[boolio]

Hi Everyone,

I just bought a second hand Ibanez 12 string (unusually made from ash!!??) and wow, it's heavy!!

Anyways it needs re stringing and maybe a set up - Just wondering has anyone got any nuggets of advice regarding 12 strings...? maybe  specifically with regard to tuning I'm  thinking it might be a good idea to drop tune it to ease the tension and maybe ease playability?

Any thoughts most welcome 

Cheers Phil

[CaliaMoko]

I've had one 12-string or another for years. I've always been told to tune it one full step low to reduce pressure on the neck and keep the body from bellying up. I haven't always done that.

I recently had to have the body of my current 12-string reinforced, as it could no longer be tuned due to both the neck being curved and the body being bellied up. To be fair, it's a cheap 12-string. Some are likely built to withstand the pressure.

I wonder if the manufacturer would answer that question for you? It may make a difference which model you have. I usually have good luck getting information from manufacturers.

Vicki

[Boydie]

Congratz on the purchase

Most modern 12 strings are built to cope with concert pitch as long as you are sensible with string gauge

You could drop tune by a half/whole step and use a capo to effectively make a new nut so you can play in concert pitch

The string tension will be a bit easier but there is a trade off as the neck is likely to be a bit wider/deeper at the 2nd fret so it may be a little uncomfortable

I would suggest having a play with it at concert pitch first to see how it feels and then play with a capo at the 2nd fret to see how the neck feels with "open" chords around this area

A good compromise might be a lighter gauge of string and stay with concert pitch (or tune a half step down)

[Ramshackles]

If it was designed to take normal tuning and thats how you like it then use that tuning. If you unnecessarily tune lower, the intonation will be comprised (This isnt necessarily bad, after all we use plenty of different tunings on guitars all the time...). if you are unsure I would look up the model or write to Ibanez. I would imagine some of the heaviness might come from extra reinforcement. It is usually older models that are designed to be tuned a tone or two lower. I would imagine an Ibanez is intended to be tuned at concert pitch - although check with them!

String 12 string - I string in pairs and work from the middle out - D, G, A, B, low E, top E.

Also check which octave comes first. On most 12 strings, the high octave precedes the low octave. On a few models this is reversed.

[boolio]

Vicki, Boydie, Ramshackles,

Thanks for all the advice guys The guitar seemed to be tuned down 3 steps when I purchased but when I tried to tune it back it became a 9 string!   but the strings were OLD!!

I think when available this guitar retailed for about £400-500 ish I paid WAY less but because it's not (or wasn't) the cheapest of the cheap and also because it looks absolutely gorgeous I think I am going to get it set up and the strings changed by a pro (maybe some elixr nano's) but I have to say also, man it's heavy!


The onboard electrics on this model are supposed to be good too so I cannot wait to give it a blast....anyway thanks again for the pointers - based on which I guess dependant on playability when I get it back I may tune to d and capo accordingly

Anyway when I do finally get me 'ands on it I'll maybe report back. Cheers

[Neil C]

Great,
I've two Sigma 12 strings in use, they're great for improving left hand. I'd take to a guitar tech and with Boydie put some light strings starting at 10s and Bob should be your uncle. Both are easy to play and stay in tune, even the ebay £100 inc hard case.
Good luck
 
Neil

[boolio]

Cheers Neil,

I think there's a tiny typo in your post I think it should have been "I'm" not "and"  Anyways glad to hear you think my bargain may be a good project...if it isn't I'll hang it on the wall cos it looks good...well until Mrs Management see's it!