Heavy and Low or Jingle-Jangle

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on February 1, 2009 at 4:07pm

On my Guild 12 string I use Martin extra light strings and tune it to pitch...I have no buzzing problem at all.
On my Martin D-12-28 I use Martin light guage strings and tune it a whole step down.
On my Sparks electric 12 string I use a custom guage of strings listed for me by Paul Rdd Smith who partially built the guitar for me and speced the specific guage.

Edward

Permalink Reply by Charlie Bolt on February 1, 2009 at 10:08pm

I have used Martin Marquis lights for years, and tuned to concert pitch on my Guild F212XL. Just recently tried a set of Elixir lights and I really like them, also tuned to concert pitch.

Charlie

Permalink Reply by Teja Gerken, Senior Editor on February 2, 2009 at 2:51pm

Me, I like my 12-string heavy and low. I tune my Taylor 355 a step-and-a-half down, then go to the DADGAD equivalent from there. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy listening to other players who keep to standard pitch--every time I hear Ralph Towner play 12-string, I think that I ought to give that approach a shot. Here what my deal sounds like:

Permalink Reply by John Wilson on February 2, 2009 at 4:59pm

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 Edward Sparks on February 2, 2009 at 5:41pm

Nice video...nicer sound! Several years ago I saw ralph Towner live in Maryland as part of the International Guitar Group and he was very entertaining...at one point he put a piece of regualr white paper woven in and out of the strings of his classical to simulate a fuzz box sound...held my attention!
Thanks, Edward
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Permalink Reply by Teja Gerken, Senior Editor on February 2, 2009 at 5:58pm

Nice playing. That's a challenging arrangement to play on a 12. And cool guitar, too. Not too many Lowden 12's out there!

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 Charlie Bolt on February 2, 2009 at 9:16pm

Teja, John,

Both videos are great. Great playing and great sounding guitars.

Charlie

Permalink Reply by John Wilson on February 6, 2009 at 2:27pm

If I were to try tuning higher with lighter strings, it would all be out the window the first time I heard Michael.

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on February 6, 2009 at 4:55pm

John Wilson said:

If I were to try tuning higher with lighter strings, it would all be out the window the first time I heard Michael.

Wow he is incredible! And it looks like he is playing a Guild F212XL like mine! Thanks for sharing that, Edward

Permalink Reply by Charlie Bolt on February 6, 2009 at 6:40pm

Boy, Michael Gulezian is really great!! Kind of reminds me of some of Phil Keaggy's work.

And that is a Guild F212XLNT he is playing. Go to "www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag131/gear131.html" for more info.

Permalink Reply by John Wilson on February 7, 2009 at 3:34am

The tuning on this one is kind of cool:
d/D g/G d/D f#/F# G/A D/E

This is lowered 3-4 half steps so that the D is a B or Bb - assuming that the audio is not off a bit, he seems to be right in between.

Permalink Reply by Erik Gran on February 7, 2009 at 12:24pm

I belong to the heavy stringing low tuning category. Have my Yamaha FG 412-12 tuned down a major third (C to C) and use these strings:

.014 to -059.

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