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GHS Strings.com) Article by Richard Gilewitz about tuning a 12-string. Tips on tuning a 12-string guitar When tuning my 12-string guitar I generally like to have an electronic tuner available. I usually use this more as a checking device, so that I can continue my ear training, which sometimes can be lost when relying exclusively on a tuner. I prefer to tune the instrument down at least one whole step from standard tuning -- often times 1-1/2 steps or even 2 full steps depending on the action (the height of strings from the guitar fingerboard). This is to reduce tension on the neck. I also feel that a 12 string is a more powerful rhythmic instrument and roars better when pitched down. If your standard tuning is registering from low to high: E A D G B E then pitched down one full step would register on the tuner D G C F A D. Remember too, strings 1 and 2 have a pair of unison strings (same string) and 3 through 6 have octave strings above. The octave strings are exactly that. OCTAVE strings. So if your 3rd string is a G then the little octave string above is also a G (or in the pitched down one-step version, both would be F's). My method of tuning tends to start with the 1st and 2nd unison stringstuned first. I then follow with string 3 on up to 6, checking the lowstring with either a matched unison or octave string on one of thehigher strings. For example, once I have string pairs 1 and 2 tuned andI am ready to check the 3rd string, I will check the open G against the1st string, 3rd fret. Then I'll match the 3rd string, 4th fret againstthe 2nd string open (comparing B's). Keep in mind my explanation hereuses note names 'pretending' we are not pitched down. Once string 3 isin, I will match its 'octave' and continue on through 6. Once you have completed this process you should start all over again.Remember that guitars go out of tune for a living! Especially if theyhave new strings. You may want to run your left-hand finger along thestring while pulling the string slightly away from the guitar with yourright hand. This will help stretch the string and make tuning easier,allowing the string to stay in place sooner. Check the feel of the instrument by testing very slowly with a fewchords. Take your time. And listen. Use your electronic tuner at thispoint to check everything. (When starting I usually use the tuner toput the first note in tune as a reference point). Lately I have been using GHS Golden Bronze strings, which work well with both magnetic or piezo pickups, especially when combined with a nicemicrophone for additional ambiance (the GHS Soundhold Mic is a goodchoice). I generally use a light gauge set ranging from 12-54 with an 11for the 3rd octave, 16 for the 4th octave, 22 WOUND! for the 5th octave, and 30 wound for the 6th octave. Also, you may want to consider theideal combination of the new GHS magnetic pickup with the White Bronzeset. Phosphor Bronze is also a nice choice and for a more mellow,sweeter tone, give the Silk and Steel a try. Best of luck. Richard Gilewitz (c)May 2002 |
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