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Location: Reno, NV | Is a 12 string played the same as a 6 string? If so ,what are the advantages or disadvantages of 12 strings? Since the 12 strings have that nice harmonic tone, why aren't they used more often? |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Hi, Yak. 12-strings are generally used as "chord machines", for rhythm playing. Of course, there are many exceptions(Leo Kottke being the first to come to mind), but 12-strings tend to be used for backing, and not for lead.
This is because a 12-string is much more difficult to pick notes on than a 6-string....it requires greater effort to pick 2 strings at once to play a note, compared to one.
Roger |
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Location: East Tennessee | Yak,
Roger is right.
But don't tell Glen Campbell. I've seen him play the "William Tell Overture" and a cool Beach Boys Medley using a 12 string. But he is the exception rather than the rule. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | A lot of the problem is the fact that it is harder, physically, to bend notes (which most lead players do) and nearly impossible to bend the double strings together and be in tune, particularly the wound/unwound sets.
Wayne |
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Location: Wooster, Ohio | The twelve can pump up a chorus. I have a acoustic doubleneck and it is fun to use both necks in one song.
Steve |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | A lot of folks think a twelve string is harder to play than a 6 string. A well setup 12 is very easy to play. My 12 string is among the easiest playing guitars... |
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Location: Paris/France | My Adamas 12 strings is so easy to play and it sounds so great!!
I'm learning to play with the 12 strings separately but it's not easy.
I've had the real privilege to meet a great 12 strings guitar player 3 months ago.
His name is Michel Gentils and he gave me some advice for beginners.
In the past, he has learned with Leo Kottke and after 30 years all around the world, he's now one of the best.
Here's a link to his website:
MICHEL GENTILS WEBSITE
Michel is a great guitar player but also a very nice guy!!
J :) |
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| Some of Pat Metheny's early work featured 12-string with some alternate tunings |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Not to mention Roger McGuinn with his Rickenbacker 12.
A few excerpts of his lead solos with The Byrds:
Click here |
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Location: Michigan | Someone tell me how to play the David Crosby version of Guinnevere.I think that he has changed the tunning of his 12 string for the song.GWB |
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Location: Canada | Well as a new owner of a Glen Campbell 12, I will attest to the harder play of a 12. My left hand is on fire from holding down chords up the neck but I'll get used to it - low action is an absolute necessity.
I do play an electric XII (VOX) but the action is so low on it that there's little difference between it and a 6 string, other than that it's easier to flub notes and, yes, bends aren't easy (Though the aforementioned Roger McGuinn could do it - you can hear him bending on The Byrds' classic 'Why?'
I don't think 12s are as common as 6s simply because they are, overall, less versatile and practical. It takes 10 years to tune one too!
The rewards are there though. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | I'd have to say it's NOT harder, especially with a PROPERLY set up Ovation 12, to finger the chords. The problem is in the fingerpicking and, for beginners, the strumming.
As to why it's not used more, sometimes it's just TOO MUCH sound.
I'd have to add Melissa Etheridge to that list of Ovation 12 players, lest ye forget. :)
For the record, if I can have only 1 guitar, it has to be a 6-string, but if I've ANY say in the matter, the other one is an Ovation 12. |
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Location: Wooster, Ohio | "Crosby version of Guinnevere" I loved this song from my college days and never thought I could approach it. Frets magizine years ago did an interview with David and they gave the tuning and tablature. I learned it and said cool and never played it again. Send me an email and if I ever find the mag I can send you a copy. By the way that song is on a six not a 12. I have played 12 and 6 back and forth over the years. I like both but I feel that a six fits more songs. A 12 on the right song is awesome.
Steve
Steve |
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Location: Canada | Originally posted by JT:
I'd have to say it's NOT harder, especially with a PROPERLY set up Ovation 12, to finger the chords. The problem is in the fingerpicking and, for beginners, the strumming.
Are you sure that's not just because you're used to it? My 12s are properly set up but I find that you do require that extra effort to pin down two strings as opposed to one. You're dealing with two strings' tension, after all. Sometimes the ocatve string isn't properly fretted or your other fingers rub, muting the note.
I mean it's not way harder but for someone who predominantly has played 6 strings all the time, it does take some adjusting. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Playing straight chords is as easy or easier on my 12 as on any of my 6's. Ligther strings and a spot on set-up. Plays like butter...
(thanks, Chris ;) ) |
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Location: Snellville, GA | String gauge is the key. I use .010-.047's. Tune down 4 half steps to C F Bb Eb G C and The Wedding Song is quite easy to finger pick. |
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Location: Wooster, Ohio | Jeff is right setup of a twelve is crucial. Given there is naturally more sound, I think you can bring the string height down to as close as possible. I was reading the string heights from the major guitar companies. I know one said they have they twelves lower than their sixs. I tune down one half step.
Steve |
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| Not all 12 string guitars are able to tune down 4 half notes to C My Adamas seems to sound fantastic tuned down one whole note to D. Lots of songs actually played in this tuning as well. Neil Young plays a lot of his stuff in this tuning with the bass string dropped to C. And yes the strings are much easier on the hands if your strumming through chord after chord during a song. You can just use a capo to take it back to the E tuning two frets up..... and the strings are still easier to play. You just can't use the marker dots the same anymore. Try it you'll like it.
Randy |
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Location: Moscow | I agree with all of you who said it's not a big difference in action between 6 and 12 strings. I used to play 12-strings guitars and I wouldn't say they can be used only for backing :) |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | My 1537 is at the moment "loaded" with Thomastik, gauge 13-57 , my 1618 Glen C is strung with Martin ,gauge 10-47 ,the 1537 is the toughest one to work with that "hefty" size :rolleyes: ...and next I`ll mount "Silk & steel`s" (gauge 11-47) on the 1618 Glen C..they`re lower in tension,easier to play,U might want to try those on your 12 ,next time U change strings,try and look at D`addario`s website ,check `em out.. ;)
:cool:
Vic |
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Location: Warren, OH | I played a Alvarez Yairi 12 (DY76) for the last 20 years or so. I think my 2005 Collectors is harder on my fingers - but the Collectors is set up with .012's versus .008's on the 12-string.
They both have their moments, but the 12-string does take a fair amount of time to tune... |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think when you discuss 12 string guitars you really need to differentiate between Ovations and other(inferior) models. I spent a couple of years comparing 12-string guitars, and I quickly discovered that the upper-end model Os play so much better than all the others. If you haven't had the opportunity to do so, and you are contemplating a 12-string purchase, you really need to sit down and compare and Ovation to other brands.
With that said, (and probably aready known by many of you) I really like the the additional options offered by a 12. When ever I end up being the only instrument in leading our church worship, it really fills all the voids, and with a deep bowl it really puts the volume out. When I am able to sit back and play 2nd guitar, there are all kinds of picking techniques to play around with. Sometimes I can even get a nice mach-mandolin sound high up on the neck. When I purchased my "used" Custom Legend, the previous owner had it set up really low, which makes finger picking really easy also. I think a good 12-string is an essential guitar for your arsenal. (you may want to mention that to your wives:) |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | OH Yeah ... back to the original question (sorry about the rabbit trail), I think with light gage strings, a low setup, and a little extra practice time, you won't find much difficulty in playing a 12 string. It's not necessarily harder, just different. |
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Is a 12 string played the same as a 6?
