For my 1998 JF-30 12-string, maple back and sides, spruce top, ebony bridge and fingerboard, made in Westerley, Rhode Island. I use D'addario EJ38 Phosphor Bronze 10-47 light gauge strings tuned to E standard. This Guild has dual truss rods, one beneath the high strings and one beneath the low strings. They can be adjusted separately for possible neck twist issues. I've made no truss rod adjustments and it plays like a dream! To play in D standard I would string it with 12-52s, otherwise it will buzz from too low of string tension.
I've just purchased an acoustic twelve string guitar and in my web surfing I've discovered that some musicians tune their 12 string to D which makes a lot of sense to me. Your videos make a lot of sense to me now all I need is to find the best string gauges for my Fender 12 string.
That riff at 3:18 gives me the desire to buy a lawnmower from Home Depot lol great video this taught me more about what I would want and need for my new 12string. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!
Been Playing 12-string since 1967 or so learning from Pete Seeger Kpttke etcand your videos are the best i have seen on guages etc You are a brilliant 12-string player thrown in!! WELL DONE!!!
People ask why I have so many guitars and my reply is usually have they seen golfers playing with just one golf club which usually shuts them up. Any guitarist will understand what I'm saying Guitars aren't just a single item that can do anything.
I love my Rickenbackers. I love my Yamahas. I love my Gibson LP, SG. I love my guitars. I'm gonna build my own stratocaster this winter at a class I'm going to take.
Thanks for the very informative demo. I currently have an Epiphone hummingbird (IBG) that came with Daddario 9-45s (EJ41). Ive used Ernie Ball 2153's. Both sound great. I finally got the action, lr baggs element vct, a bone saddle and tusq bridge pins in place. I tried the Daddario xls 10-47's (29.99) and did not like them at all, sounded muffled, went back to the lighter guages. Ernie Ball 2153's are very good. I switch back and forth between the Daddario 9s. Im just a home player now. Been playing for about 40 yrs. This is my first 12 string. I wanted a short scale neck which makes a world of difference on the tension. I have found with the short scale neck and the 9 guage string sets, i keep it tuned at standard 440 tuning. I recommend trying different picks too with any string guage. That inspired by gibson epiphone hummingbird is a fantastic guitar. Thanks again!
I have been tempted by the looks of the Epi Hummingbird but I haven’t had the chance to try one yet. It’s funny that lighter gauge strings are often more resonant than heavier ones. I know it works that way on banjo. You’d think heavier strings would move the top more and create more overtones, but that’s not the case. Thanks for watching!
I like heavy top light bottom. (12 to 52). I make the sets up myself from 2 sets of 6 strings (plus 2 addition 12 and 16 gage strings). This gives me the wound A octave. I always tune down to C#. Try to match the strings so they all have a similar tension. The Ovation is simply awesome!
I would honestly say though string gauge is equally important across both electric and acoustic your electric guitar is basically a guitar that is played acoustically but recorded electronically so the flubbiness of light strings can still be heard
Aside from sound, strings are our tactile “interface” with the guitar. Choice of string gauge is a factor that has to consider touch our touch and style. For example, I love the sound and feel of .009s on an electric, but when I have played live, the adrenalin gets pumping and I tend to over-bend. I have to use .010s. On 12-string, I have to play with heavier strings to accommodate low tunings. There’s more than just sound involved.
Nothing fancy for 1998 Seagull. C ooen tuning mostly, typical light strings. I don't think I'll fiddling around too much with strings guages at this point.
Hi, greetings from Valencia Venezuela 🇻🇪.. I own an Ovation 1981 pacemaker 1615 acoustic electric just identical to the one you showed in this video but right now I’m trying to repair some issues with the truss rod. I like to use D’Addario strings 10-47 on it and on my other 1973 acoustic 6 strings Madeira A-30M from Guild and I’m gonna take your advise to try others brands. I also own a Yamaha nylon 6 strings. By the way, I wonder which brand and gauge do you use on the Pacemaker, I’m a lover of 12 strings acoustics electrics guitars and 6 strings as well. congratulations for make videos for this specific guitars that aren’t common to watch due to almost the most of them are made about electric guitars. Well done 👍🏻🎼🎵🎶🎸✌🏻☮️
Thanks a lot for the video. You've just showed me what I really need/want. Could you please tell me which exactly is the martin set you're using on the down tuned guild?
Are thinner guage less prone to snapping the thin strings (sounds counter intuitive but lower guage = less tension to pitch). Alternatively are there exotic materials for thin strings (eg carbon fibre composite)?
My circa 1990 Washburn D12-12n's are built like brick sh*thouses. I keep one with D'Daddario standard-lights concert-tuned at all times without ill effect other than a correctable neck bow every 10 or so years. I started out with lights, which made it sing really brightly, often producing strange overtones that sound like sitar or even harmonica. Then I tried it with D'Daddario standard mediums, which gave me the particular sound I wanted for some songs, but lost the overtones. So I got a 2nd D12-12n and put lights on that in standard tuning, and started keeping the medium-strung one in DADDAD.
Im using bit different set up , 8 or 9 string guitar , double E@.9ga, double B@.13ga and sometime octave G@.9ga, regular G @.24ga then single D@.35ga, single A @.46ga, and single E@.56ga, I find that this ,,hybrid "( I build this guitar my self) is giving me better bass line and crispy top. Im using lot of strumming and kind of Travis picking . What do you thinking about mix of my string gauges ?
I keep my 12 string tuned a whole step down to D. I capo to second fret if I playing with other folks in standard tuning. I have 9 gauge strings on it and tuned down theirs flop unless you play gently. I'll go to an 11 gauge set when I change out again. I want more power in the larger strings. I may stay with very light gauge on G B and small E strings. My question is being tuned down to D how heavy of a large E, A, and D string set can I safely use to not stress the Guitar?
Consider the Martin Flexible Core 12-string sets. That’s what I use on my Guild. They have a .010 on the treble end and a .052 on the low E. Tuned down to D, there’s enough deep bass response and the trebles are still light enough for complex stuff.
You only mentioned metal strings. You didn't mention nylon strings. You can put half nylon and half metal strings on a 12 string. I did it myself and it works. It actually sounds really good. I tried all nylon at first but for whatever reason it was hard to press all those nylon strings down. I then did 50/50 and it's easier to play.
Hi Greg. Have you ever covered Noel Paul Stookey's wedding song on your 12 strings that are tuned to C sharp or D standard tuning using the Martin Flex Core or D'addarios?
Great channel! I have a question for you... I just got my first 12 string in about 25 years. It's a grand auditorium body, and came with 10-47 D'addario strings. I'm noticing it's bass deficient when compared to my D18 (strung with 13s) or even my 00015sm (12s). How much of this do you think might be the strings? I'm leary of changing to a heavier gage right now... But I do think I would like a tad more on the low end. I know I'm not going to make it comparable to the D18 in that regard, but was just using it as a reference.
The grand auditorium body will produce less bass than a D-18 dreadnought. You didn’t say what brand it was. Many Asian-made guitars seem to have less low end. I don’t know why that is, but most American guitars have more bass. If the new one has a solid top, it might open up as it’s played over the next couple of years. Putting on heavier strings can help, but it’s still limited at the cavity size of the body.
In this video, the black Guild is tuned down a whole step; the sunburst Ovation is tuned down a half. (I’m playing that one with a capo on the first fret to make it standard pitch.)
this is the best video i've seen on string guages for 12 strings. i learned a ton from this. thank you.
Great to hear!
For my 1998 JF-30 12-string, maple back and sides, spruce top, ebony bridge and fingerboard, made in Westerley, Rhode Island. I use D'addario EJ38 Phosphor Bronze 10-47 light gauge strings tuned to E standard. This Guild has dual truss rods, one beneath the high strings and one beneath the low strings. They can be adjusted separately for possible neck twist issues. I've made no truss rod adjustments and it plays like a dream!
To play in D standard I would string it with 12-52s, otherwise it will buzz from too low of string tension.
I played A D4-12 back in the 1990s. That was a great guitar. It had the double truss rods. All 12-strings ought to have them.
I've just purchased an acoustic twelve string guitar and in my web surfing I've discovered that some musicians tune their 12 string to D which makes a lot of sense to me. Your videos make a lot of sense to me now all I need is to find the best string gauges for my Fender 12 string.
That riff at 3:18 gives me the desire to buy a lawnmower from Home Depot lol great video this taught me more about what I would want and need for my new 12string. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!
Been Playing 12-string since 1967 or so learning from Pete Seeger Kpttke etcand your videos are the best i have seen on guages etc You are a brilliant 12-string player thrown in!! WELL DONE!!!
Wow, thanks!
People ask why I have so many guitars and my reply is usually have they seen golfers playing with just one golf club which usually shuts them up. Any guitarist will understand what I'm saying Guitars aren't just a single item that can do anything.
And every guitar is unique and makes you write different songs
I love my Rickenbackers.
I love my Yamahas. I love my Gibson LP, SG. I love my guitars. I'm gonna build my
own stratocaster this winter at a class I'm going to take.
Thanks for the very informative demo. I currently have an Epiphone hummingbird (IBG) that came with Daddario 9-45s (EJ41). Ive used Ernie Ball 2153's. Both sound great. I finally got the action, lr baggs element vct, a bone saddle and tusq bridge pins in place. I tried the Daddario xls 10-47's (29.99) and did not like them at all, sounded muffled, went back to the lighter guages. Ernie Ball 2153's are very good. I switch back and forth between the Daddario 9s. Im just a home player now. Been playing for about 40 yrs. This is my first 12 string. I wanted a short scale neck which makes a world of difference on the tension. I have found with the short scale neck and the 9 guage string sets, i keep it tuned at standard 440 tuning. I recommend trying different picks too with any string guage. That inspired by gibson epiphone hummingbird is a fantastic guitar. Thanks again!
I have been tempted by the looks of the Epi Hummingbird but I haven’t had the chance to try one yet. It’s funny that lighter gauge strings are often more resonant than heavier ones. I know it works that way on banjo. You’d think heavier strings would move the top more and create more overtones, but that’s not the case. Thanks for watching!
Your analysis would apply to any guitar...good video!!!
I like heavy top light bottom. (12 to 52). I make the sets up myself from 2 sets of 6 strings (plus 2 addition 12 and 16 gage strings). This gives me the wound A octave. I always tune down to C#. Try to match the strings so they all have a similar tension. The Ovation is simply awesome!
Yes! String tension across all the strings is a big deal for comfort and consistency of tone.
I like the Earnie Ball Silk and Steel 2051, 9 t0 46 gauge. I like a softer 12 string sound, and finger picking theses string is very pleasant.
I have some in my stash, but they are too light for my liking. I need to dig in harder and they’re too floppy.
I would honestly say though string gauge is equally important across both electric and acoustic your electric guitar is basically a guitar that is played acoustically but recorded electronically so the flubbiness of light strings can still be heard
Aside from sound, strings are our tactile “interface” with the guitar. Choice of string gauge is a factor that has to consider touch our touch and style. For example, I love the sound and feel of .009s on an electric, but when I have played live, the adrenalin gets pumping and I tend to over-bend. I have to use .010s. On 12-string, I have to play with heavier strings to accommodate low tunings. There’s more than just sound involved.
Nothing fancy for 1998 Seagull. C ooen tuning mostly, typical light strings. I don't think I'll fiddling around too much with strings guages at this point.
Hi, greetings from Valencia Venezuela 🇻🇪..
I own an Ovation 1981 pacemaker 1615 acoustic electric just identical to the one you showed in this video but right now I’m trying to repair some issues with the truss rod. I like to use D’Addario strings 10-47 on it and on my other 1973 acoustic 6 strings Madeira A-30M from Guild and I’m gonna take your advise to try others brands. I also own a Yamaha nylon 6 strings. By the way, I wonder which brand and gauge do you use on the Pacemaker, I’m a lover of 12 strings acoustics electrics guitars and 6 strings as well.
congratulations for make videos for this specific guitars that aren’t common to watch due to almost the most of them are made about electric guitars.
Well done 👍🏻🎼🎵🎶🎸✌🏻☮️
On my Pacemaker, I use the Ernie Ball Earthwood extra-light, phosphor bronze, .009-.046 gauge. Thanks for watching.
@@GWGuitarStudio … Thanks for your reply… I’ll give it a try as soon as I can find them and solve the truss rod’s issue!!!
Good day !!!
Thanks a lot for the video. You've just showed me what I really need/want. Could you please tell me which exactly is the martin set you're using on the down tuned guild?
Martin MA500FX
Are thinner guage less prone to snapping the thin strings (sounds counter intuitive but lower guage = less tension to pitch). Alternatively are there exotic materials for thin strings (eg carbon fibre composite)?
My circa 1990 Washburn D12-12n's are built like brick sh*thouses. I keep one with D'Daddario standard-lights concert-tuned at all times without ill effect other than a correctable neck bow every 10 or so years. I started out with lights, which made it sing really brightly, often producing strange overtones that sound like sitar or even harmonica. Then I tried it with D'Daddario standard mediums, which gave me the particular sound I wanted for some songs, but lost the overtones. So I got a 2nd D12-12n and put lights on that in standard tuning, and started keeping the medium-strung one in DADDAD.
12-stringers amaze me with their talent for innovation and adaptation.
Im using bit different set up , 8 or 9 string guitar , double E@.9ga, double B@.13ga and sometime octave G@.9ga, regular G @.24ga then single D@.35ga, single A @.46ga, and single E@.56ga, I find that this ,,hybrid "( I build this guitar my self) is giving me better bass line and crispy top. Im using lot of strumming and kind of Travis picking . What do you thinking about mix of my string gauges ?
12-string guitarists are endlessly innovative trying to work around the instrument’s quirks.
I keep my 12 string tuned a whole step down to D. I capo to second fret if I playing with other folks in standard tuning. I have 9 gauge strings on it and tuned down theirs flop unless you play gently. I'll go to an 11 gauge set when I change out again. I want more power in the larger strings. I may stay with very light gauge on G B and small E strings. My question is being tuned down to D how heavy of a large E, A, and D string set can I safely use to not stress the Guitar?
Consider the Martin Flexible Core 12-string sets. That’s what I use on my Guild. They have a .010 on the treble end and a .052 on the low E. Tuned down to D, there’s enough deep bass response and the trebles are still light enough for complex stuff.
@@GWGuitarStudio Thank you for such a quick reply. I wasn't expecting that!
You only mentioned metal strings. You didn't mention nylon strings. You can put half nylon and half metal strings on a 12 string. I did it myself and it works. It actually sounds really good. I tried all nylon at first but for whatever reason it was hard to press all those nylon strings down. I then did 50/50 and it's easier to play.
Interesting. I would have thought the nylon strings would not move the top sufficiently to attain good resonance.
@@GWGuitarStudio it's still pretty loud with half nylon strings. As I play I can feel the back of the guitar vibrate against my chest when I strum it.
Avoid using 8s. I had them for the 1st high E strings and the 3rd high G string. They pop easily. Replaced them with 9s.
Hi Greg. Have you ever covered Noel Paul Stookey's wedding song on your 12 strings that are tuned to C sharp or D standard tuning using the Martin Flex Core or D'addarios?
Beautiful song. It has been many years since I played it. I accompanied a vocalist for a wedding.
Great channel! I have a question for you... I just got my first 12 string in about 25 years. It's a grand auditorium body, and came with 10-47 D'addario strings. I'm noticing it's bass deficient when compared to my D18 (strung with 13s) or even my 00015sm (12s). How much of this do you think might be the strings? I'm leary of changing to a heavier gage right now... But I do think I would like a tad more on the low end. I know I'm not going to make it comparable to the D18 in that regard, but was just using it as a reference.
The grand auditorium body will produce less bass than a D-18 dreadnought. You didn’t say what brand it was. Many Asian-made guitars seem to have less low end. I don’t know why that is, but most American guitars have more bass. If the new one has a solid top, it might open up as it’s played over the next couple of years. Putting on heavier strings can help, but it’s still limited at the cavity size of the body.
@@GWGuitarStudio yeah it's an import. A D'angelico with a solid top and laminate back/sides.
Whitch guitars are tuned down 1/2 or whole step?
In this video, the black Guild is tuned down a whole step; the sunburst Ovation is tuned down a half. (I’m playing that one with a capo on the first fret to make it standard pitch.)
.010 is ten thousandths of an inch