12 String Guitars

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About 12 String Guitars

12 string guitars fit in almost any style of music. They are a great way to add that extra special touch to a song or to give it totally a unique sound. They have been used for decades on countless hit records by bands such as The Eagles, Queen, Tom Petty and Alice In Chains. The rich sound they produce is certianly unlike anything else.

Nearly all the major acoustic guitar brands produce 12 string models, showing they are just as popular now as when they gained popularity in the 1970s. We have models available from Taylor, Takamine, Epiphone, Fender, Cole Clark, Sigma and Ibanez, plus many others. These range from entry models to top range editions, with many of them featuring electronics for full versatility.

Whether you finally want to learn the intro to Hotel California or feel like taking your songwriting in a new direction, a 12 string acoustic guitar is a great addition for any player.

Why Should I Choose a 12 String Guitar?

A distinctive sound that sets it apart from other guitars
Used on many professional recordings to add that "magic touch"
A familiar feel to guitarists
Good as a vocal accompaniment

Frequently Asked Questions about 12 String Guitars

Question: Which is the best body size for a good 12 string acoustic sound?

The majority of 12 string acoustic guitar bodies are dreadnought shapes. This is because the bigger size and greater projection works particularly well with the extra harmonic information from the strings to produce a loud, full and satisfying sound. The general rule is essentially the bigger the better, so you'll find some great 12 string acoustics like the Alvarez AJ80CE featuring a larger Jumbo body size. There are exceptions such as the Taylor 352CE 12 string, which has been designed specifically to produce a large and beautiful sound with a smaller Grand Concert body shape.

Question: How is a 12 string guitar tuned?

The normal tuning for a twelve string involves tuning the secondary string on the lower four strings an octave higher than its partner, so the two bottom strings are both tuned to E with the thinner string being one octave higher than the thicker one. This carries through until we reach the upper B and E strings, which are tuned in unison. The tuning going from low to high looks like this: E (+1 octave), E, A (+1 octave), A, D (+1 octave), D, G (+1 octave), G, B, B, E, E. All standard guitar tuners will recognise these pitches so you should be fine to use whichever you prefer.

Question: Are 12 string guitars more difficult to play?

There is a little period of adjustment when learning to play two strings at once instead of one. Plus there is a good deal more tension across the strings which may make holding down barre chords slightly more difficult for a little while. Thankfully, your hands will quickly grow accustomed to the changes and the resulting tones are more than worth the small adjustments required.

Question: Why choose a 12 string acoustic guitar rather than a 6 string acoustic guitar?

Most players considering a 12 string acoustic guitar already own a regular 6 string. The 12 string is a popular choice both as an alternative to the standard 6 string as well as an additional option for creating new sounds. Solo performers may enjoy the fuller sound it gives to accompany their vocals while others use it as a fresh approach to writing and creating music.

Question: What is Nashville tuning?

Nashville tuning is a special tuning that uses only the higher strings from a twelve string guitar, ignoring the 'normal' strings. Nashville tuning gets its name from lots of Country music producers who use guitars specially strung and tuned to that specific tuning to add sparkle and dimension to their recordings. It is relatively normal to see 12 string guitars in studios with half of their strings removed to achieve this sound. Both 6 string and 12 string acoustic and electric guitars can utilise Nashville tuning if careful tuning and selection of string gauge is used.

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Fender CD-60SCE-12 Natural Walnut Fingerboard

Epiphone DR-212 Dreadnought 12 String Natural

Martin X Series DX2E12STRING Sitka Spruce/Mahogany

Fender CD-140SCE 12 String Natural

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12CE Dreadnought Cutaway 12-String

Tanglewood TW12 CE Winterleaf 12 String Acoustic

Taylor 254ce Grand Auditorium

Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce Grand Concert Wild Honey Burst

Fender Villager 12-String V3 Jet Black

Alvarez AJ80CE-12 Jumbo 12 String

Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought 12-String

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12CEBK Dreadnought 12 String Black

Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird 12-String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

Taylor 150e Dreadnought

Faith Naked Venus 12 String

Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

Takamine P3DC-12

Recording King Dirty 30's 12 String Dreadnought

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

Taylor 562ce Grand Concert All-Mahogany Shaded Edgeburst

Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Black

Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

Takamine EF381SC 12 String Electro Acoustic Black Gloss

Takamine PTU141C 12 String Tobacco Sunburst

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

D'Angelico Premier Fulton Aged Mahogany

Takamine GD30CE-12-BLK 12 String Black

Taylor 2009 354CE Grand Auditorium 12 String (Pre-Owned)

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12 String Electric White

Ibanez AW5412CE Open Pore Natural Artwood

Martin Grand J16E 12 String

Takamine TSP158C12S-BL Thinline 12-String Transparent Black

Takamine TSP158C12S-TR Thinline 12-String Transparent Red

Alvarez Yairi DY70CE12 Standard 12 String Dreadnought Natural Gloss

Alvarez Yairi DY70CE12SHB Standard 12 String Dreadnought Shadowburst Gloss

Cole Clark FL 2 E 12 String Blackwood/Blackwood 12 String

About 12 String Guitars

Why Should I Choose a 12 String Guitar?

Frequently Asked Questions about 12 String Guitars

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