Heavy and Low or Jingle-Jangle

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on March 4, 2009 at 1:19pm

John Wilson said:

Edward Sparks said:

Steve Kline said:

Used to be type 1. Now that I'm older, I'm more of a 2. I have one tuned to concert pitch and one tuned low.

I missed something along the wya...what does the "1" and "2" mean?
Thanks, Edward
http://mysite.verizon.net/emsparks/index.htm

My guess is that he is referring to:

1. Those who string them heavy and tune them low
2. Those who use really light strings and tune to concert pitch

Got it, thanks...I just got lost in the string! I am a two...
Edward
http://mysite.verizon.net/emsparks/index.htm

Permalink Reply by John Bjorkman on March 11, 2009 at 11:02am

I definitely a concert pitch guy to go with my singing, using either a flat pick or flesh-tips. I originally used d'Addario strings, but a few years back switched to John Pearse lights.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Cozad on March 11, 2009 at 9:09pm

I sit in the middle... Years ago, against the tide at the time, I put medium gauge strings on my battleship-built Guilds and tuned them 1/2 step down. VERY LOUD! - and responsible for the world's thickest fingertip callouses. ;~} These days I prefer light gauge strings tuned down anywhere from 1/2 to 1 1/2 steps. As I seem to be growing "softer", so does the action on my 12 -String guitars. Now, about that Phosphor-Bronze vs Coated string argument...

Permalink Reply by Jack Blackwell on March 20, 2009 at 4:59pm

In my perfect world I'd have a few more LKSM's in addition to my Leo Koattke (an LKSM made of koa) which is strung light and tuned to concert. This is a recent development for me since I'm concentrating more on my vocal work and there's a lot of material that screams for 12 string accompaniment. I used to study with Tracy Moore and tuned in the basement for many years.

Permalink Reply by John Wilson on March 21, 2009 at 5:39pm

Hold the phone!

You got Taylor to build you a koa LKSM??

Permalink Reply by Joe Carpenter on May 21, 2009 at 7:30am

Like most builders, you can special order in any wood they have available at Taylor. A friend of mine special ordered an all koa (top, back & sides) LKSM-6 a few years back.

Permalink Reply by Robert on March 23, 2009 at 5:43am

John,

Could you explain a bit more about this string setup? I'm thinking of experimenting with heavier gauge strings to perhaps counteract some of the difficulties I'm experiencing (see post: Persistent Problems). Which specific strings of each set do you use?

Bob M

John Wilson said:

">StringThis

I buy a medium set (.013-.056) for the primary set and use the first four strings from a light set (.012-.054) for the octaves. Tuned down three half steps, it is about the same tension as a regular extra-light (.010-.047) 12-string set tuned to pitch.

Permalink Reply by John Wilson on March 23, 2009 at 9:26am

If you look at a standard extra light set for the 6-string guitar, the set goes:
.010, .014, .023w, .030, .039, .047

That set is also the basis for the extra light 12-string set, which goes:
.010, .014, .023w, .030, .039, .047
.010, .014, .008, .012, .018p, .027w

I am using the D'Addario/Martin/Elixir sets for the above example.
The "w" next to some strings stands for wound.
The "p" next to some strings stands for plain (unwound).

What I do is buy a medium 6-string set, which goes:
.013, .017, .026w, .035, .045, .056

and (these days) an extra light 6-string set, which goes:
.010, .014, .023w, .030, .039, .047

and I buy an extra .013 and an extra .017

So my set goes:
.013, .017, .026w, .035, .045, .056
.013, .017 .010, .014, .023w, .030

The .039 and the .047 from the extra light set get tossed. It is actually less expensive to buy the extra light set an throw those two strings away than it is to buy the .010, .014, .023w, .030 strings individually.

This custom set - tuned 3 half steps down - puts about the same tension on the guitar as a regular extra light 12-string set tuned to concert pitch. The other advantage is that any music store carries the string set that I use.

You can replace the extra light set used for the octave strings with a regular light set, which goes:
.012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .054

If you did that, then your set would go:
.013, .017, .026w, .035, .045, .056
.013, .017 .012, .016, .024w, .032

Try it out and see how you like it. It has been my method of buying strings for several years now.

Permalink Reply by Steve Kline on April 14, 2009 at 9:42pm

Well done. I think it sounds good. My first thought when you started playing was that it was too tinny of a sound, but after you got into it more, I found that I liked the tone in that song.

John Wilson said:

Thanks for checking in, Teja.

I have that video saved as a favorite on my YouTube page. I agree, sometimes when I listen to Ralph Towner or Michel Gentils (to name a couple), I wonder if I should re-think my approach. Then when I actually try it, it doesn't sound right. I guess it is what you are used to.

I really shouldn't do this, because Al Petteway might see it, but here is my latest. Sligo Creek on a 12-string, DADGAD tuned down to B:

Permalink Reply by John Wilson on April 15, 2009 at 7:18am

The sound on that video comes from the tiny little condenser microphone on my flip camcorder. This is a fun little camcorder, but there is no provision for plugging in a better quality mic and the built in condenser mic is obviously not the best choice.

I am still learning my way around this whole audio/video editing thing. Thank you for listening.

Permalink Reply by Will Becker on April 17, 2009 at 4:34pm

Hi fellow 12-stringers,

I've been a member of the AG online crowd for a few months now and really appreciate the ton of advice that experienced players share with us strangers.

The Washburn acoustic electric 12-string I own is only one of my guitars, so it has to share my free time with a 6-string Washburn acoustic electric, Yamaha nylon classical, a Brazilian made classical, a Michael Kelly 4-string acoustic electric bass and a Dean 6-string banjo. The advise and enthusiasam you guys have for the instrument really makes me want to give my 12-string more time. Can't have too many guitars!

Our Orlando circles are rich with really good 12-string players and I love to go listen to them.

Will B.

Permalink Reply by Bernie on June 10, 2009 at 11:47am

When I bought my Seagull 12 string the store that I bought it from told me to tune it D,G,C,F,A,D I guess that is down a step. When I contacted Seagull about the tuning they told me to tune it at the Standard tuning which is how i have it tuned now. if a do get a J12-40E I wonder how that will be tuned

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