12 string guitar ? Wow !

the strings are close together, in pairs of two, if you like ... you play it like a normal guitar... for example, if you wanted to hit a G you'd put your finger on the third fret of the low E string (pressing down on both strings). i think every second string is tuned one half step below the one that preceeds it. (E, Eb, A, Ab, D, ......)

I believe the lower (in pitch, that is) 3 strings are tuned to octaves and the higher (pitch) 3 strings are tuned in unison (i.e. same note/pitch)

It's usually just the top two courses (the E and B strings) that are unison; the other four pairs are in octaves. As vempyre noted, the pairs of strings are set close together, so you fret two at a time with your fingertip.

The neck is a bit wider to accomodate all the strings, so you need a touch more reach for the bass notes. This can make a 12-string something of a strain to play for long periods of time, especially with a lot of barre chords - most 12-string players tune down a whole step (to standard tuning in D) so there isn't as much string tension; they then play with a capo at the second fret.

It's usually just the top two courses (the E and B strings) that are unison; the other four pairs are in octaves. As vempyre noted, the pairs of strings are set close together, so you fret two at a time with your fingertip.

The neck is a bit wider to accomodate all the strings, so you need a touch more reach for the bass notes. This can make a 12-string something of a strain to play for long periods of time, especially with a lot of barre chords - most 12-string players tune down a whole step (to standard tuning in D) so there isn't as much string tension; they then play with a capo at the second fret.

Great idea to tune down!

Thanks for the advice noteboat! :lol:

The neck is a bit wider to accomodate all the strings, so you need a touch more reach for the bass notes. This can make a 12-string something of a strain to play for long periods of time, especially with a lot of barre chords - most 12-string players tune down a whole step (to standard tuning in D) so there isn't as much string tension; they then play with a capo at the second fret.

A good 12-string with light or extra light strings and proper set-up is not that much harder to play than a 6 with mediums, though a bit more reach is required, as NB describes. Unfortunately, as they get older, 12s ofter get harder to play because they tend to suffer from top bellying and bridge lifting, which raise action off the fretboard. Tuning down a half or whole step is pretty important for preventing the bellying and/or lifting, but one may wish to do it with light (not extra light) strings, to preserve a tighter, cleaner tone.

-Greg

twelve strings are fun to play. They do take a bit of practice to get it right, but it's well worth it in the end. And don't sweat the wider neck. I've got small hands, and I can still reach fine on mine.

Thanks for the info. I was curios on how can some people handle that many strings

I play a 12-string. In fact, it was my first electric guitar and I totally love it! The sound is so full and round, it's beautiful! Playing one, though, is not really much different than playing a six string. As someone mentioned, the pairs of strings are quite close together so it's really no problem to cover both strings just as easily as you would a single one. The only real pain in the butt is changing 12 strings!!! :-)

I'll have to agree with the changing thing. On the other hand, tuning can be just as much fun :D

Yep, that's true! Tuning a 12-string takes at least twice as long as tuning a 6-string!! :lol: