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Location: Troutdale oregon | I have a 6756lx 12 string.Do any of the 12 string owners here tune yours down a step to relieve stress on the neck or do you just leave it in standard tuning.I know ovations are built very well and have excellent necks.
Love to here from any of you on this subject,trying to decided how i want to keep my guitar tuned.
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Posts: 2303
Location: Lake Forest, CA | I've always tuned my 12-strings down a step, and for the very reason you state.
I tried tuning my 1655 to concert tuning and after a while I noticed the belly started to bulge, so I tuned it back down a step. |
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Location: Troutdale oregon | THANKS
I think i may do the same |
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Location: Muenster/Germany | The older the guitar, the deeper I tune it. I use 1/2 step on the Adamas, and on the parlor, and 1 step on the old Custom Legend. All my other 12string guitars are 1/2 step down except for a Blueridge Jumbo, 1 step; some guitars really love that, not all. If I had an old 12string from the 20´s I would tune it down to C sharp.
But (IMHO) you should never use standard tuning on a 12 string. They will not sound good and the high G string will break all the time.
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Posts: 55
Location: Troutdale oregon | Thank you for the valuable info everyone |
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Posts: 15652
Location: SoCal | Just my 2cents, but I've had an Adamas I 12 string for 23 years and have always tuned it to concert pitch. Never had a belly buldge or any type of problem.
Just saying...... |
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Posts: 846
Location: Canada | I also have a 6756LX and I keep it at normal tuning with light strings. As I also have another 12 string guitar I kept it at double-drop-D for a while. This was great for a few songs, but I found tension of the dropped Ds too low and there was some buzzing with vigorous playing. I think one needs thicker strings for lower than standard tuning.
Edited by d'ovation 2019-10-24 2:33 PM
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Posts: 55
Location: Troutdale oregon | I’m sure the 6756lx I purchased used has been tuned to concert pitch all its life also. It was built in 2005. It came from a very dry climate”Phoenix area” but overall was in really good shape. It was a little dry, had the frets filed and leveled the neck looks straight. Plays great and sounds even better. But I did notice a very slight belly,all braces are intact. I had heard of the tuning thing on 12 strings and was wondering if it was a common practice. |
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Posts: 55
Location: Troutdale oregon | I totally understand about the tuning down on certain songs. I don’t particularly care for having to use a capo to play at concert tuning especially when you have a song you play with a capo in the third fret would now be in the fifth things can get a little cramped. I live in Portland Oregon so humidity generally not a problem. I’ve kept humidity packs in my guitars for over a year now and none of them have ever dried out. I also use light strings “10/47” so I think I’m alright there. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | concert pitch. A440 |
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Posts: 55
Location: Troutdale oregon | Yah
The more I hear, concert pitch is the way to go for me anyway.
Thanks |
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March 2002
Posts: 15652
Location: SoCal | Light strings are the only strings I use on my 12. Elixir phos/bronze lights, .10-.47, tuned to concert pitch, A440...... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I just checked my old 1115...
Concert Pitch. Still in toon too. 
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Location: SoCal | Doesn't happen often, but if Beal, OMA, and I all agree on something, it must be right..... |
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Location: Troutdale oregon | You guys must be related to my wife. ?? |
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Posts: 751
Location: Muenster/Germany | I forgot to mention that I 90% play fingerstyle on the 12 strings. No fingerpicks. 0.11-0.50 strings.
That vintage "Kottke" sound...maybe.
And I have to admit that the only 12 string that was really better playable with concert pitch was my Adamas 1885. I wish I had a guitar like that with a deep body.
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Posts: 55
Location: Troutdale oregon | I’m pretty easy on my 12 string like I said I use 10/47 strings and switch to a lighter pick. I’m just starting to try finger picking and do that on my six string for the moment. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the 12 to see what’s happening there. Very windy and dry here at the moment in troutdale oregon. So I’m making sure humidity is correct. Thank you for your input.
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Location: NJ | I tune it to pitch |
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Location: Troutdale oregon | Thanks, pitch it is |
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Location: Birmingham, AL | <p>If you tune to A440 (which I do) you might take a look a Stringjoy Strings. They have a 12 string set that is balanced tension and do a good job. I have them on my 1658, Balladeer 12 string, and the 1885. It didn't seen to make much difference soundwise on the 1658 but it is easier to play.</p><p>The Balladeer is a 68 model, a new aquisition, and really had some (which I thought to be excessive) top distortion when I installed my usual Elixir 10-47. Also the neck was a little warped on the bass side and straight on the treble side. The truss rod wouldn't fix it. With the Stringjoy strings the neck relief is the same on both sides and even had to back off on the truss rod a little. You do lose some volume but the old Balladeer is such a beast that I can live with that.</p><p>The 1885 may go back to the Elixirs it can stand the tension at concert pitch with no issues.</p><p>Here's a link to the info. They are priced a bit high but iif it keeps the guitar from imploding then it's worth it</p><p>https://www.stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/acoustic-guitar-strings/natural-bronze-acoustic-strings/12-string-sets/extra-light-12-string-natural-bronze/</p>
Edited by clrules 2019-10-31 9:00 AM
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Location: Troutdale oregon | Thanks much I will look into it |
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Posts: 55
Location: Troutdale oregon | For faulknerbrad picture of my 1717
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Location: Oklahoma City | Very nice John. I've got a 2007 Traditional Series Balladeer, which I have to believe is one of the final traditionally styled Ovations made. |
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February 2018
Posts: 64
Location: Oklahoma City | Very nice John. I've got a 2007 Traditional Series Balladeer, which I have to believe is one of the final traditionally styled Ovations made. You and I are literally the only one's I know that have one. Very strange. |
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Posts: 64
Location: Oklahoma City | johngar - 2019-11-05 12:02 AM
For faulknerbrad picture of my 1717
Very nice John. I've got a 2007 Traditional Series Balladeer, which I have to believe is one of the final traditionally styled Ovations made. You and I are literally the only one's I know that have one. Very strange. |
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12 string tuning what would you do
