12-String Help?

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Author Message   Peterdryan Username: Peterdryan Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 8:07 pm:    I've played 6-string for years and I bought my first 12-string a few months ago. It's a Fender Strat XII. I just couldn't rationalize laying out the big $$$ for a Rick when I'll only use it for a couple of songs. I want to restring it and realized that I don't know a thing about 12-string guitars. Feel free to laugh, I won't take offense. Are there special strings for a 12-string guitar? Are they thinner gauge? Or do I just use 2 sets of Fender Lights? Thanks, all. - Pete   Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 11:07 pm:    Pete, Yes, they require string sets made especially for 12-string guitars. Here's my favorites: D'Addario - EXL150 Regular Light 12-String (A bit stiff on a 25.5" scale like your Strat) Ernie Ball - 2230 12-String Slinky (Very light feel on the 25.5". Too loose on a 24.75" like the Ibanez AR112 or 2618-12) Ernie Ball - 2233 12-String Light (The best overall feel I found for my Satriani 12-String. Never tried 'em on the Artists) YMMV The Bear   Peterdryan Username: Peterdryan Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 12:35 am:    Thanks, Bear. - Pete   Peterdryan Username: Peterdryan Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 12:36 am:    "YMMV"?   Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 3:12 am:    Your Mileage May Vary Or, Just my opinion... FWIW, The other guitarist in my band now has my Satriani 12-String (with 25.5" scale length). He's using the D'Addario EXL150's without problems. However, he plays a lot of acoustic guitar so he's accustomed to higher string effort/tension. The Bear   Chazmo Username: Chazmo Registered: 3-2007 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 1:40 pm:    Pete, welcome to the 12-string world. And, yes, ditto what these guys said -- you need to buy a set of strings that's gauged properly for a 12. No matter what, there's still a lot more tension on a 12-string neck than a 6, so don't try slapping on the wrong ones. Also, consider down-tuning your entire guitar (i.e., to D# or D on the low/high strings) -- again, this is a tension thing. Playing a 12-string is definitely a different experience than a 6, but it's highly rewarding! After playing my 12 for a while, my 6s sound thin and weak by comparison. Of course, the actual instrument makes a huge difference. Enjoy!!!!   Peterdryan Username: Peterdryan Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 1:59 pm:    Thanks, Chazmo. Any tips on tuning it? Do 6 across and then come back for the other 6 or do 2 at a time? - Pete   Chazmo Username: Chazmo Registered: 3-2007 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 2:14 pm:    I never thought about that. In fact, I usually do 6 across and then come back and tune the octaves. I don't think it matters though, Pete, unless you're first re-stringing the guitar -- at that point you should alternate strings on different sides of the peg head starting from the outside working into the middle (I think this is the same for 6-strings; at least that's how I do it). 12-string intonation, BTW, is open to some interpretation as well, Pete. Most people intentionally tune the high Bs and Es off within a few cents of each other. This creates a kind of chorus effect that makes the 12-string sound so huge. I usually don't do that though, as I prefer the precision. Final note... If you have a chance to check out a new Fender Stratocaster with Roland synth. system built in, make sure to try the "real 12-string" setting. Very cool!   Peterdryan Username: Peterdryan Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 4:22 pm:    Thanks, Chazmo. - Pete   Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 3:56 pm:    "12-string intonation, BTW, is open to some interpretation as well..." All but one of my 12-string electrics had 6-saddle bridges so intonation was always a compromise for the E, D, A, and G strings. Plenty of "chorus" no matter what you do! Extra "chorus" is achieved by slightly detuning one of the unison B and e strings. With a 12-saddle bridge, the intonation can be dialed in a lot closer for each string. I really liked being able to keep the "g's" in tune all the way up the neck. The Bear   Peterdryan Username: Peterdryan Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 5:10 pm:    Thanks, Bear. - Pete   Chazmo Username: Chazmo Registered: 3-2007 Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 5:34 pm:    I guess that's true, Bear. Definitely the nature of the beast. I wonder if the intonation difference as you walk the neck is different on an acoustic than an electric... I can get pretty "pure" barre chord intonation on my 1981 AW-75 acoustic through most of the first 10 frets or so. That said, if I capo to say, the 3rd fret, I have to lower the low E-string (G) a bit because the capo bends the bigger string a few more cents more than the octave string. Best wishes.

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