wardog Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 sorry for posting in electric, but no one is in acoustic.!!!! ok, got a surprise from an old friend. a 12-string takamine acoustic! Excited yes, but, i have never played one and do not know how to tune one. It was in a hard case with orginal manufactor card and warrenty. 1986. really cool and seems to be in great shape. i will let it breath out of case and will need to replace strings. So, how do i tune one. can i use eclectronic tuner like 6 string? which strings get tuned first, odd number or even? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vomer Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 How do you tune a 12 string? Nobody knows! =D>/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Just like a regular guitar.... The low E, A and D (secondary strings) are tuned an octave higher.... The G, B and E strings are tuned in unison with each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardog Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 thanks duane. i will give it a try after the giants win over the eagles. need to go to local gc to get strings. any recommendation on which brand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 The G's are an octive apart. My personal favorites for acoustic are Martins...(10s)....not as bright as as heavier strings but less tension on the neck. Been using them on my Guild for 35 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 The G's are an octive apart. yes they are traditionally..... but don't like the tone of bar chords beyong the 5th fret... I like keeping the g-string in unison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Duane, Makes sense...Actually I play an 11 string for the same reason. I never put the other G on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 The High E and B strings are in unison...all others are an octave apart...in "standard" tuning. Use light guage strings, too! If you're going to use heavier strings, tune down at least 1 full step, or more, and capo up to concert pitch. With light guage strings, you'll be able to tune to concert pitch, right off. Also FYI, acoustic 12-strings are usually strung with higher octave string to the outside, and some electrics are done that way, as well. Rickenbacker's are strung so the lower (normal, non-octave) strings are to the outside...therefore struck first, on the normal down stroke. You cannot change the configuration, without changing the nut! Just in case you were curious? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardog Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 The High E and B strings are in unison...all others are an octave apart...in "standard" tuning. Use light guage strings' date=' too! If you're going to use heavier strings, tune down at least 1 full step, or more, and capo up to concert pitch. With light guage strings, you'll be able to tune to concert pitch, right off. Also FYI, acoustic 12-strings are usually strung with higher octave string to the outside, and some electrics are done that way, as well. Rickenbacker's are strung so the lower (normal, non-octave) strings are to the outside...therefor struck first, on the normal down stroke. You cannot change the configuration, without changing the nut! Just in case you were curious? CB[/quote'] OK, i am lost. so, i tune what!!!! for the newbie i am what is the easiest tuning for 12 string . i would like standard tuning since i am still learning on a 6 string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Tune the regular (non octave) stings, the same way you tune a 6-string! Then tune the octave stings from the low E to the G string (1 octave higher), then the B and high E strings in unison! That's "standard" 12-string tuning. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 people do post in the acoustic room...but they won't if acoustic questions get posted here! anyway...I have always tuned my AJ-18S-12 LH EADGBE starting with the standard strings and then moving to the octaves..always sounded great...however, I just recently started tuning D#G#C#F#A#D# and I really like the sound and playability... AJ-18S-12 LH: purchased off ebay for $225 with a nice beat-up but solid case...the last two I saw on went for over $500! previously owned by a member of the Outlaws...nice low action, great tone and projection... Your guitar was made at the Zaozhuang Saehan, China May 1998 Production Number: 7042 Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd. This company has been around for 40 years and specialize in acoustic guitars. The have factories in Korea and China. http://www.elderly.com/items/26U-1263.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 to follow up on the Ric comment, I did some research on McGuinn's guitars and discovered that although his electric Rics have always been strung the "Ric"way, his acoustic Martins have always been strung the "traditional"way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 You can tune a guitar, but you can't tuna fish. OK, you suffered through that humor, here's a tip on 12-string tuning: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page4790.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Yeah, but lets get Wardog used to "standard" tuning, first...then he can "experiment?" LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 to follow up on the Ric comment' date=' I did some research on McGuinn's guitars and discovered that although his electric Rics have always been strung the "Ric"way, his acoustic Martins have always been strung the "traditional"way...[/quote'] Correct! And, it makes sense, really. His Rickenbacker "stuff" was always a bit more "lead" oriented, as he had various other guitarists to do fill in rhythm stuff..(granted, they changed off, between lead work, quite often)...but, with his acoustic sets, which are usually "solo," and a bit more of an accompaniment duty, the traditional stringing of his Martin works better, that way...IMHO. He does, of course, do some "leads" with the Martin 12, and his 7 string Martin, too. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Wardog, Just out of curiosity. I have never had a Takamine. If you get a chance remove the TRC. Does it have a single truss rod or dual? (2) I know mine has two. Do they all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardog Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 thanks dubstar and sorry for not posting in acoustic. at the time only a guest was in acoustic. I may wait on strings and have her check out. i feel i sight hump just south of the bridge. not sure if it is a structural issue. any idea's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 How about this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Norm Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 any recommendation on which brand? Because they last longer and it's a mess to change strings on a 12 strings, I always put some ELIXIR polyweb 10-47. With those, it will be a few months before you change strings and with that gauge, you can tune standard, like your 6 strings guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Because they last longer and it's a mess to change strings on a 12 strings' date=' I always put some ELIXIR polyweb 10-47. With those, it will be a few months before you change strings and with that gauge, you can tune standard, like your 6 strings guitar.[/quote'] Yep...same strings I use, too...Norm! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milospilo Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Just to stick my nose in. Ever since I first heard Taj Mahals 'Giant Step/De Old Folks' album, I have always tuned my 12 strings down to at least D if not lower. Taj has it down to C on some songs. Gives a 12 that great Ledbeally/Blind Willie McTell sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 yes they are traditionally..... but don't like the tone of bar chords beyong the 5th fret... I like keeping the g-string in unison Then you can forget about playing the intro to Mr. Tambourine Man correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardog Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 Wardog' date='Just out of curiosity. I have never had a Takamine. If you get a chance remove the TRC. Does it have a single truss rod or dual? (2) I know mine has two. Do they all?[/quote'] no trc. tr accessable threw soundhole. only one. i read a briek note online about the f-389 having the lawsuit headstock. u know anything about that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmon99 Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 an old trick we used to use to destress the neck was to tune it down a half step and then capo the first fret to bring it back...........got some pretty cool tones out of it this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doth Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 people do post in the acoustic room...but they won't if acoustic questions get posted here! anyway...I have always tuned my AJ-18S-12 LH EADGBE starting with the standard strings and then moving to the octaves..always sounded great...however' date=' I just recently started tuning D#G#C#F#A#D# and I really like the sound and playability... AJ-18S-12 LH: [img']http://homepage.mac.com/dubstar/.Pictures/guitars/AJ18S12LH.jpg[/img] purchased off ebay for $225 with a nice beat-up but solid case...the last two I saw on went for over $500! previously owned by a member of the Outlaws...nice low action, great tone and projection... Your guitar was made at the Zaozhuang Saehan, China May 1998 Production Number: 7042 Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd. This company has been around for 40 years and specialize in acoustic guitars. The have factories in Korea and China. http://www.elderly.com/items/26U-1263.htm Dubstar, I had started typing saying you have your 12 string strung completely wrong until I realized you were left handed. I was so busy looking at the strings, I missed the pick guard! Nice Guitar by the way. I have played a 12 string for many, many years. My current one is an Ovation Legacy LX. Very fine guitar. and I have always Tuned in this way (starting with the lowest sounding pair): E - Octave and E, A - Octave, and A, D - Octave, and D, G Octave and G, B - Unison and B, E Unison and E. I have always used D'Addario strings for the 12 string as Ovations have a unique bridge that that doesn't require string pegs. The strings run through the bridge and you can see the ball ends. D'Addario's are color coded to the string pair. Restringing a 12 string is always a female dog, as I it can be easy to mix up the strings so the color ends help an old man like me keep things straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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