Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

How To Tune A 12 String Acoustic

  • 27-04-2012 09:24PM
    #1
    dm2k12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭


    Hi guys thinking of getting a 12 string acoustic and was wondering if i could use a normal 6 string guitar to tune it?
    Thanks,
    dm2k12
    :D:)


Comments

  • #2
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    dm2k12 wrote: »
    Hi guys thinking of getting a 12 string acoustic and was wondering if i could use a normal 6 string guitar to tune it?
    Thanks,
    dm2k12
    :D:)

    A twelve string is tuned the same as a 6 string guitar. The strings are in 6 pairs, and each pair are generally tuned an octave apart, so they're the same note.

    So yes, you could use a 6 string guitar to tune it. :)


  • #3
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭JonathanAnon


    Alanstrainor wrote: »
    So yes, you could use a 6 string guitar to tune it. :)

    You could tune it EADGBEEADGBE just to see how it would sound.. :pac:


  • #4
    dm2k12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭dm2k12


    JonathanAnon wrote: »
    You could tune it EADGBEEADGBE just to see how it would sound.. :pac:

    haaha i know enough not to do that :p but it could sound good but im not going to try it :)


  • #5
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭JonathanAnon


    Just a bit of serious advice on a twelve string... I used to share a house with a guy who owned a twelve string. While they do sound lovely for playing "hole hearted" by Extreme and anything by the Byrds.. you should think about the following..

    - double the tuning and string "administration" in general.
    - double the cost of strings.
    - harder on your fingers.
    - not practical to do fingerstyle, or melody patterns / riffs. really only for strumming chords. This can be limiting.

    Unless you have a serious grá for the twelve string and are gonna give it serious use..


  • #6
    dm2k12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭dm2k12


    JonathanAnon wrote: »
    Just a bit of serious advice on a twelve string... I used to share a house with a guy who owned a twelve string. While they do sound lovely for playing "hole hearted" by Extreme and anything by the Byrds.. you should think about the following..

    - double the tuning and string "administration" in general.
    - double the cost of strings.
    - harder on your fingers.
    - not practical to do fingerstyle, or melody patterns / riffs. really only for strumming chords. This can be limiting.

    Unless you have a serious grá for the twelve string and are gonna give it serious use..

    i guess so thanks for the info got a 6 string instead a hudson hi100e electro acoustic :D


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Meehanmeehan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 ✭Meehanmeehan


    Buy a double neck, you can get one on adverts for less than €200


  • #8
    dm2k12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭dm2k12


    Meehanmeehan wrote: »
    Buy a double neck, you can get one on adverts for less than €200

    good idea but i got a 6 string semi acoustic instead i got a hudson HI-100E and i love it:)


  • #9
    sarkozy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,476 ✭✭✭sarkozy


    JonathanAnon wrote: »
    Just a bit of serious advice on a twelve string... I used to share a house with a guy who owned a twelve string. While they do sound lovely for playing "hole hearted" by Extreme and anything by the Byrds.. you should think about the following..

    - double the tuning and string "administration" in general.
    - double the cost of strings.
    - harder on your fingers.
    - not practical to do fingerstyle, or melody patterns / riffs. really only for strumming chords. This can be limiting.

    Unless you have a serious grá for the twelve string and are gonna give it serious use..
    Not sure about that. Leo Kottke and James Blackshaw play fingerstyle on 12-strings.


  • #10
    martinedwards
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭martinedwards


    I really dont understand the dismissal of 12 strings.

    I'll ALWAYS have one in my stable of instruments and I've never had tuning issues.

    I had a yamaha FG 420 12 for nearly 20 years and it was always good to go straight from the case.


  • #11
    dm2k12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭dm2k12


    yeah that sounds like a lovely guitar i recently got a tanglewood tw-28/12 cln cedar top mahogany back and sides bound with maple :)


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    omen80
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭omen80


    dm2k12 wrote: »
    good idea but i got a 6 string semi acoustic instead i got a hudson HI-100E and i love it:)
    What you bought is not a semi-acoustic. It's an electro-acoustic. A semi-acoustic is a completely different type of guitar.


  • #13
    dm2k12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭dm2k12


    omen80 wrote: »
    What you bought is not a semi-acoustic. It's an electro-acoustic. A semi-acoustic is a completely different type of guitar.

    o yeah didnt think of that a semi- acoustic would be an es335


  • #14
    Banjo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,485 ✭✭✭✭Banjo


    If ever you want that sort of ethereal 12 string sound on a recording you could cheat and doubletrack with a Nashville tuned 6 string (you replace the standard EA, EAD or EADG strings with their 12-string set upper octave partners). I don't think it sounds right on it's own but if you're looking for a nominee for Best Guitar In a Supporting Role, this tuning is Dame Judi Dench.


Advertisement