Author: Lachlan Bush Date Posted:12 November 2020
Tuning a 12-string guitar is a little more complicated than tuning a regular 6-string. There are twice as many strings and a lot more tension on the guitar. You may find you'll need to tune it a few times over before you get it right because, by the time you finish the first round of tuning, the tension on the neck will have increased, making the first few strings you tuned sound flat.
A common problem with 12-string guitars is that the higher octave G string is prone to breakage. This is due to the high tension on the string to reach the high pitch. There are a couple of ways to stop this:
1. Tune the G string gradually. Don't wind it all the way up straight away.
2. Use a higher gauge string (9 instead of an 8)
3. Rub a graphite pencil against the string groove of the nut. This will provide some lubrication and stop breakage from friction.
4. Tune the whole guitar down a Tone/Semitone. The lower tension will make your G string last a little longer
It's difficult to avoid altogether, so we recommend always carrying a few spares! You can pick up a set here, or just grab a pack of singles here.
When the strings are different thicknesses, then you tune an octave apart (Low E,A,D,G)
When the strings are the same thickness, you tune in unison (B and High E)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Thanks for reading our report! For even more great content, check out our pages.
Join our newsletter for tips, advice, new products, and great deals
Visit our YouTube channel for some great demos & Tutorials
Our Facebook page for updates, specials and more
I hope this article has helped. If you need any assistance, please email:
sales@artistguitars.com.au or call us on 1300 489 816
© Artist Guitars 2020
We started Artist Guitars with a simple belief: quality instruments shouldn't cost the earth. By working directly with our manufacturing partners and selling straight to you, we skip the traditional retail markups that inflate prices. Need expert advice? We’ve got you covered. Our team of musicians is here to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Read what the Artist Community have to say.
Need more info? You can find it here.
In stock products are dispatched from our warehouse just outside of Yennora within one business day of purchase. To get an estimate for shipping to your post code please use the Shipping Time Estimator on the product listing.
Drop us an email with your order number and a short explanation for why you'd like to return your purchase. We'll organise a return label for you to print and attach to the box then either drop into your local post office or we can arrange a courier collection if necessary.
If your item arrives damaged we have you covered! Just contact our Customer Happiness team at sales@artistguitars.com.au and we'll arrange a return and replacement for you as soon as possible.
All orders placed on our Australian website are dispatched directly from our local warehouse in Yennora, Sydney (NSW). This ensures fast, reliable delivery right across Australia.
You should receive an order confirmation shortly after you've placed your order. If you haven't received one, please contact us at sales@artistguitars.com.au and we'll look into it for you.
We sell direct to consumer! This helps us keep the cost of our products as low as possible and we pass those savings into our customers which is why our guitars are unbeatable value.
New Zealand
United Kingdom
