49 Do yourself a favor and tune down Ophelia. Get a decent 12 string capo. The E pair now tunes to D, the A pair to G, the D pair to C, etc. Some will say that a "good 12" can be tuned to pitch, but classically they are tuned down a step to a step and a half. Spaw |
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29 Mar 01 - 01:46 AM (#428140) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,Ophelia Thanks Spaw. |
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29 Mar 01 - 03:25 AM (#428167) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: P Mitchell@work Good luck with the 12 string. I use mine all the time and really enjoy the feel of the thing as you play. All that vibration through the body..... lovely. Yet another advantage of dropping the tuning is that some stuff becomes easier to play and to reach if you have small hands, like what I do. Paul. |
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27 Oct 04 - 02:00 PM (#1308843) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST |
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27 Oct 04 - 03:13 PM (#1308883) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: red_clay Step right up! sit right down!!!! baby let your mind roll on!!!! |
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28 May 06 - 01:27 PM (#1749087) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,stiffleriii26@yahoo.com what are the letters of the strings for tuning a twelve string I know its lower than a six string |
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28 May 06 - 01:37 PM (#1749090) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Big Mick Nope, the "letters" are the same, it is the gauges that differs. One can tune lower if they choose, some awfully good players do. |
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28 May 06 - 02:23 PM (#1749108) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: John MacKenzie Works well if you tune all the strings down 2 steps, e.g. make your top and bottom strings C instead of E, you get more of a 12 string type jangle that way. Mind you you need to be able to transpose keys, especially if you are playing with other people. Giok |
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28 May 06 - 07:13 PM (#1749269) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Peace Tuning a 12-string guitar. '12-string Acoustic Guitar Strings. Made by D'Addario. (MC.EJ39-3SETS) Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar strings are acclaimed worldwide for their great, long-lasting tone. Phosphor Bronze was introduced to string making by D'Addario in 1974 and has become synonymous with warm acoustic tone.' Gauges:12-12-16-16-25-10-32-14-42-20-52-30. |
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29 May 06 - 09:35 AM (#1749390) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: paddymac A twelve-string player gave me a good tuning tip for my hammered dulcimer, which he called the "shimmer effect." One string in each pair is tuned correctly, and the other about 5 cents flat. The result is a harmonic mix that creates notes that are not actually played, giving a much fuller and richer sound. A piano-tuner uncle of a lovely local barmaid expanded the technique for me by emphasizing that the first or dominant string in a pair should be tuned correctly, and the other a bit off. I'm familiar with undertones and overtones in choral singing (especially in the "Barbershop" tradition), but I'm not sure whether that's the correct terminology when discussing stringed instruments. |
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29 May 06 - 10:16 AM (#1749410) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Peace Bob Gibson could do tunings with his 12-string that could make an angel cry. Beautiful and exciting sound. |
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29 May 06 - 10:26 AM (#1749414) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: The Fooles Troupe When tuning my hammered dulcimer, I found that attempting to 'spread tune' it as mentioned above, caused the thig to go out of tune more often. By tuning it so that the same pitch parallel strings were in good resonance, it tended to stay in tune longer, and was far more resonant and louder in volume. |
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29 May 06 - 02:27 PM (#1749537) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Peter T. Didn't Leadbelly have his 12-string tuned all the way down to a Bb? yours, Peter T. |
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29 May 06 - 05:02 PM (#1749601) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Big Al Whittle Threaten it with violence, shake your fist at it. It's alright, it is inanimate and it can't hear you. tell it if it doesn't get in tune quickly, you won't take it out, there will be no outings - not even at Christmas, and a dim view will be taken. |
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29 May 06 - 06:28 PM (#1749665) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,Rev If I remember my "tuning and temperament" class, the detuned pairs of strings don't actually create overtones, but they do create what's called "beating." When the strings are just slightly out of tune with each other, the sound waves go out of phase which creates a pulsing or "shimmering" effect. Detuned pairs of instruments are also an important aspect of the tuning of Indonesian gamelans, one of the things that gives that music its distinctive shimmer. Piano tuners are trained to count the number of beats they hear, which is how they can adjust the piano's equal temperament (if a piano was tuned to a natural or "just" intonation you would hear no beating, but it would only sound "in tune" in certain keys) |
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30 May 06 - 11:12 AM (#1750072) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,chris I suggest that you use 'coated' strings something like 'Elixirs' as they last longer 'cos the biggest pain with a 12 string is changing the strings ( i know that Elixirs sell 12 string sets)not sure if thats how you spell 'Elixirs?????) chris |
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30 May 06 - 04:56 PM (#1750244) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,Dan Schatz at the office I have known folks who went out and got _very_ light gauge strings to create octaves on all six courses. It was a nice effect, though I haven't tried it myself. I now keep my Apollonio 12 tuned 4 frets below normal - the power of the instrument is incredible! Not every instrument will respond well to the same tuning, though - in my experience some guitars have "sweet spots," and the only way to figure out yours is to experiment. Personally I'm not fond of the Elixers, except on certain instruments. They just seem to sacrifice too much tone. Once you get the hang of it and own a good string winder, you may find that changing strings on the 12 is as easy or easier than the six. I find that having the other string on the course right there gives me a lot more speed and confidence in bringing the string I'm putting on up to pitch. Enjoy your new instrument! Dan Schatz |
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30 May 06 - 06:54 PM (#1750306) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: SharonA Just to answer Ophelia's other question: Yes, Washburn makes very good guitars!! Of course, some models are "higher-end" (made with better woods, etc.) than others, which is true of any guitar manufacturer. What model number do you have, Ophelia? Sharon (proud owner of a Martin J-40 12-string, among other instruments) |
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31 May 06 - 01:00 PM (#1750663) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: s&r Reed instuments can be ordered with tremelo tuning (reeds tuned to nominally the same note beat) or dry tuning ( the notes are identically tuned so no beat) The Echo harp is tremelo tuned; blues harps aren't (they're single reeds anyway) Pianos have extra tuning problems, other than Just, Tempered, Pythagorean etc. The low strings produce harmonics that are not an exact multiple of the fundamental (because they aren't a 'perfect' string. This would produce unpleasant beats with higher octaves. To minimise this, the low strings are tuned flat, and the high strings are tuned sharp (stretched tuning). Stu |
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31 May 06 - 10:43 PM (#1750936) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: GUEST,guest I always heard that to tune a 12 string, you find the string that is out and tune the other 11 to it. |
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31 May 06 - 10:47 PM (#1750938) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Peace It's NOT a good thing to try tuning a 12-string after a few, uh, self-rolled 'cigarettes'. A friend did that once and he told me all about it--after he was released. |
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31 May 06 - 11:05 PM (#1750945) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: M.Ted Guest, Guest's tuning system works everytime, just as long as you remember to tune the eleven strings to the one that was out--when you try to tune them to each other, that's when the trouble starts. |
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31 May 06 - 11:10 PM (#1750947) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: Peace LOL. That's where it started for my friend, too. |
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01 Jun 06 - 05:16 PM (#1751281) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: rock chick Having just bought a Simon and Patrick 12 string thought I would re fresh this one. rc |
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01 Jun 06 - 07:03 PM (#1751338) Subject: RE: HELP! How to tune a 12 String From: HiHo_Silver For the Basic 12 string Guitar Tuning visit this site. See and listen. You will not go wrong for a start: http://www.get-tuned.com/12_string_guitar_tuner.php. Good light gauge strings. |