Which is the best body size for a good 12 string acoustic sound?

The majority of 12 string acoustic guitar bodies are dreadnought shapes. This is because the bigger size and greater projection works particularly well with the extra harmonic information from the strings to produce a loud, full and satisfying sound. The general rule is essentially the bigger the better, so you'll find some great 12 string acoustics like the Alvarez AJ80CE featuring a larger Jumbo body size. There are exceptions such as the Taylor 352CE 12 string, which has been designed specifically to produce a large and beautiful sound with a smaller Grand Concert body shape.

How is a 12 string guitar tuned?

The normal tuning for a twelve string involves tuning the secondary string on the lower four strings an octave higher than its partner, so the two bottom strings are both tuned to E with the thinner string being one octave higher than the thicker one. This carries through until we reach the upper B and E strings, which are tuned in unison. The tuning going from low to high looks like this: E (+1 octave), E, A (+1 octave), A, D (+1 octave), D, G (+1 octave), G, B, B, E, E. All standard guitar tuners will recognise these pitches so you should be fine to use whichever you prefer.

Are 12 string guitars more difficult to play?

There is a little period of adjustment when learning to play two strings at once instead of one. Plus there is a good deal more tension across the extra strings which may make holding down barre chords slightly more difficult for a little while. Thankfully, your hands will quickly grow accustomed to the changes and the resulting tones are more than worth the small adjustments required.

Why choose a 12 string acoustic guitar rather than a 6 string acoustic guitar?

Most players considering a 12 string acoustic guitar already own a regular 6 string. The 12 string is a popular choice both as an alternative to the standard 6 string as well as an additional option for creating new sounds. Solo performers may enjoy the fuller sound it gives to accompany their vocals while others use it as a fresh approach to writing and creating music.

What is Nashville tuning?

Nashville tuning is a special tuning that uses only the higher strings from a twelve string guitar, ignoring the 'normal' strings. Nashville tuning gets its name from lots of Country music producers who use guitars specially strung and tuned to that specific tuning to add sparkle and dimension to their recordings. It is relatively normal to see 12 string guitars in studios with half of their strings removed to achieve this sound. Both 6 string and 12 string acoustic and electric guitars can utilise Nashville tuning if careful tuning and selection of string gauge is used.

12 String Guitars | guitarguitar

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird 12-String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

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£899.00

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Epiphone Songmaker DR-212 Dreadnought 12 String Natural

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£269.00

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Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

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£789.00 £899.00

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Yamaha APX700II 12 String Black

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£749.00 £899.00

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Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT Natural High Gloss

(1)

£279.00 £329.00

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Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

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£1,299.00 £1,450.00

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Yamaha FG820-12 Natural 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

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£399.00

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Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany

£2,299.00 £3,034.80

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Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

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£299.00 £389.00

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Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

£849.00

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Faith Naked Venus 12 String

(1)

£699.00 £759.00

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Sigma DM12E+

(4)

£299.00

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Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

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£2,649.00 £3,299.00

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Sigma DM12-SG5 12 String

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£635.00

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Martin Grand J16E 12 String

£2,475.00

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Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined

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£3,765.00

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Takamine PTU141C 12 String Tobacco Sunburst

£1,599.00

FREE Delivery

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The Big Sale

Taylor 552ce 12 Fret 12 String Grand Concert

£2,499.00 £2,999.00

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Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

£899.00 £979.00

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The Big Sale

Taylor 352ce 12 Fret 12 String

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£1,799.00 £1,999.00

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Taylor 264ce-K Deluxe Grand Auditorium 12 String

£1,799.00 £1,999.00

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New Arrival

Taylor 264ce-K Deluxe Grand Auditorium 12 String #2206284150

£1,799.00 £1,999.00

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Nearly New

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought (Nearly New)

£799.00

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The Big Sale

Taylor 250ce-BLK Plus (Nearly New)

£899.00 £1,199.00

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The Big Sale

Taylor 362e Grand Concert

£1,799.00 £2,299.00

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Taylor USA Legacy 855e 12-String

£3,429.00 £4,115.00

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Taylor 2019 Academy 12e Grand Concert (Pre-Owned) #2102149145

£599.00

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Taylor 2022 Limited Edition K62ce 12 Fret 12 String (Pre-Owned) #1206232180

£4,299.00

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Taylor 2015 600 Series 656ce Grand Symphony ES2 (Pre-Owned) #1108175026

£2,399.00

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Vintage Statesboro Paul Brett 12 String Acoustic Satin Antique Burst

£699.00

FREE Delivery

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Vintage VTR800PB-12 Electro Viator Paul Brett 12 String Travel Guitar

£369.00 £499.00

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Vintage Fret Dancer Acoustic 12-String

£299.00

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Vintage Fret Dancer Electro Acoustic 12-String

£349.00

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Ex-Demo

Takamine GD38CE Black (Ex-Demo) #TC22084664

£529.00 £659.00

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Nearly New

Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce Wild Honey Burst (Nearly New) #1211013093

£3,499.00 £5,194.80

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Yamaha APX700II12 12 String Natural (Pre-Owned)

£549.00

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Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined #M2869443

£3,765.00

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Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

£699.00

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Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

£775.00

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Martin HD12-28 12 String (Pre-Owned)

£2,699.00

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12 String Guitars

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Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird 12-String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

Epiphone Songmaker DR-212 Dreadnought 12 String Natural

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Black

Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT Natural High Gloss

Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

Yamaha FG820-12 Natural 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany

Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

Faith Naked Venus 12 String

Sigma DM12E+

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

Sigma DM12-SG5 12 String

Martin Grand J16E 12 String

Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined

Takamine PTU141C 12 String Tobacco Sunburst

Taylor 552ce 12 Fret 12 String Grand Concert

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

Taylor 352ce 12 Fret 12 String

Taylor 264ce-K Deluxe Grand Auditorium 12 String

Taylor 264ce-K Deluxe Grand Auditorium 12 String #2206284150

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought (Nearly New)

Taylor 250ce-BLK Plus (Nearly New)

Taylor 362e Grand Concert

Taylor USA Legacy 855e 12-String

Taylor 2019 Academy 12e Grand Concert (Pre-Owned) #2102149145

Taylor 2022 Limited Edition K62ce 12 Fret 12 String (Pre-Owned) #1206232180

Taylor 2015 600 Series 656ce Grand Symphony ES2 (Pre-Owned) #1108175026

Vintage Statesboro Paul Brett 12 String Acoustic Satin Antique Burst

Vintage VTR800PB-12 Electro Viator Paul Brett 12 String Travel Guitar

Vintage Fret Dancer Acoustic 12-String

Vintage Fret Dancer Electro Acoustic 12-String

Takamine GD38CE Black (Ex-Demo) #TC22084664

Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce Wild Honey Burst (Nearly New) #1211013093

Yamaha APX700II12 12 String Natural (Pre-Owned)

Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined #M2869443

Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

Martin HD12-28 12 String (Pre-Owned)

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