Need Help Tuning A 12-String

[Tony Facca]

Sorry if this has been hashed over in the past, I've joined the discussion
recently hoping to pickup (excuse the pun) a few pointers on 12-string
acoustic guitars.

I acquired an Epiphone 12 string guitar several years ago, the acoustic
sound of the instrument is beautiful, but several things have continued
to plague me:

1. I don't know how to tune it. The fellow I got it from had each pair
of strings tuned the same. This resulted in a "fuller" sound, but
not the harmony sounds I've heard. So, I took it to a local music
shop and had some long hair tune it up for me. He did a nice job
finding the sound I was after, but I wasn't able to keep it in tune
and once the strings stretched, it was all over, so I went back to
tuning them all equal.

The question: is there a "standard" way of tuning 12 string guitars?

I have an electronic tuner and can check harmonics, if that helps. Is
string length critical on acoustic guitars?

2. I'm looking for recommendations on a good brand of strings for this
type of guitar. I've tried a couple different brands and can't seem
to find a set which sounds good in all cases. I like to alternate
between picking with my fingers, using the pick on the bottom, and
strumming. I'm looking for a softer sound from the bottom.

3. How low do most of you adjust the bridge on one of these?

4. Is there a good "how to" book available for adjusting the tuning
on one of these things?

Any help would be greatly appreciated (no, buying a Martin is not an
option ;-)

Tony

PS: If you could send me e-mail in addition to following up here, I'd
appreciate it. We're in the process of overhauling the news spooler
as it is currently about 8 days behind.
--
*****************************************************************************
Tony Facca *
NASA Lewis Research Center * May you live in interesting times..
tfa...@lerc.nasa.gov *
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[Stormbringer]

well, i would help, but i'm one of those "long hair" people, so i
obviously don't know shit!
Sam

[Tony Facca]

In article <1993Apr9.2...@selway.umt.edu> el...@selway.umt.edu (Stormbringer) writes:
>
>well, i would help, but i'm one of those "long hair" people, so i
>obviously don't know shit!
>Sam
>

Obviously.