12-string?

[Chazmo]

I admit to changing my right hand technique -- such as it is, being the hack that I am -- for 12-string.

Since the strings slope downward toward the bass side (because the narrower strings are on the bass side), I find I straighten the tips of my fingers and "stroke" the strings more than "pluck" them, as I do on a 6-string. The idea (for me) is to touch both strings in each course when I make a note sound.

The 12-string is also more difficult to play cleanly, i.e., such that your left hand fingers are not muting strings they're note supposed to. The 12-string's wider neck helps, but it's still more difficult than 6.

[vintageom]

I have owned several and played many 12 strings over 38 years.

A couple of bits of advice for a newbie to 12 string guitars.

Rule number 1: The action and set up has to be EXCELLENT to make it a pleasure to play and to practice.

Rule number 2: If you violate rule number 1, you will have wasted your money because it will live in its case most of its life with you.

Yes you can struggle with high action and too wide of necks etc, but these conditions do affect your playing and endurance.

[sachi]

Hey, everyone - note that this is a resurrected thread from ELEVEN years ago.

Guitar Pro reopened it to ask this question:

I bought a stagg 12 strings guitar for ***Euro. I have trouble with the G string (The thin one). I am trying to tune it , but the string broke before it gets to F#.
What can I do?

GP, where does the string break? At the nut? The saddle? Or somewhere else? That can give you a clue. If the string breaks at the nut, it may be because the nut slot is too narrow and the string is binding. Either that, or there can be a sharp edge on the nut or the saddle

Tell us more and we'll try to help you out.

[outhawkn]

Originally Posted by Guitarpro2play

I bought a stagg 12 strings guitar for 170Euro. I have trouble with the G string (The thin one). I am trying to tune it , but the string broke before it gets to F#.
What can I do?

Tune your entire guitar down a half step, then capo the first fret when needed....

[steamfurnace]

I own a number of 12 strings as well; 2 Rickenbackers, an Alvarez 5054, Takamine EF381SC, and a newly acquired Guild F412. I currently gig with the Takamine and an acoustic electric 6 string. In a 4 hour gig, 2 1/2 hours are probably played on the 12 string. I love the way it really fills out the sound for a solo acoustic player/singer.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Guitarpro2play

I bought a stagg 12 strings guitar for 170Euro. I have trouble with the G string (The thin one). I am trying to tune it , but the string broke before it gets to F#.
What can I do?

Where is it breaking?

[Rockysdad]

Originally Posted by JLS

Where is it breaking?

Probably figured the situation out as it's from 11 years ago.

[CharlieBman]

If you like the sound of a 12 string, just get one and start playing and making some of those sounds you like. Keep at it and you'll get the idea.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by michaelhalliday

OK, I love the way a 12 string sounds when others play them , but I haven't the faintest idea what to do with one? I can strum a c- chord and a;ll on it, but can't do much more!

I am basically a fingerpicker on a six string and not very good at that!

How do you get "into" a 12-string? Do I need special lessons? Can you fingerpick one of these beasts? Should I be pretty good player before attempting to play a 12-string?

Any thoughts from someone else who has made the transition?

I "lerv" my 12 strings got two both made in the '60s (the time of the great folk scare (!)

I don't finger pick mine I prefer a flat pick style. Whilst I love playing my 6 strings which are no maybe 80-90 % of my repertoire, I find playing 12 strings actually easier to play as you don't need to do so much:

Here are some examples :





This is a chat video about my 12 strings :

[Riakstonic]

Originally Posted by michaelhalliday

OK, I love the way a 12 string sounds when others play them , but I haven't the faintest idea what to do with one? I can strum a c- chord and a;ll on it, but can't do much more!

I am basically a fingerpicker on a six string and not very good at that!

How do you get "into" a 12-string? Do I need special lessons? Can you fingerpick one of these beasts? Should I be pretty good player before attempting to play a 12-string?

Any thoughts from someone else who has made the transition?

As mentioned good action is high on the list to get right . But your kind of jumping in the deep end without knowing how to swim so to say .

You mention your not very good yet . So being comfortable with the guitar will take time multiply that in jumping into 12 strings .

It takes time .

Yes you can finger pick 12 strings jump over to show and tell search for 12 string music . If I have a sound cloud link in my signature which I can’t see on my phone app version there’s a few songs there with the 12 .

Over all a good 12 string guitar with good action (mine are about 1/8” at the 12 th fret ) and practice you will get there but getting better with 6 string should come first but that’s just my opinion. [emoji4]

[TiffanyGuitar]

Originally Posted by Riakstonic

As mentioned good action is high on the list to get right . But your kind of jumping in the deep end without knowing how to swim so to say .

You mention your not very good yet . So being comfortable with the guitar will take time multiply that in jumping into 12 strings .

It takes time .

Yes you can finger pick 12 strings jump over to show and tell search for 12 string music . If I have a sound cloud link in my signature which I can’t see on my phone app version there’s a few songs there with the 12 .

Over all a good 12 string guitar with good action (mine are about 1/8” at the 12 th fret ) and practice you will get there but getting better with 6 string should come first but that’s just my opinion. [emoji4]

I think this is kind of funny - this is a resurrected thread originally from 22 years ago, and as the OP's question is from 22 years ago and he only has 17 posts, so I doubt he will see the answer!!

[egordon99]

Originally Posted by TiffanyGuitar

I think this is kind of funny - this is a resurrected thread originally from 22 years ago, and as the OP's question is from 22 years ago and he only has 17 posts, so I doubt he will see the answer!!

Yes, I'm sure after 22 years, the OP is quite the accomplished player

[Mark Stone]

Originally Posted by egordon99

Yes, I'm sure after 22 years, the OP is quite the accomplished player

I’m curious whether he continued learning 12 string. He hasn’t posted since 03 -

[rstaight]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

I’m curious whether he continued learning 12 string. He hasn’t posted since 03 -

Is he even still around? Not so much as following the forum but walking this earth.

[Riakstonic]

Originally Posted by TiffanyGuitar

I think this is kind of funny - this is a resurrected thread originally from 22 years ago, and as the OP's question is from 22 years ago and he only has 17 posts, so I doubt he will see the answer!!

***** ! Lmao I had no idea . I’m using mobile app in dark mode didn’t see the date that area is blocked by my thumb . Lol

Well I just walk over here a bit and slip out the door . Lol [emoji23]