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.

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.

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 extra 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.

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.

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.

12 String Guitars | guitarguitar

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

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£749.00 £879.00

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Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

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£769.00 £958.80

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Fender CD-140SCE 12 String Natural

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£399.00

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Yamaha APX700II 12 String Black

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£769.00 £958.80

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Fender CD-60SCE-12 Natural Walnut Fingerboard

(10)

£319.00

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Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT Natural High Gloss

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£279.00 £329.00

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Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

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£1,099.00 £1,353.60

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Yamaha FG820-12 Natural 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

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£429.00 £513.60

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Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany

£2,299.00 £3,034.80

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Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

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£349.00 £389.00

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Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

£850.00

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Faith Naked Venus 12 String

(1)

£649.00 £759.00

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Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT

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£589.00

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Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

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£2,999.00 £3,299.00

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Sigma DM12-SG5 12 String

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£635.00

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Takamine EF381SC 12 String Electro Acoustic Black Gloss

£1,299.00

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Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

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£499.00

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Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12 String Electric White

(3)

£699.00 £789.00

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Schecter Orleans Studio-12 Satin See Thru Black

£689.00

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Tanglewood TW612CEAVB Electro Acoustic 12 String Venetian Cutaway Autumn Vintage Burst

£449.00 £479.00

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New Arrival

Tanglewood Blackbird TB412CE

£299.00

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Nearly New

Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce Wild Honey Burst (Nearly New) #1211013093

£2,999.00 £4,919.00

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Ex-Demo

Yamaha LL1612ARE 12 String Natural (Ex-Demo) #ILY270629

£999.00 £1,099.00

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Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

£869.00 £1,138.80

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Taylor 352ce Grand Concert 12 Fret 12 String

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£1,799.00 £2,199.00

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Taylor 454ce 12-String Natural

£1,999.00 £2,999.00

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Taylor 454ce 12-String Natural #1203195043

£1,999.00 £2,999.00

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Taylor 362ce Grand Concert

£2,399.00

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Taylor 362ce Grand Concert #1208234057

£2,399.00

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Taylor 454ce Next Generation

£2,549.00 £3,058.80

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Taylor 254ce Plus Grand Auditorium

£1,399.00 £1,678.80

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Taylor Somos 250ce Plus BLK Doce Doble Dreadnought

£1,499.00 £1,798.80

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Taylor Somos 150ce Doce Doble 12-string Dreadnought

£949.00 £1,138.80

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Taylor NAMM Limited Edition 354ce Studio Grand Auditorium Honeyburst

£1,999.00 £2,564.00

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Taylor 50th Anniversary 858e Grand Orchestra Limited Edition (Pre-Owned)

£3,149.00

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Taylor 2022 254ce Plus Grand Auditorium (Pre-Owned) #2208274415

£1,049.00

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Vintage Fret Dancer Acoustic 12-String

£239.00 £299.00

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Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

£775.00

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Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

£829.00

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Martin Grand J16E 12 String

£2,549.00

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12 String Guitars

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

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

Fender CD-140SCE 12 String Natural

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Black

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Natural Walnut Fingerboard

Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT Natural High Gloss

Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

Yamaha FG820-12 Natural 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany

Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

Faith Naked Venus 12 String

Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

Sigma DM12-SG5 12 String

Takamine EF381SC 12 String Electro Acoustic Black Gloss

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12 String Electric White

Schecter Orleans Studio-12 Satin See Thru Black

Tanglewood TW612CEAVB Electro Acoustic 12 String Venetian Cutaway Autumn Vintage Burst

Tanglewood Blackbird TB412CE

Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce Wild Honey Burst (Nearly New) #1211013093

Yamaha LL1612ARE 12 String Natural (Ex-Demo) #ILY270629

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

Taylor 352ce Grand Concert 12 Fret 12 String

Taylor 454ce 12-String Natural

Taylor 454ce 12-String Natural #1203195043

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert #1208234057

Taylor 454ce Next Generation

Taylor 254ce Plus Grand Auditorium

Taylor Somos 250ce Plus BLK Doce Doble Dreadnought

Taylor Somos 150ce Doce Doble 12-string Dreadnought

Taylor NAMM Limited Edition 354ce Studio Grand Auditorium Honeyburst

Taylor 50th Anniversary 858e Grand Orchestra Limited Edition (Pre-Owned)

Taylor 2022 254ce Plus Grand Auditorium (Pre-Owned) #2208274415

Vintage Fret Dancer Acoustic 12-String

Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

Martin Grand J16E 12 String

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