12 string string guages...??

[MattSkibaIsGOD]

Hey all, I am loving the sound of my 12 string in standard down two whole steps; the only thing i don't like is the buzzing of the loose strings. Freeman in particular, I have a question for you...

 

will it reduce the life span of my neck if I were to string the guitar up with mediums and put it down two whole steps? What are my options for something like this? Thanks,

 

-Dave

[Freeman Keller]

bingo! in my humble opinion, that is exactly what you should do.

 

Your guitar was designed for (12 string) lights at concert, it will have the same tension with (12 string) mediums down two steps. If you have to sing or play with someone else throw a capo on at 2. But be careful about the gauge as listed on the package - it is not standardized like six string sets. I run Elixer mediums on mine down two half steps, then down for the open tunings I like. Look at the bottom of this for some comparisons

 

http://p082.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm19.showMessage?topicID=27.topic

 

For me a "light" set is 10-47, "mediums" are 12-54 or so. Report back, but I think you will like them.

[Samilyn]

Exactly what Freeman said. He is right on the mark, as usual.

 

Mediums combined with 2-step down tuning makes a 12-string sound unbelievably rich.

 

Unfortunately, fretting heavier strings makes my previously-injured hand work too hard and I begin to experience pain after a couple of hours of playing. The pain takes a few days to go away, so the better sound of the heavier strings isn't worth it to me. The fact that I can still play at all is a Godsend, so I'm not going to push my luck.

 

I achieve best overall results with my D12X1 using what I'd call a "light-medium" 11-50 tuned down to Eb. The git sounds great and my hand remains painless.

 

Just my .02.

[totamus]

I got rid of my 12 string so I wouldnt be tempted to play it - it took days for my hands to stop hurting. You should keep that in mind even though your hands are ok, time catches up with you. A 12 string is very stressfull to your left hand and anything you can do to keep it easier is worthwhile. I used to tune down a full 2 steps, but, like you found that the the strings were just too loose.

 

I compromised by going down a half step. The buzzing went away but the guitar finger much easier. Of course, whenever I would play with others, it through them off tremendously as they would see a capo at the first fret and assume I was playing in a different key than I was...

[Terry Allan Hall]

Exactly what Freeman said. He is right on the mark, as usual. Mediums combined with 2-step down tuning makes a 12-string sound unbelievably rich. Unfortunately, fretting heavier strings makes my previously-injured hand work too hard and I begin to experience pain after a couple of hours of playing. The pain takes a few days to go away, so the better sound of the heavier strings isn't worth it to me. The fact that I can still play at all is a Godsend, so I'm not going to push my luck. I achieve best overall results with my D12X1 using what I'd call a "light-medium" 11-50 tuned down to Eb. The git sounds great and my hand remains painless. Just my .02.

 

Have you tried Aleve...might help!

[Samilyn]

Have you tried Aleve...might help!

 

Thanks, TAH, but sorry to say I can't tolerate Aleve or much else in the OTC-NSAID class.

 

The best remedy for me is rest, combined with alternating ice-heat therapy, as one would do with a sports injury. (And as a former figure skater, I'm all too familiar with those, too!)

[MattSkibaIsGOD]

Thanks for the info everyone. I must have gotten really lucky because without having a pro set up yet, my 12 string is sooo easy to play. I love it.