12 string

Works for me.

Cheers Huw

I've had a 12 string for ever but never really got on with them. Recently i remembered what i had always known but never bothered to put into practice; a 12 string is not supposed to be tuned to concert pitch - EADGBE. All of the great 12 string players - Blind Willie McTell, Leadbelly through to Leo Kottke and Paul Brett, always tuned down. DGCFAD (exactly the same relationship) or even lower. They then used heavier strings. This made the guitar even louder. So I tuned mine down to D. So much easier to play. Louder, Sweeter. Using a capo is now possible without the hassle i used to have. Play the same chord shapes except they will SOUND lower. A "D" sounds like a C. A "G" like F. But that only really matters if you are playing with someone else. If you cant get your head round that, just put a capo on 2. If you were using a harmonica, playing G shapes without a capo would need an F harmonica. I used to be an occasional and reluctant 12 string player, now i love it. If you have a 12 string, try tuning down. 

This is great advice Chris, I never knew this until you told me about it at the retreat. Its a revelation and when you come to think of it kind of obvious! With all that extra tension in the strings and neck it mkes absolute sense to tune down and get a richer sound too. I was aware that players like leadbelly used some crazy low tunings on the 12 down to C on the low E string but as you say you need specially produced thicker strings for this to really work. One of our original tutors Tim Page used to get special sets sent over from the US to put on his guitars, he played a lot of Leadbelly songs in the authentic tunings. Having recently acquired another 12 string after not having one for years I am looking forward to experimenting and I will report back with the results.

Yes. Great advice @chrisk . I haven't had a 12 string in years but remember how unplayable it was in standard tuning so used to drop it down a whole step and add a capo as at the time I didn't know much about alternate tunings.

I have actually had the pleasure of playing Stu's new acquisition and it's a beaut

I Like the idea of experimenting with the tone by taking some of the strings off as well. Perhaps making it a nine string by removing the top three extra strings or the bottom three. Anyone tried that before? 

That could be interesting. Maybe remove the 3 lower Bass strings but leave the rest and you could have a hybrid Nashville tuning 

big joe williams beat you to it but he added 3 tuners to make his 6 st a 9 string. The treble courses were doubled. Roger McGuinn plays a 13 string with the g trebled (or is it a 7 with the g doubled)

Rickenbaker 12 st are set up so you hit the low string before the high, unlike all other 12 str 

He actually doubled the first third and fourth. Here he is and his guitar is still in existence 

he mainly / wholly played in spanish (open g) tuning

Forum only seems to allow one attachment

That is a Frankenstein guitar!

I’ve had a 12string for years too and normally have it a semitone down, but a whole tone makes more sense. Used it for a couple of pub gigs just because it’s loud! I keep my Louden in Eb with a heavy low E, and it growls! 12strings are hard work, but fingerstyle (I don’t have strong nails so it’s just pads) is just not possible. I need the space between the strings. Your epiphone sounded great fingerstyle. 
ian. 

I think this thread is a winner! Lets share some videos of 12 string guitar players in action. Maybe even yourselves! Just post a link to a youtube vid. I will start the ball rolling with this lesson on Hotel California. I like this guy he is honest and straightforward. Makes a few mistakes along the way too, just like the rest of us! https://youtu.be/BdvuzfJg8-o?si=fwkCFvDbMljqs8n6

Real world stuff - Don Felder played that mainly on the Gibson twin neck on stage, so much easier than on acoustic 12string. Anyone else have doubled up string instruments - I have an octave Mandola similar to that which Steve Knightley (show of hands) plays and it’s very 12 string-ish but more so! 
Ian

I liked that Hotel California tutorial Stu. I've never used a Capo on it and was always fluffing some of the chord shapes.  A bit of a light bulb moment for me