Do You Tune Down Your 12-string?

[Mandobart]

I remember in the 70's and 80's many 12 string players tuned down a half or whole step and used a capo on the first or second fret.

I wonder if people are still doing that with today's guitars some 40 to 50 years later?

I bought an Ovation 12 string in '82 that I've always kept in standard tuning, with light strings, and have never had any problems with it.

What about others?

[FingahPickah]

I had a couple of 12 strings in the 70's and 80's respectively.. and everyone I knew tuned down (most did a whole step).. it was assumed they couldn't handle the tension. I'm sure many couldn't and I don't recall the option of extra light string sets to reduce tension.

I was attracted to Ovation 12 strings because they could be tuned to standard A440 and sounded great plugged-in, but I could never get comfortable with the "bowl" back.

In 1987, I bought a new Guild JF65-12 - it's been tuned to pitch with regular light gauge strings (.010 - .047) ever since and gigged countless times.

[12FanMan]

I leave my 12 at standard tuning, but not because I know much about the issue. Rather, I'm doing it because the guy who set it up recommended it. So far, so good..but I've only had it since December.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I remember in the 70's and 80's many 12 string players tuned down a half or whole step and used a capo on the first or second fret.

I wonder if people are still doing that with today's guitars some 40 to 50 years later?

I bought an Ovation 12 string in '82 that I've always kept in standard tuning, with light strings, and have never had any problems with it.

What about others?

Hi Mandobart
I've owned various 12 strings over the decades, and never tuned down. I always played them with others, and capos for 12s were not well made for them, plus they were a hassle.

[stephenT]

I've re-glued the bridge twice on my Pono 00 sized 12 string. Second time is the charm. I now tune down a whole step and capo on the second fret.

Once I started tuning down, the Pono had that 12 string sound that I fell in love with years ago. I like the strings a bit looser.

[Glennwillow]

I tune my 12-string at standard concert pitch, but I use the correct strings for this tuning so that the stress on the neck and body is within acceptable limits.

I like the sound of a standard tuned 12-string. I played a 12-string tuned to C or C# for years in my younger days and got tired of that "down-in-the-basement" sound. I like Leo Kottke's playing and compositions, but I don't care for his low-tuned sound. When I heard Paul Simon play "For Emily ..." and I heard what a standard tuned Guild 12-string sounded like, I knew this was where I was headed.

My Guild F212, being kept over at my son's house these days, was built in 1972, so it's 52 years old, and it's never had a neck reset and it's been in standard tuning all its life.

- Glenn

[CharlieBman]

Standard tuning on any 12 string I've ever owned. Never liked the sound or feel of tuning down on any guitar.

[brad4d8]

My '64 F212 has been in standard its whole life, and for much of that time with medium strings. It did get a neck reset about 10 years ago, but that's not unusual for any guitar after 50 years. I have kept lights on it since, but I think I'm going back to mediums next string change, just like it better, especially with a wound string for the octave "A" string. F512 is fine with lights and standard pitch.

[difalkner]

Bought a Guild F-512 in 1975 and it has been tuned to standard A440 from day one. I use 12-53 and no issues, it's a Guild 12-string, after all.

[6L6]

My '71 Guild F-312NT has been at concert pitch its entire life and never moved at all. Strung with Light gauge PB strings.

[martingitdave]

You don’t have to with many new well made 12 string guitars. I still tune down a 1/2 step because it gives me one guitar to pick a few tunes in F# from G shapes. Or I can give my voice a little break.

[L20A]

All of my guitars get tuned down 1/2 step these days.
For me this is now a win/win.

It helps lower tension on the guitar and my voice has gotten lower over they last 72 years.

It took a year or so for my ear to accept the D# tuning.
Now I prefer it over standard E tuning.

[Guitars44me]

I play solo 99% of the time. Usually unamplifed, with zero electronics of any kind

I have been tuning to D concert (down one whole step) for 30 years, as it suits my voice and left hand too! I tune all my guitars down.

If I want to play with others in standard tuning I capo II.

And, my LKSM 12 is down to C. I really love the whomp!

Also, my Jack Stepick Baritone Weissenborn is down to A. Yikes

Everyone play what works for YOU and have FUN

Paul

[arwhite]

I've tried tuning down 1/2 step but don't like the sound and feel of it. I do leave my 12 string tuned down 1/2 step when I'm not playing it since I don't play it very often.

[Silly Moustache]

I tune down one tone to D.
I don't do this for any other reason that it makes my 12 strings sound better and offer a dynamic different sound to my six strings for my audience.