for everyone asking about the song he plays in the intro, it's actually one of his own! really awesome track: We Came As Strangers - Colour Of You (FULL SONG from album Recipe For Adventure)
I just repaired the bridge of my 12 string after 3 yrs sitting in my closet, and I needed to brush up on basic 12 string tuning techniques, and I was overjoyed when I heard that many 12 string players tune 2 semi tones down from standard tuning. What a break for the tension on my guitar, and as a bonus, I can now comfortably sing "Hotel California", so it's less strain on my vocal chords as well! Thanks Justin for posting on the internet and sharing your insights as well as musical expertise.
*Great video! I've been playing for 55 years (much of it on stage) and I still learned something from you, thanks.* I bought a Martin 12 string last year.
I have been fingerpicking for 38 years and just bought myself a 12 string guitar and your tip of tuning a whole note down was brilliant, not only does it make playing easier but it also makes my guitar sound better. Good tip and thanks.
I was thinking about doing the same thing on my Taylor 12-string after seeing this video today. Bet it will sounds better, and may help with that B-string tuning issue.
Thank you Justin. Even if you're a beginner and a 12 string isn't for you its still good to have this knowledge in your head. Keep teaching us like always :)
The string tension (total) on a 6-string tuned to standard 'E' is about 155 lbs - whereas, the string tension on a 12-string tuned to E is about 250 lbs --- that makes the strings harder to hold down (particularly if you haven't got a strong thumb). In the old days a lot of 12-string players would tune down to 'C#' -- 3 semitones down - Leo Kottke.
Ive watched this so many times. And I gotta say, I love hearing you play the song at the start. Its what inspired me to get a 12 string. Managed to track down older 2nd hand Maton. Needed alot of work to get where it is now. But its been well worth the experience for everything its taught me, and all the enjoyment ive had playing it. Thank you for making this video.
After ~12 years of playing I today got my first twelve string guitar. Never heard something sound so heavenly. Thank you for this video, I left a "like" or "thumbs up" or whatever you like to call it.
I've been playing guitar off and on since lessons when I was 13. I had a Yamaha 12 string while I was in college, it was very hard to play since I'm sure the action was not correct on it. I'm about to get back in to 12 strings after many years and ordered a Guild F2512E. Really liked your video as a refresher course for me as to the tuning of it.
This video was very helpful. Thanks for posting. My uncle just handed down to me his 1968 Gibson 12 string and I have absolutely no idea how to restring and eventually tune it. The strings on it are about 25 years old.
@@kingrobert1st That's alright, I gave it back to him because it didn't play good. The bridge saddle was warped forward and needed a lot of expensive work.
Soon 2 years ago I got my 12 string guitar (as my 2nd guitar after 4 months with a 6-stringed with action higher than trumps forehead), I still look at this video and learn from Justin haha Love ya Justin! More 12-stringed content on the way? ;)
Thanks Justin, Your one of the few Guitar 'experts' I turn to when I'm looking for some info on how to play Guitar, or a particular song I'm struggling with. Keep up the great content........
Cool, thanks! Have you checked out the full website for all content? www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher
Just bought my first 12 string. Been playing guitar for about 6 years now and this is my first time playing a 12 string. Video is really well done. Easy to understand and follow. Good info. Cheers mate!
AWESOME Tutorial!! Thank you so much!! I just purchased my first 12 string and I'm 60 and I can't wait to play like you!!! I was blessed with a guitar when I was 7 years old and played till I was 12. Then I picked up the 6 string about 3 years ago, and I play about an 1-2 hours a day. So I'm really excited to dive into the 12 string!!!
I did not like thumb picks, I was used to finger picking with my thumb nail and Thumb picks were to long for me. So I cut down the pick with cutters and filed down the sides. Works for me.
Really enjoyed the video PLUS picked up a couple of tips even though I've been using 12's since 1971. Many thanks. In return 1) for some passages you may be better stringing the 3rd pair with unison strings as that means 1st,2nd 3rd courses sound the same for crosspicking etc.2) On some 12's the 6th pair (thickest) can be muddy (Matons definitely not) and I've found some improvement by using a 1st string as the thinnest on the 6th pair and tuning 2 octaves apart 3) one neat way of checking tuning is to hit the harmonic at the 12 fret of the thick string and compare that to the thinner partner PLUS you can check the harmonics against the first string ie B (2nd pair) is 1st string 7th fret or D harmonics (4th pair) is against 10th fret of first string - the harmonics ring one while you can fret/play the 1st string notes. Finally nails - I go once a fortnight to a nail bar and have acrylic overlay put on my right hand nails - works a treat plus do I get some funny looks from other guys who see me inside - worth it just for those alone!. Cheers.
I just put a down payment on a Taylor 150e 12 string, I appreciate this video as it's my first 12 string that I have owned and the information you provided is exactly what I was looking for. thanks for posting
3 year guit player here. Finally got myself a yamaha 12er. Pretty excited. Ty Segalls piickathon performance with Cory Hanson really convinced me. So beautiful.
Thanks for this! I just bought a 12 string and I was looking for tips and things I may need to know about it, I already tuned it down! Really appreciate this vid! - Jaycie
Justin: After all these years I finally bought myself a Guild f-2512ce last month. I always wanted a 12 string since I first played one in the 80's . Naturally I said to myself I wonder what Justin has to say about them, and low,and behold you dropped the bomb! I never heared about tunning the #2 B & E strings slightly out of phase;a simply smashing piece of information. Much appreciated...
For E Standard Tuning you'll wanna use really Light Gauge Strings that have a super low tension to make playing the 12 String Guitar Easier like Thomastik AC210 Plectrum Bronze Extra Light 12 String Guitar Strings (those Have Brass Plated Trebles the AC210T Strings have Tin Plated Trebles).
Αll excellent advice for those who are not very familiar with 12 string guitars. A wonderful instrument if you are fully aware of its difficult idiosyncratic nature and character and commited to overcome those difficulties and sound really good even if you only play simple open chords on it. And something I would like to add about the possibilities of a 12 string guitar, is that you can economize on your fingering, if you like. Thus, a triad played on a 12 string, can sound like a full six note chord played on a six string guitar.
Justin i made a derrogotive comment about 5 months about talking too long and easy to play tuts, i was forgetting not everyone can play guitar, You just taght me something about tuning a 12 string by tweaking the top 2 strings slightly out of tune. I appologise mate
Victor Jones that is the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard. How many incredible bands have their been with guitarists who can't sing. By your logic the only type of guitarist that should exist is a singer songwriter.
Thank you, I follow your courses but I randomly found this video hearing different models of 12 strings. I'm on my way to get myself a 12 string Takamine for Christmas. So excited! 🤩
Justin, I would like to personally thank your for all your extremely informative youtube videos. You are indeed an asset to youtube and to the guitar community. I have learned so much from your videos and made me enjoy learning/playing the guitar because of your great instructional videos. You are an inspiration. Thank you!!! Gus L.
My uncle eddy passed away about 2 weeks ago, he lived around most of my family in PEI while me and my family are in Toronto, I went to visit last week and on the last day there we went to see my uncle eddy's old home. My great aunts and uncles had told me that they were trying to get rid of all if his stuff. I walked around and looked at all of his instruments as we both had a LARGE interest in music it being his entire life. My great aunts and uncles saw me looking at them and offered me his 12
Nice looking guitar. As a guitar tech, I get asked all the time about tuning for a 12 string. Its sooo easy, so I finally posted a video for those who need to know how. Have a great day!
Justin, as ever you are Da Mang! That's my Yank slang for, well...you get the drift. Just got my first 12 string and you're where I went first for some sage advice on making this lovely lady sing her siren song. Thanks for all you do!
Hard to believe I remember this video when you first released it. 12 years go by in the blink of an eye. I didn't pull the trigger on this guitar then...I really wish I had. They are $4500 now 😭😭
This is a really useful video . My 12 stringer is a dust collector most of the time !! Your comments gave me food for thought ! Particularly about dropping the tuning. Thanks
Thank you, sir! Been enjoying your videos for a while. They are a lasting testament to someone who loves what they do, loves music, and loves sharing his gift. I've been playing 20 years, but the trick to staying good is always being a good student, and you've taught me plenty. Many thanks. Amazingly, never had a 12 string, just played the sweetest one in a store and felt like I had picked up a new kind of magical instrument. I think I must get one, and your walk through makes it much less intimidating to maintain - thank you!
As someone who plays a 12 string (my absolute favorite guitar to play), my advice is this. Get it setup professionally by someone who knows 12 strings. Ideally with a low action, but make sure that if nothing else, the strings are all right about the same action. The biggest interest killer in 12 string guitars (and guitars in general) isn't the extra strings, it's the bad setup that was done at the factory. When I was auditioning 12 strings, I play a lot of them. Some were fairly decent from the factory, others were absolute nightmares to play. I had my 12 string setup and it's an absolute gem to play. I've had (non-setup) 6 strings that were harder to play than my 12. Absolutely agree with Justin on his take that this is not a beginner's instrument. However, I fell in love with the instrument on my first day of music class when I was in 1st grade when my teacher did the Country Roads course John Denver put our on her 12 string. It' been a long time, but since then, but if that's the sound you want, there is nothing else like it and it really isn't that much more difficult to play if you have your basic shapes down. My adjustment period took about 20 minutes, but YMMV.
I think this is funny in a way I ALWAYS play tuned down a full tone and capoed match the other guitars, I got this from a biology teacher in high school( 20 years ago lol) but it seems NOBODY around here ever uses this. Second thing is I agree this is not a beginners instrument but about 2 months into my lessons I picked up my Bio teacher's and found it easy to play and I fell in love so my advice is if you like the sound and want to play go for it you won't regret it!
just got a diy doubleneck 6/12. Never had or tuned a 12 string but have played a few. you've put me at ease on tuning 'er up and I really appreciate it. Man........I'll bet the truss rod'll be sweatin' peach seeds for a loooong time-lol
I LOVE my 12-string Takamine F385. When playing with other people, I find a clip on headstock tuner or amp tuner to be indispensable. (A clip on tuner senses neck vibration, unlike a microphone-based tuner.) Nobody wants to hear somebody tell them "Quiet, guys; I have to tune up," while they tweak 12 strings a few times apiece. I find that a $10 Snark, Planet Waves, or Intellitouch tuner can tune a 12-string fast, even in a noisy room.
My sister gave me a beautiful Washburn Cumberland which I haven't played. Why? Because I didn't think I could tune it! After watching your video, it's tuned and I'm jamming away! Thanks, JustinGuitar!!
Bought a 1974 Höfner, secondhand of course, and it needed a shim under the neck joint. So glad it has a removable neck! And I want to make a 6 string Spanish guitar neck fit into that slot as well, for it is nice to have such neck swapping options. When I will have gathered enough courage, I will glue the bridge in place. Some of the glue has passed away, so these two bolts hold on like heroes, really doing great, but I want things solid. So, this guitar needed some TLC, and it is absolutely worth it, it sounds lovely! And talking about setup, it has a zero fret, which I like a lot. Action is nice and low up the neck, but I'm still fine tuning the neck angle, this guitar was not used a long time, it is still settling under string tension, but my gut feeling say it will be okay, one day. Besides, I got large hands, I can have some action, you don't want buzz playing very loud, anyway. Have you ever played a flamengo guitar? I repaired one, a cheap one, but the sound was fantastic. Playing quiet, playing loud, it does everything very good. But it needs a bit of action, in return. So be it. And now I need to practice, I already noticed one needs pretty accurate picking, the gap between the strings is small. Before you know it, you play three strings. It's good Justin mentions these problems. However, the solution is taking time and practise, I guess. My solution to the harder playing two strings at a time, is buying rather light gauge strings. Sure you can tune down to D tuning, but with lighter gauge I can handle E tuning easily. Besides, I get intonation issues, tuning down. Don't you? It all depends on what strings the bridge was made for. You can file a bridge to perfect intonation, but a different brand and type of strings, or even tuning down can destroy your perfect intonation, you'll need to adjust the bridge again when you buy different strings. Sad but true. To all other 12 string newbies, GOOD LUCK and have fun!
Hi Justin, good work. Wish you'd mentioned how great they sound capoed higher up the neck, a bit mandolin-like . The only problem is if you have worn-out or poor quality strings the intonation can be a bit iffy . Try at fret 7 , then play along to Here comes the Sun, Hotel California, Midnight Rambler, Scarboro Fair,& The Sound of Silence for starters . Lucky sod having a Maton! Cheers, Nige .
my first guitar i learned on was a 12 string fender acoustic, i taught myself online with Justin's lessons and marty's, it was harder, but it was well worth the frustration in the end.
Come on Justin, it's about time you make a Lesson on colour of you. You know we want it! I come here from time to time to see how you play it but it's not enough 😅
Most 12 string guitars I’ve played just never seemed to get you to where you would think it would take you, but your 12 string sounds great! I also dig the tune you were playing! Rock on
Justin: I am not used to a 12 String guitar I just got this yesterday. I haven't done a whole lot of fingerstyle on this and I find it a bit awkward. 12:00 Also Justin: Proceeds to play one of the most beautiful noodling I've ever listened to fingerstyle. I love his humility.
I recently got my first 12-string guitar, and after about a week, I tuned it down a full step, mainly because the reduced tension makes it easier to play. I was experiencing hand fatigue even though I was used to playing a dreadnaught with medium gauge strings. The downside is that you lose a little volume and projection, but it still sounds quite good.
Have loved 12 string since Rooftop Singers did Walk Right In. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. There are a lot of 12s on commercial tunes that people don't hear but think " they have a good sound". Thanks for a video on a great instrument.
That's fantastic! I was curious about the 12 string. I'm a beginning guitar player but was curious about it and you did a wonderful job of explaining it! Thank you!
I know that it’s late to the show. Ha Thank you for your great Sir. I’ve been wanting a 12 string guitar for some time now and you just answered those questions that needed answering. It appears as though I’ll be getting one for the new year. Thanks again for a great post. All the best Mate! Cheers!!
Wow, Justin! Never having played a 12-string guitar, I had sooo many questions about them, and in this short video you managed to answer them all! Tuning, picking, etc. Thank you!
Justin try the LR baggs pickups and LR baggs saturation pedal. Also, what you want to say is an e and the e and octave higher on the smaller string. It's not really a high e and low e. First four are and octave higherand last two are the same. That is the whole reason for playing a 12, because it sounds like two guitars at once. Kind of like setting one guitar with a capo and one without and then matching the chords up. Done all the time. So many people don't understand the tuning trick on the twelve string guitar and never unlock the beauty of the instrument because they just tune all the strings to the same note, like on the 6 string. Best William
nice chat on the 12 string. I have a 45 year old Giannini Craviola in the shop getting the neck re-set and I can't wait to get her back...The tension over the years was too much for the ol' gal...
Hi Justin, Thank you very much for those tips for the 12 string guitar. very helpful! 4 months ago i got a 12 string Eko guitar and it plays indeed a lot different, it's a bit like beginning at square 1again. but if you got hte tuning right the sound is beautiful! thanks for the video.
thanks, been play 12 string many years, alot you show I did know. that way you tune the b's and e's ,wow what a revaluation . when I did that all I could say for a few minutes was cooool !.
My ibanze Ael2012 is such a beautiful 12 string guitar, to me anyways. It is by far my favorite guitar to play. Its got a built in tuner for easy tuning and a built in pre amp which makes it sound wonderful through my fender pro reverb. I just love playing it.
Looove that song you're playing in the beginning. I'm still learning how to tune my 12 string.. its so confusing. Spent 40 yrs playing 6 strings. I sure hopes this helps me. Time to watch the rest.
Melanie it's so easy . If you can tune the 6 string than no worries , you can tune 12 strings the thinner strings are just the octive above . But just hit the same both strings together so the waver of the sound will be off it will waiver. Just wind the higher string until the sound comes into one straight hum. But just make sure the regular 6 strings are in tune A 440 or any tunage you want at that time , either open cord like, open "G", Open "B", or Open "A" and so on and so on. Just make sure the regular 6 strings are in tune first of all to give you what ever tuning you want. All you have to do it make sure the thinner string comes into tune with the regular string you are tuning at that time. Just make sure the thin string that is with either one of the 6 strings either low E ,A,D,G,B,High E. just make sure the thin string beside each regular string rings in tune with that string your tuning with. It's just a little tricky just trying to hit the thinner string without hitting anything else to hear the waver clearly. But it really is simple. ounce you get used to it. after awhile you will get used to open tuning with out harmonics or straight tuning with one finger down at the 7th fret or 12 fret to the 7th fret. There are many ways of tuning the best you can. Plus it all boils down to if your guitar is intonated well because some guitars have problems with the "D" & "G" strings when tuning usually because the intonation is out. But just make sure all the thin strings that are with one of each 6 strings . Just make sure when you hit both of them alone together and make sure the sound waiver is straight, one constant hum. Not if it is waivering up and down. Bring it together until it does not waiver anymore. Do that for every one of the six strings with the thin one's as well and you should have you12 in tune.
Mikey Micstar Sprunt / High School Drop -Outs Wow.. awesome tips. I don't have a problem hitting strings together it was just the octave thing. You did mention the 12th fret.. is that an octave higher? Can the first 4 skinny strings be tuned by the 12th fret being hit on the heavier strings? Thankfully the last 2 set of strings are tuned the same! I've barely played this guitar. I said forget it. And the neck is soooo heavy lol. But it's gorgeous and I've always wanted one!! Its time!!
Hey there. Yes to the 12th fret if you are tuning regular 440 or lower . Allot of 12 strings are tuned in 335 because it's less strain on the neck. But what ever you tune to the higher string gets tuned together with the thicker. But here is what your asking I think. If you tune your guitar from the very start to get the normal 6 strings in tune you can do it many different ways. But the way your asking is for every string you tune on the regular 6. just say your doing the low "E" you hit the harmonic at the twelfth fret open and hit the "A" string with your finger pushing down on the "A"string on the 7th fret and you hit the harmonic open and right after the "A" string with your finger down on the 7th fret one right after the other and listen for the waver of the harmonic and the note and make the waver blend together so it just is a hum not anymore wavering, make it so it is a straight flow then do the same with the "A" String & the "D" string next the "D" & the "G" next "G" & "B" then "B" & High "E" the only difference is on the "G"&"B" your finger pushes down on the "B" String on the 8th fret instead of like the others at the 7th fret. it's only when you tune the "G"&"B" always the lower string which is always the the string above the other or the thicker string is hit harmonically at the twelfth fret and push your finger down on the higher string which is thinner which is below the "G" string, put your finger down on the 8th fret on the 2nd string. And if you want to do it that way , it can be sometimes a little tricky trying to just hit the one string at a time between the thicker strings and the thinner ones. because you want to make sure you get each string nice and clear so you can tune by the wavering of the notes combined together to bring the waver to just a straight note between both notes that you hit. There are different ways of tunning. Actually you can look for the on you tube . different tuning ways. good luck. keep up the faith!!! forever.
Mikey Micstar Sprunt / High School Drop -Outs Oh my gosh.. I'm going to have to read that over and over. Wow.. so complicated.. lol. Guess it's going to take me a bit. Thank you soooo much for your help and taking the time to explain it all. I mean it can't be that difficult. I think I'm over complicating things as usual. And I'm just using a guitar tuner app cause the tuner thingy that came with it, well I had no idea what those numbers meant and where to go with that. Whew, makes me swet just thinking about it lol. Yikes!!
You tube has tones of different tuning, just type in "12 string guitar tuning" and lots will come up to choose from that shows you every different way of tuning your twelve. It seems complicated because I described , Well tried to describe two different styles of picking into one parragragh. But just type in what i said. You Tube has every type of tuning there is just check all the vids to choose from and find the best one that suits you. You can follow them showing you everything string by string and just hit your string in tune with the guy in the vid and you'll be in tune. I tried, Good Luck
Just got a lovely Ovation 12 string. New to the 12 so this has some nice tips , so many just say oh! Its just double notes but of course it's much more than just that . Your tune btw is awesome. Thank you for all your lessons advice and assistance.
I have absolutely fallen in love with my 12-string Fender and it most definitely will be my go to. Would it be practical to practice my spider finger warm ups on my 12-string or should I continue to practice it on my 6-string. I will probably be using my 12-string for 90% of my gigs and open mics now. Picking on the 12-stings during the spider exercise feels clumsy. Thoughts?
Well, you still need accuracy and you *will* benefit from it. No use to practice it for hours and hours but putting a bit of accurracy exercises in your practice now and then wouldn't hurt? I reckon you'll be doing mostly chord work so expanding your chord knowledge on a 12 string will help you sounding lush , like this one for example: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/lush-acoustic-chords-w-drone-strings-1-ca-001 | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Assistant
If you want to get into using a thumb-pick, buy 5 or so and experiment with filing them down. As supplied they are usually much too big and tangle in the strings
After playing 6 string and 12 string guitars for close to 40+ years, the 1st thing that I do with every new instrument is to install brass bridge pins. If you've never used brass, the sound will AMAZE you!
It is now 2020 so yea, I'm a little late however, for those just starting out or thinking about your first 12 string, don't be put off by the very detailed explanation that Justin is giving here. He is technically correct but I've been playing 12 string for years and never used anything but standard tuning. Also, although tuning a 12 string is a bit tedious, it tunes like any other guitar and you will quickly get a feel for tuning one string without hitting the other. Justin is great and I watch his videos all the time, It just seems that this video is a bit over complicated
I always tune my 12 string guitar a whole step down, but I also find it necessary to use a heavier set of strings because of this. Tuning down the very light set of strings most people put on their 12 string guitars, means tuning accuracy problems especially on the lower strings. With a 12 to 54 set, accurate tuning is a lot easier and the guitar sounds louder too.
This is an old video, but I'll comment anyway. I have played 12 strings since 1970 and love them. I prefer the Jumbo size. I always used the 10-47 size strings at standard tuning, but lately discovered the 12-52. I've tuned down to Eb (D#) and it works very well. I love the sound (always mindful of stress problems). For fingerpicking, I use a thumb pick and metal finger picks.
that guitar sounds really nice justin i don,t think a lot people detune because the modern 12 string guitar is built for 12 strings and use a capo . that guitar sounds great
I enjoy your video very much and found it informative. What you said about tuning the B and E strings slightly off is really interesting and may not be as unconventional as some might think. At least two harmonica companies Hohner and Seydel turn their tremolos with the first reed at a standard pitch and the second a tiny bit higher. I also love the sound of your Maton. The octaves are well pronounced. Some 12-strings aren't (including some of the high-end).
I don't think 12 string guitar manufacturers would build guitars that would have a problem being tuned to standard tuning. Unless you like tuning down and capoing, I would just tune it to standard tuning. That being said, try experimenting with alternate tunings. They sound great on a 12 string!
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for everyone asking about the song he plays in the intro, it's actually one of his own! really awesome track: We Came As Strangers - Colour Of You (FULL SONG from album Recipe For Adventure)
Ante Meridiem 😊
I just repaired the bridge of my 12 string after 3 yrs sitting in my closet, and I needed to brush up on basic 12 string tuning techniques, and I was overjoyed when I heard that many 12 string players tune 2 semi tones down from standard tuning. What a break for the tension on my guitar, and as a bonus, I can now comfortably sing "Hotel California", so it's less strain on my vocal chords as well! Thanks Justin for posting on the internet and sharing your insights as well as musical expertise.
I've only got that song half finished... when it's done and recorded I'll teach it..
Its been 8 years and we’re still waiting 🥺
Firstly, you're an awesome guitarist. That guitar sounds a little fret slappy though. Did you try adjusting the action a little?
writers block😉😉
*Great video! I've been playing for 55 years (much of it on stage) and I still learned something from you, thanks.*
I bought a Martin 12 string last year.
I'll bet that sounds great!
I have been fingerpicking for 38 years and just bought myself a 12 string guitar and your tip of tuning a whole note down was brilliant, not only does it make playing easier but it also makes my guitar sound better. Good tip and thanks.
I was thinking about doing the same thing on my Taylor 12-string after seeing this video today. Bet it will sounds better, and may help with that B-string tuning issue.
Thank you Justin. Even if you're a beginner and a 12 string isn't for you its still good to have this knowledge in your head. Keep teaching us like always :)
12 strings guitars were created by the gods they sound divine
Octaves in general sound divine
fft2020 But do they djent like 7-string baritone, 8-string, 9-string guitars?
What you are hearing in this video is "Divine Djent". At 12-Strings it just sounds like that.
it's a drone. if you like those you'll LOVE hammered dulcimer!
Not only do I have a 12-string guitar, but I also have a 10-string banjo. The double strings are the sound of the gods.
The string tension (total) on a 6-string tuned to standard 'E' is about 155 lbs - whereas, the string tension on a 12-string tuned to E is about 250 lbs --- that makes the strings harder to hold down (particularly if you haven't got a strong thumb).
In the old days a lot of 12-string players would tune down to 'C#' -- 3 semitones down - Leo Kottke.
Ive watched this so many times. And I gotta say, I love hearing you play the song at the start. Its what inspired me to get a 12 string.
Managed to track down older 2nd hand Maton. Needed alot of work to get where it is now. But its been well worth the experience for everything its taught me, and all the enjoyment ive had playing it.
Thank you for making this video.
After ~12 years of playing I today got my first twelve string guitar. Never heard something sound so heavenly. Thank you for this video, I left a "like" or "thumbs up" or whatever you like to call it.
It's very nice to hear Leo Kottke mentioned, for some reason he seems to be overlooked and he's such a incredible 12 string guitar player.
J2013 Check out Dick Rosmini if you really want to learn something.
I didn't know Norm Mcdonald could play the guitar like that!
Jesus, man... :')
You don't know how hard I laughed.
LOL! I was going to ask him if he was related!
Lmao
Ha ha norm McDonald
I've been playing guitar off and on since lessons when I was 13. I had a Yamaha 12 string while I was in college, it was very hard to play since I'm sure the action was not correct on it. I'm about to get back in to 12 strings after many years and ordered a Guild F2512E. Really liked your video as a refresher course for me as to the tuning of it.
Thank you for making this video. Im thinking of getting a 12 string guitar ive allways loved the way they sound.
Well learn how to play standard 6-string guitar and then play a 12-string guitar
This video was very helpful. Thanks for posting.
My uncle just handed down to me his 1968 Gibson 12 string and I have absolutely no idea how to restring and eventually tune it. The strings on it are about 25 years old.
I'll swap you a new set of strings for the 1968 Gibson! lol
@@kingrobert1st
That's alright, I gave it back to him because it didn't play good.
The bridge saddle was warped forward and needed a lot of expensive work.
Soon 2 years ago I got my 12 string guitar (as my 2nd guitar after 4 months with a 6-stringed with action higher than trumps forehead), I still look at this video and learn from Justin haha
Love ya Justin! More 12-stringed content on the way? ;)
Thanks Justin, Your one of the few Guitar 'experts' I turn to when I'm looking for some info on how to play Guitar, or a particular song I'm struggling with. Keep up the great content........
Cool, thanks! Have you checked out the full website for all content? www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons
Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher
Just bought my first 12 string. Been playing guitar for about 6 years now and this is my first time playing a 12 string. Video is really well done. Easy to understand and follow. Good info. Cheers mate!
“A hi-yee-anna lowee, then a-hi-a anna-low-a, a-hi-dee anna low-dee, then it’s a-hi-gee anna low-gee!”
One of my favorite Irish folk songs.
AWESOME Tutorial!! Thank you so much!! I just purchased my first 12 string and I'm 60 and I can't wait to play like you!!! I was blessed with a guitar when I was 7 years old and played till I was 12. Then I picked up the 6 string about 3 years ago, and I play about an 1-2 hours a day. So I'm really excited to dive into the 12 string!!!
My uncle passed away about a month ago. I got his 12-string today
How you getting on man?
Sorry to hear about your uncle 😢 he'll be remembered as you play this gift.
Lucky fella your uncle was
This is 8 years later. I hope you're well and playing that 12 string
@@christys.5024 I Hope that it wasn't Haunted....he's not answering anyone back..poor guy..and he seemed so Happy to get it!
I did not like thumb picks, I was used to finger picking with my thumb nail and Thumb picks were to long for me. So I cut down the pick with cutters and filed down the sides. Works for me.
Really enjoyed the video PLUS picked up a couple of tips even though I've been using 12's since 1971. Many thanks. In return 1) for some passages you may be better stringing the 3rd pair with unison strings as that means 1st,2nd 3rd courses sound the same for crosspicking etc.2) On some 12's the 6th pair (thickest) can be muddy (Matons definitely not) and I've found some improvement by using a 1st string as the thinnest on the 6th pair and tuning 2 octaves apart 3) one neat way of checking tuning is to hit the harmonic at the 12 fret of the thick string and compare that to the thinner partner PLUS you can check the harmonics against the first string ie B (2nd pair) is 1st string 7th fret or D harmonics (4th pair) is against 10th fret of first string - the harmonics ring one while you can fret/play the 1st string notes. Finally nails - I go once a fortnight to a nail bar and have acrylic overlay put on my right hand nails - works a treat plus do I get some funny looks from other guys who see me inside - worth it just for those alone!. Cheers.
I just put a down payment on a Taylor 150e 12 string, I appreciate this video as it's my first 12 string that I have owned and the information you provided is exactly what I was looking for. thanks for posting
I just bought one. Your in for a treat! Have fun
3 year guit player here. Finally got myself a yamaha 12er. Pretty excited. Ty Segalls piickathon performance with Cory Hanson really convinced me. So beautiful.
Please, more 12 string tutorials. :) love and light...
Thanks for this! I just bought a 12 string and I was looking for tips and things I may need to know about it, I already tuned it down! Really appreciate this vid! - Jaycie
Justin: After all these years I finally bought myself a Guild f-2512ce last month.
I always wanted a 12 string since I first played one in the 80's .
Naturally I said to myself I wonder what Justin has to say about them, and low,and behold you dropped the bomb!
I never heared about tunning the #2 B & E strings slightly out of phase;a simply smashing piece of information.
Much appreciated...
For E Standard Tuning you'll wanna use really Light Gauge Strings that have a super low tension to make playing the 12 String Guitar Easier like Thomastik AC210 Plectrum Bronze Extra Light 12 String Guitar Strings (those Have Brass Plated Trebles the AC210T Strings have Tin Plated Trebles).
Αll excellent advice for those who are not very familiar with 12 string guitars. A wonderful instrument if you are fully aware of its difficult idiosyncratic nature and character and commited to overcome those difficulties and sound really good even if you only play simple open chords on it. And something I would like to add about the possibilities of a 12 string guitar, is that you can economize on your fingering, if you like. Thus, a triad played on a 12 string, can sound like a full six note chord played on a six string guitar.
Justin i made a derrogotive comment about 5 months about talking too long and easy to play tuts, i was forgetting not everyone can play guitar, You just taght me something about tuning a 12 string by tweaking the top 2 strings slightly out of tune.
I appologise mate
anthony jonson And you sir are very ignorant, have a nice day
anthony jonson He apologized, there is no reason for that whatsoever.
character development right here
Victor Jones that is the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard. How many incredible bands have their been with guitarists who can't sing. By your logic the only type of guitarist that should exist is a singer songwriter.
Victor Jones that's good advice if the only thing you want out of guitar is to go to parties and play 3 chord pop songs to impress your dumb friends
Thank you, I follow your courses but I randomly found this video hearing different models of 12 strings. I'm on my way to get myself a 12 string Takamine for Christmas. So excited! 🤩
Justin, I would like to personally thank your for all your extremely informative youtube videos. You are indeed an asset to youtube and to the guitar community. I have learned so much from your videos and made me enjoy learning/playing the guitar because of your great instructional videos. You are an inspiration. Thank you!!! Gus L.
Gorgeous guitar Justin.
I've just bought a Yamaha DW-4S-12 second-hand and it's now tuned in thanks to your lesson.
Please release a how to video on how to play that song at the beginning!
Winsto25 CZcams has playback option to slow it down.
this guitar sounds Holy
My uncle eddy passed away about 2 weeks ago, he lived around most of my family in PEI while me and my family are in Toronto, I went to visit last week and on the last day there we went to see my uncle eddy's old home. My great aunts and uncles had told me that they were trying to get rid of all if his stuff. I walked around and looked at all of his instruments as we both had a LARGE interest in music it being his entire life. My great aunts and uncles saw me looking at them and offered me his 12
Best practical advice on 12 string guitars right here.
A friend just gave me a 12 string last night. I've always loved the sound. I hope I can play it soon. Wish me luck
Nice looking guitar. As a guitar tech, I get asked all the time about tuning for a 12 string. Its sooo easy, so I finally posted a video for those who need to know how.
Have a great day!
Justin, as ever you are Da Mang! That's my Yank slang for, well...you get the drift. Just got my first 12 string and you're where I went first for some sage advice on making this lovely lady sing her siren song. Thanks for all you do!
Thank you for this- I'm so grateful you took the time to explain the basics of the 12 string- helped me a lot!
Hard to believe I remember this video when you first released it. 12 years go by in the blink of an eye. I didn't pull the trigger on this guitar then...I really wish I had. They are $4500 now 😭😭
This is a really useful video . My 12 stringer is a dust collector most of the time !! Your comments gave me food for thought ! Particularly about dropping the tuning. Thanks
Just pickup a 12 banger from a pawn shop. It was hard to tune but thanks to you I GOT IT DONE! Thanks man.
Thank you, sir! Been enjoying your videos for a while. They are a lasting testament to someone who loves what they do, loves music, and loves sharing his gift. I've been playing 20 years, but the trick to staying good is always being a good student, and you've taught me plenty. Many thanks. Amazingly, never had a 12 string, just played the sweetest one in a store and felt like I had picked up a new kind of magical instrument. I think I must get one, and your walk through makes it much less intimidating to maintain - thank you!
As someone who plays a 12 string (my absolute favorite guitar to play), my advice is this. Get it setup professionally by someone who knows 12 strings. Ideally with a low action, but make sure that if nothing else, the strings are all right about the same action. The biggest interest killer in 12 string guitars (and guitars in general) isn't the extra strings, it's the bad setup that was done at the factory. When I was auditioning 12 strings, I play a lot of them. Some were fairly decent from the factory, others were absolute nightmares to play. I had my 12 string setup and it's an absolute gem to play. I've had (non-setup) 6 strings that were harder to play than my 12.
Absolutely agree with Justin on his take that this is not a beginner's instrument. However, I fell in love with the instrument on my first day of music class when I was in 1st grade when my teacher did the Country Roads course John Denver put our on her 12 string. It' been a long time, but since then, but if that's the sound you want, there is nothing else like it and it really isn't that much more difficult to play if you have your basic shapes down. My adjustment period took about 20 minutes, but YMMV.
I think this is funny in a way I ALWAYS play tuned down a full tone and capoed match the other guitars, I got this from a biology teacher in high school( 20 years ago lol) but it seems NOBODY around here ever uses this. Second thing is I agree this is not a beginners instrument but about 2 months into my lessons I picked up my Bio teacher's and found it easy to play and I fell in love so my advice is if you like the sound and want to play go for it you won't regret it!
just got a diy doubleneck 6/12. Never had or tuned a 12 string but have played a few. you've put me at ease on tuning 'er up and I really appreciate it. Man........I'll bet the truss rod'll be sweatin' peach seeds for a loooong time-lol
I LOVE my 12-string Takamine F385.
When playing with other people, I find a clip on headstock tuner or amp tuner to be indispensable. (A clip on tuner senses neck vibration, unlike a microphone-based tuner.) Nobody wants to hear somebody tell them "Quiet, guys; I have to tune up," while they tweak 12 strings a few times apiece. I find that a $10 Snark, Planet Waves, or Intellitouch tuner can tune a 12-string fast, even in a noisy room.
My sister gave me a beautiful Washburn Cumberland which I haven't played. Why? Because I didn't think I could tune it! After watching your video, it's tuned and I'm jamming away! Thanks, JustinGuitar!!
Bought a 1974 Höfner, secondhand of course, and it needed a shim under the neck joint. So glad it has a removable neck! And I want to make a 6 string Spanish guitar neck fit into that slot as well, for it is nice to have such neck swapping options. When I will have gathered enough courage, I will glue the bridge in place. Some of the glue has passed away, so these two bolts hold on like heroes, really doing great, but I want things solid. So, this guitar needed some TLC, and it is absolutely worth it, it sounds lovely! And talking about setup, it has a zero fret, which I like a lot. Action is nice and low up the neck, but I'm still fine tuning the neck angle, this guitar was not used a long time, it is still settling under string tension, but my gut feeling say it will be okay, one day. Besides, I got large hands, I can have some action, you don't want buzz playing very loud, anyway.
Have you ever played a flamengo guitar? I repaired one, a cheap one, but the sound was fantastic. Playing quiet, playing loud, it does everything very good. But it needs a bit of action, in return. So be it.
And now I need to practice, I already noticed one needs pretty accurate picking, the gap between the strings is small. Before you know it, you play three strings. It's good Justin mentions these problems. However, the solution is taking time and practise, I guess. My solution to the harder playing two strings at a time, is buying rather light gauge strings. Sure you can tune down to D tuning, but with lighter gauge I can handle E tuning easily. Besides, I get intonation issues, tuning down. Don't you? It all depends on what strings the bridge was made for. You can file a bridge to perfect intonation, but a different brand and type of strings, or even tuning down can destroy your perfect intonation, you'll need to adjust the bridge again when you buy different strings. Sad but true.
To all other 12 string newbies, GOOD LUCK and have fun!
What song do you play when you first demonstrate finger style? It sounds awesome.
My first guitar was 12 stringer, can't help which guitar I fell in love with.
Hi Justin, good work. Wish you'd mentioned how great they sound capoed higher up the neck, a bit mandolin-like . The only problem is if you have worn-out or poor quality strings the intonation can be a bit iffy .
Try at fret 7 , then play along to Here comes the Sun, Hotel California, Midnight Rambler, Scarboro Fair,& The Sound of Silence for starters .
Lucky sod having a Maton!
Cheers, Nige .
my first guitar i learned on was a 12 string fender acoustic, i taught myself online with Justin's lessons and marty's, it was harder, but it was well worth the frustration in the end.
Thank you I never had 12 string now I want one! Good job thank you for all your hard work!
I’ve been playing guitar for 50 years and just got my first 12 string. I used the Black mountain thumb pick. It’s the only one that works for me.
Come on Justin, it's about time you make a Lesson on colour of you. You know we want it! I come here from time to time to see how you play it but it's not enough 😅
Most 12 string guitars I’ve played just never seemed to get you to where you would think it would take you, but your 12 string sounds great! I also dig the tune you were playing! Rock on
Please teach us the Intro...
Thank you so much! it only took me about 8 minutes into your video to get this thing tuned. very informative!👍
Justin: I am not used to a 12 String guitar I just got this yesterday.
I haven't done a whole lot of fingerstyle on this and I find it a bit awkward.
12:00
Also Justin: Proceeds to play one of the most beautiful noodling I've ever listened to fingerstyle.
I love his humility.
I recently got my first 12-string guitar, and after about a week, I tuned it down a full step, mainly because the reduced tension makes it easier to play. I was experiencing hand fatigue even though I was used to playing a dreadnaught with medium gauge strings. The downside is that you lose a little volume and projection, but it still sounds quite good.
William Hagen 'Soon'? Mine has been tuned to E for 41 years and no neck reset in sight.
Have loved 12 string since Rooftop Singers did Walk Right In. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. There are a lot of 12s on commercial tunes that people don't hear but think " they have a good sound". Thanks for a video on a great instrument.
That's fantastic! I was curious about the 12 string. I'm a beginning guitar player but was curious about it and you did a wonderful job of explaining it! Thank you!
I know that it’s late to the show. Ha
Thank you for your great Sir.
I’ve been wanting a 12 string guitar for some time now and you just answered those questions that needed answering.
It appears as though I’ll be getting one for the new year.
Thanks again for a great post.
All the best Mate!
Cheers!!
Wow, Justin! Never having played a 12-string guitar, I had sooo many questions about them, and in this short video you managed to answer them all! Tuning, picking, etc. Thank you!
Justin try the LR baggs pickups and LR baggs saturation pedal. Also, what you want to say is an e and the e and octave higher on the smaller string. It's not really a high e and low e. First four are and octave higherand last two are the same. That is the whole reason for playing a 12, because it sounds like two guitars at once. Kind of like setting one guitar with a capo and one without and then matching the chords up. Done all the time. So many people don't understand the tuning trick on the twelve string guitar and never unlock the beauty of the instrument because they just tune all the strings to the same note, like on the 6 string. Best William
Very nice video! I picked up several tips and tricks. He speaks well and explains things well; first class !
nice chat on the 12 string. I have a 45 year old Giannini Craviola in the shop getting the neck re-set and I can't wait to get her back...The tension over the years was too much for the ol' gal...
The best teacher I've ever seen.
Hi Justin,
Thank you very much for those tips for the 12 string guitar.
very helpful!
4 months ago i got a 12 string Eko guitar and it plays indeed a lot different, it's a bit like beginning at square 1again.
but if you got hte tuning right the sound is beautiful!
thanks for the video.
thanks, been play 12 string many years, alot you show I did know. that way you tune the b's and e's ,wow what a revaluation . when I did that all I could say for a few minutes was cooool !.
My ibanze Ael2012 is such a beautiful 12 string guitar, to me anyways. It is by far my favorite guitar to play. Its got a built in tuner for easy tuning and a built in pre amp which makes it sound wonderful through my fender pro reverb. I just love playing it.
Bugger me that Maton sounds incredible and looks gorgeous! The Judith Durham of guitars!
Thanks Justin, just bought a Taylor 12-string, well here go's to time learning how to play it!
Looove that song you're playing in the beginning. I'm still learning how to tune my 12 string.. its so confusing. Spent 40 yrs playing 6 strings. I sure hopes this helps me. Time to watch the rest.
Melanie it's so easy . If you can tune the 6 string than no worries , you can tune 12 strings the thinner strings are just the octive above . But just hit the same both strings together so the waver of the sound will be off it will waiver. Just wind the higher string until the sound comes into one straight hum. But just make sure the regular 6 strings are in tune A 440 or any tunage you want at that time , either open cord like, open "G", Open "B", or Open "A" and so on and so on. Just make sure the regular 6 strings are in tune first of all to give you what ever tuning you want. All you have to do it make sure the thinner string comes into tune with the regular string you are tuning at that time. Just make sure the thin string that is with either one of the 6 strings either low E ,A,D,G,B,High E. just make sure the thin string beside each regular string rings in tune with that string your tuning with. It's just a little tricky just trying to hit the thinner string without hitting anything else to hear the waver clearly. But it really is simple. ounce you get used to it. after awhile you will get used to open tuning with out harmonics or straight tuning with one finger down at the 7th fret or 12 fret to the 7th fret. There are many ways of tuning the best you can. Plus it all boils down to if your guitar is intonated well because some guitars have problems with the "D" & "G" strings when tuning usually because the intonation is out. But just make sure all the thin strings that are with one of each 6 strings . Just make sure when you hit both of them alone together and make sure the sound waiver is straight, one constant hum. Not if it is waivering up and down. Bring it together until it does not waiver anymore. Do that for every one of the six strings with the thin one's as well and you should have you12 in tune.
Mikey Micstar Sprunt / High School Drop -Outs Wow.. awesome tips. I don't have a problem hitting strings together it was just the octave thing. You did mention the 12th fret.. is that an octave higher? Can the first 4 skinny strings be tuned by the 12th fret being hit on the heavier strings? Thankfully the last 2 set of strings are tuned the same! I've barely played this guitar. I said forget it. And the neck is soooo heavy lol. But it's gorgeous and I've always wanted one!! Its time!!
Hey there. Yes to the 12th fret if you are tuning regular 440 or lower . Allot of 12 strings are tuned in 335 because it's less strain on the neck. But what ever you tune to the higher string gets tuned together with the thicker. But here is what your asking I think. If you tune your guitar from the very start to get the normal 6 strings in tune you can do it many different ways. But the way your asking is for every string you tune on the regular 6. just say your doing the low "E" you hit the harmonic at the twelfth fret open and hit the "A" string with your finger pushing down on the "A"string on the 7th fret and you hit the harmonic open and right after the "A" string with your finger down on the 7th fret one right after the other and listen for the waver of the harmonic and the note and make the waver blend together so it just is a hum not anymore wavering, make it so it is a straight flow then do the same with the "A" String & the "D" string next the "D" & the "G" next "G" & "B" then "B" & High "E" the only difference is on the "G"&"B" your finger pushes down on the "B" String on the 8th fret instead of like the others at the 7th fret. it's only when you tune the "G"&"B" always the lower string which is always the the string above the other or the thicker string is hit harmonically at the twelfth fret and push your finger down on the higher string which is thinner which is below the "G" string, put your finger down on the 8th fret on the 2nd string. And if you want to do it that way , it can be sometimes a little tricky trying to just hit the one string at a time between the thicker strings and the thinner ones. because you want to make sure you get each string nice and clear so you can tune by the wavering of the notes combined together to bring the waver to just a straight note between both notes that you hit. There are different ways of tunning. Actually you can look for the on you tube . different tuning ways. good luck. keep up the faith!!! forever.
Mikey Micstar Sprunt / High School Drop -Outs Oh my gosh.. I'm going to have to read that over and over. Wow.. so complicated.. lol. Guess it's going to take me a bit. Thank you soooo much for your help and taking the time to explain it all. I mean it can't be that difficult. I think I'm over complicating things as usual. And I'm just using a guitar tuner app cause the tuner thingy that came with it, well I had no idea what those numbers meant and where to go with that. Whew, makes me swet just thinking about it lol. Yikes!!
You tube has tones of different tuning, just type in "12 string guitar tuning" and lots will come up to choose from that shows you every different way of tuning your twelve. It seems complicated because I described , Well tried to describe two different styles of picking into one parragragh. But just type in what i said. You Tube has every type of tuning there is just check all the vids to choose from and find the best one that suits you. You can follow them showing you everything string by string and just hit your string in tune with the guy in the vid and you'll be in tune. I tried, Good Luck
Best guitar teacher by a million miles
Just got a lovely Ovation 12 string. New to the 12 so this has some nice tips , so many just say oh! Its just double notes but of course it's much more than just that . Your tune btw is awesome. Thank you for all your lessons advice and assistance.
I have absolutely fallen in love with my 12-string Fender and it most definitely will be my go to. Would it be practical to practice my spider finger warm ups on my 12-string or should I continue to practice it on my 6-string. I will probably be using my 12-string for 90% of my gigs and open mics now. Picking on the 12-stings during the spider exercise feels clumsy. Thoughts?
Well, you still need accuracy and you *will* benefit from it. No use to practice it for hours and hours but putting a bit of accurracy exercises in your practice now and then wouldn't hurt? I reckon you'll be doing mostly chord work so expanding your chord knowledge on a 12 string will help you sounding lush , like this one for example: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/lush-acoustic-chords-w-drone-strings-1-ca-001 | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Assistant
@@justinguitar thank you so. Love those lush sounds. There are heavenly. Exactly what I wanted.
If you want to get into using a thumb-pick, buy 5 or so and experiment with filing them down.
As supplied they are usually much too big and tangle in the strings
After playing 6 string and 12 string guitars for close to 40+ years, the 1st thing that I do with every new instrument is to install brass bridge pins. If you've never used brass, the sound will AMAZE you!
I played a 12 yamaha many years and always tuned to A 440. Interesting video, Justin.
It is now 2020 so yea, I'm a little late however, for those just starting out or thinking about your first 12 string, don't be put off by the very detailed explanation that Justin is giving here. He is technically correct but I've been playing 12 string for years and never used anything but standard tuning. Also, although tuning a 12 string is a bit tedious, it tunes like any other guitar and you will quickly get a feel for tuning one string without hitting the other. Justin is great and I watch his videos all the time, It just seems that this video is a bit over complicated
I always tune my 12 string guitar a whole step down, but I also find it necessary to use a heavier set of strings because of this. Tuning down the very light set of strings most people put on their 12 string guitars, means tuning accuracy problems especially on the lower strings. With a 12 to 54 set, accurate tuning is a lot easier and the guitar sounds louder too.
This is an old video, but I'll comment anyway. I have played 12 strings since 1970 and love them. I prefer the Jumbo size. I always used the 10-47 size strings at standard tuning, but lately discovered the 12-52. I've tuned down to Eb (D#) and it works very well. I love the sound (always mindful of stress problems). For fingerpicking, I use a thumb pick and metal finger picks.
The first guitar i bought was a 12 string at a garage sale in 7th grade for 75$. Still need to work on it but i absolutely love it
Watching this again for the 2nd or 3rd time...great video...thanks so much!
Just bought a 12 string and this video was a godsend, cheers Justin!
Good tips on tuning there thanks Justin!
Man, that guitar sounds awsome! Sure good players can make the best of any guitar, but I bet this one is a joy to play.
that guitar sounds really nice justin i don,t think a lot people detune because the modern 12 string guitar is built for 12 strings and use a capo . that guitar sounds great
"The Wizard" by Uriah Heep is a great tuned down a step 12 string guitar song. And the low "D" strings are tuned down to "C"
Glad I found this video....looking at twelve strings..you've answered all my questions...thanks
That guitar sounds awesome...
I enjoy your video very much and found it informative.
What you said about tuning the B and E strings slightly off is really interesting and may not be as unconventional as some might think. At least two harmonica companies Hohner and Seydel turn their tremolos with the first reed at a standard pitch and the second a tiny bit higher.
I also love the sound of your Maton. The octaves are well pronounced. Some 12-strings aren't (including some of the high-end).
Nice lesson Justin. Video was very informative and you play great. I just ordered my Guild . can't wait to get it.
I don't think 12 string guitar manufacturers would build guitars that would have a problem being tuned to standard tuning. Unless you like tuning down and capoing, I would just tune it to standard tuning. That being said, try experimenting with alternate tunings. They sound great on a 12 string!
Just got my father in law's Ovation 1615 refurbished. It sounds amazing.