12-String Guitar Tuning
ACJames
about 99% of the time it just sounds out of tune. I've got a pretty good
ear (two of 'em, in fact) and can keep my fleet of 6-string git-fiddles
in tune with out much trouble and can catch them before they get too bad,
but the 12-string, even with an electronic tuner, usually sounds,
well....rancid.
A friend tells me I need to consider "just" tuning as opposed to simple
octaves on the strings. Any truth to this? Is tuning a12-string somehow
different that tuning a 6-string?
thanks in advance....chris in seattle.
Majjick
writes:
> Is tuning a 12-string somehow different that tuning a 6-string?
No. The possibilities are:
- You have one or more dud strings, not uncommon with light-gauge strings
such as a 12-string needs. Check each string -- octave at 12th fret
against harmonic at 12th fret. If one or two are out, it's probably the
strings. Otherwise, see below.
- The action is too high, so that holding down a string pushes it out of
tune. In this case, you'll need to see a professional about getting
the action lowered.
- The neck is warped, or the instrument is badly fretted. In these cases,
a repair could be expensive, and you'll need to consider whether it's
worth it.
Why not take it into your local dealer and get an opinion?
Paul Magnussen
George Seifert
>
>I've had, and played, a Guild 12-stirng for years (like nearly 20?) and
>about 99% of the time it just sounds out of tune. I've got a pretty good
>ear (two of 'em, in fact) and can keep my fleet of 6-string git-fiddles
>in tune with out much trouble and can catch them before they get too bad,
>but the 12-string, even with an electronic tuner, usually sounds,
>well....rancid.
>
> A friend tells me I need to consider "just" tuning as opposed to simple
>different that tuning a 6-string?
No offense, but you could just have a crummy 12 string. I have a 12 string
Taylor that's a breeze to tune and stays in tune. You may need a new
saddle that compensates for the different string diameters. You might
try different gauge strings. I use a medium gauge set and tune down 3 half
steps. To me, 12 string guitars just sound better down there. A good
repair shop should be able to give you advice after seeing the guitar.
DA Eger
: I've had, and played, a Guild 12-stirng for years (like nearly 20?) and
: about 99% of the time it just sounds out of tune. I've got a pretty good
: ear (two of 'em, in fact) and can keep my fleet of 6-string git-fiddles
: in tune with out much trouble and can catch them before they get too bad,
: but the 12-string, even with an electronic tuner, usually sounds,
: well....rancid.
: A friend tells me I need to consider "just" tuning as opposed to simple
: octaves on the strings. Any truth to this? Is tuning a12-string somehow
: different that tuning a 6-string?
: thanks in advance....chris in seattle.
I don't know how well informed you are regarding our system of equal
temperament, which was standardized in Europe in the late 17th Century. It
effectively means that it's impossible to tune an instrument perfectly - my
6-string always sounds out of tune to me (if one chord is in tune, all the
others are slightly out) and there's nothing wrong with the intonation.
The only solution seems to be to use some sort of a compromise
tuning (which is essentially what equal temperament is), which you may wish
to adjust slightly according to the key you're playing in.
Obviously a 12-string is more likely to sound out than a 6-string,
since there are more notes sounding at once. Just make sure your octaves and
unisons are true, and take it from there. Don't bother with electronic
tuners - if you've got a good ear (or two) then use it (or them).
At the end of the day you just have to grit your teeth and bear it -
remember that most peoples ears are probably not as sharp as yours.
J.S. Bach got away with it.
You've probably already thought of all this many times over. I'm
sorry if I've been of no help - it's the best I can do.
Good Luck!
Corns.
mcre...@delphi.com
>I've had, and played, a Guild 12-stirng for years (like nearly 20?) and
>about 99% of the time it just sounds out of tune. I've got a pretty good
out of tune, but it CAN be brought in again. I've been told by friends who
also have Guilds that this is a generic tendency in Guilds.
Try this: Have someone else tune it, and see if a) THEY think it's bad, or
b) it still sounds bad to you.
Mary in Torrance, CA
Michael Robinson
: I've had, and played, a Guild 12-stirng for years (like nearly 20?) and
: about 99% of the time it just sounds out of tune. I've got a pretty good
: in tune with out much trouble and can catch them before they get too bad,
: but the 12-string, even with an electronic tuner, usually sounds,
: well....rancid.
: A friend tells me I need to consider "just" tuning as opposed to simple
: octaves on the strings. Any truth to this? Is tuning a12-string somehow
: different that tuning a 6-string?
Octaves are the same in just intonation and equal tempered.
Some people have built guitars that are in just intonation. Here is the
procedure:
1.) Decide on the one and only key in which you want to play your guitar.
2.) Move the frets to adjust the intonation. Note: You will not be able
to have a single straight fret for all the strings. The fret position
is different for each fret at each string (or in your case, each pair
of strings).
If you want to play in more than one key you might consult the writings of
Harry Partch. He came up with a system that can be used in any key and
is very close to just intonation. I think he had about 23 frets to the
octave.
Good luck
Michael