The Truth About 12-String Tuning

As a 12-string player, you spend a significant portion of your life tuning the thing. Truth is, it’s never completely in tune. If you trust an electronic tuner, you’re playing out-of-tune!

[@dbvetter7485]

I’ve never had trouble tuning my 12 string guitars (well not to much), my first guitar a brand new 1976 Takamine, 1993 rose morris Rickenbacker, 2022 D’Angelico. Sure it takes time, especially back in the 70’s with my Takamine (using the 5th fret method), which I had to it without an electronic tuner. I love 12 strings. I think it sounds better when they are a little out of tune. My Rickenbacker seems to never go out of tune. I’m 64 too and have been playing 12 strings since I was 16. 👍

[@GWGuitarStudio]

You have a point. When it’s perfect, it sounds out-of-tune.

[@kingrobert1st]

I'm 72 and I started on a 12 string at 17. I now own a custom which I had made in 1984. it has a fully compensated bridge saddle which keeps the intonation perfect.

[@d3dude]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. That explains so much. My Danelectro tuning is excellent except for the G string pair, and I have always had to tweak them compared to the tuner. This just gave me an easier way to get it sorted out.

[@freddysnewchannel8885]

Your sped up tuner is driving my dog nuts she's doing back flips, howling and barking all at the same time.

[@GWGuitarStudio]

I’d like to see a video of that!

[@RickCutter]

Gibson B45-12n '76 vintage, my one and only 12. I have 2 6string boxes. I keep them all at concert pitch. The Gibson does not like to travel It just came back from the luthier getting re-vitalized. Sure plays nice polished up shinny action where my old fingers work... Once I get it tuned - been a while. Thank You. The Gibson is a ‘67. dyslexic hits at times - rc

[@kelly3518]

Speaking of 12 string nightmares, how many beautiful decades-old 12 strings have bridges bowed up from years of too much tension. As I recall, back in the day, the common wisdom was that the guitar needed to be tuned down a step. To accompany somebody playing a six string you would capo the second fret. Or am I just imagining that? Haha!

[@GWGuitarStudio]

Yep. Check this one out- kzbin.info/www/bejne/iITPqoaVlsmMqZosi=hrFqM1CX359zwRex

[@TonyBurke100]

I just turned seventy and was feeling guilty about not playing every day I couldn't walk past any of my guitars without that guilty feeling so I bought an acoustic twelve string.which stopped the guilt but I'm spending hours tuning the bastard so I purchased a Snark tuner but even though the Snark tells me it's in tune WTF am I going to do? I know I'll pay Leo my local guitar tech @ the Guitar Jungle a pile of dough (all the pros go to him )and he'll fix it.

[@GWGuitarStudio]

The struggle is real.

[@derrickpewtner523]

Does the tuning depend on the make of guitars,,and why have you got 12 ,,,, 12 string acoustic guitars ???

[@GWGuitarStudio]

The make doesn’t really factor in. The differences in wood, body size, and scale length lend themselves to variations in tone. Some sound sweet and melodious, others sound deep and sonorous. Some are tuned down 1/2, 1 whole, or 1 1/2 steps low. Some are in standard and others in G tuning. Some are set up with string gauges from extra light to medium, depending on the style of music I use them for.

[@derrickpewtner523]

Surely different makes of guitars hold thire tuning better than some others ,,due too the nature of thire build quality ,,, ????

[@ratwynd]

12 player since 16, now 72. First guitar was a 12 string Framus. Currently four 12s. Tune all the primaries. Then tune the octave/pair. Then repeat. Primaries have lot more tension, change the octaves more. Trust your ear but buy a good tuner!

[@GWGuitarStudio]

Good approach.

[@dmc1321]

That's pretty much how I do it, use a tuner for the primaries, then tune the octaves to their mates by ear, then repeat the process a couple more times. By the third time it's usually just a few little tweaks to a couple strings and it's all good... I learned to tune double strings back in the early 80's on a 1978 B.C. Rich 10 String Electric guitar.

[@kingrobert1st]

Get yourself a decent tuner!

[@GWGuitarStudio]

I have used all kinds of them. None of them work well enough on a 12. My ears perceive incremental changes more discretely. If a person relies solely on a tuner, he’s likely playing out-of-tune most of the time.

[@kingrobert1st]

@@GWGuitarStudio I use 2 apps on my iPhone. Guitar Tuna which has 12 string in standard tuning and Guitar Tuner which has 6 string chromatic tuning for capo or open tuning. My 12 string is always spot on. Sometimes I tune it by ear just for the octave strings.

[@briankeenan4901]

Look it's Alec Baldwin!!! Don't aim that guitar at me!!

[@nashrust]

Even at high speed you don't tune the guitar correctly. That is a straight fail as a guitar tech. Get a good tuner. It is the slight differences in tuning that give the 12 string its richness, just like doubling vocals or anything else for that matter. The drug comment was correct though. See Ya!

[@GWGuitarStudio]

Tuner? “We don’t need no steenkin’ tuner!” After 50 years, I can pretty much tune without one. Thanks for watching.