Can I string 12-string guitar as a 6-string one?

[expertune]

Can I just put on 6 strings?

 

I've never played a 12 string one, that's the reason I am asking.

 

Thanks

[WaveRay]

Well, first of all, If you can play a six string, you can play a twelve.

Secondly, I went to a bluegrass jam a few times in Gettysburg and there was a guy ther a couple of times doing just that. Had an old 12'er that he had only six strings on. He played well, so I knew he'd been around. I never got the chance to ask him if he preferred it that way or what. Funny looking but he had plenty of room for his fingers.

[Luca1369]

I have kinda large hands and fingers, and for many years I had 6 strings on my Yamaha FG-260. This allowed me to enjoy the wider fretboard. Six works fine on a 12.

[Freeman Keller]

The fretboard will feel huge, but it will work just fine. It is ironic that many 12's are braced exactly the same as their 6 string brothers - my D12-28 has the same braces as an unscalloped D-28. Occassionally they will be a little thicker, but tuned to concert you should be able to drive the top pretty well.

 

But Ray is totally correct - a well set up 12 string with light gauge strings can be as easy to play as a 6. And they sound so wonderful....