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

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Finlayson JMAP50CE 12 String (Pre-Owned) #13050564

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Taylor 362e Grand Concert

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Taylor 250ce-BLK Plus (Nearly New)

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Martin HD12-28 12 String (Pre-Owned)

£2,699.00

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Taylor USA Legacy 855e 12-String

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Taylor 2017 752CE Limited Edition 12 String (Pre-Owned) #1104137091

£1,799.00

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Taylor 2007 355ce (Pre-Owned) #20070126022

£1,099.00

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Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined #M2869441

£3,765.00

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

£599.00

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

£3,499.00 £5,194.80

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Alvarez Artist Series AJ80ce 12-String

£619.00

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Vintage Fret Dancer Electro Acoustic 12-String

£349.00

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Taylor 2021 362ce 12 Fret 12 String (Pre-Owned) #1210131076

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D'Angelico Premier Fulton LS Grand Auditorium 12 String CE Mahogany Satin

£219.00 £299.00

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Taylor 264ce-K Deluxe Grand Auditorium 12 String

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

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£749.00 £879.00

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Tanglewood TW612CEAVB Electro Acoustic 12 String Venetian Cutaway Autumn Vintage Burst

£449.00 £479.00

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Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

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Taylor 352ce 12 Fret 12 String

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£1,999.00 £2,698.80

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Vintage Statesboro Paul Brett 12 String Acoustic Satin Antique Burst

£699.00

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D'Angelico Premier Fulton Grand Auditorium 12-String CE Natural

£349.00 £389.00

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D'Angelico Premier Fulton Grand Auditorium 12-String CE Aged Burst

£389.00

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D'Angelico Premier Fulton Grand Auditorium 12-String CE Caramel Burst

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Epiphone Hummingbird Pro 12 String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

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Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

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Eastman E1D-12-DLX Natural Dreadnought 12-String

£889.00

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Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

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EastCoast J-20 12 String Natural

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Cort Earth70 12 String Open Pore

£269.00 £309.00

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Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String

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Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String Shadowburst

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Taylor Custom Grand Concert 12 Fret Koa #37

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Alvarez Artist Series AG70ce 12-String Black

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Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Concert Amber 12 CE Myrtlewood

£899.00 £929.00

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Cort GA MEDX 12 Open Pore

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Cort AD810 12-String Open Pore

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Vintage Statesboro Dreadnought Electro Acoustic 12 String Whisky Sour

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

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Taylor 552ce 12 Fret 12 String Grand Concert

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12 String Guitars

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Finlayson JMAP50CE 12 String (Pre-Owned) #13050564

Taylor 362e Grand Concert

Taylor 250ce-BLK Plus (Nearly New)

Martin HD12-28 12 String (Pre-Owned)

Taylor USA Legacy 855e 12-String

Taylor 2017 752CE Limited Edition 12 String (Pre-Owned) #1104137091

Taylor 2007 355ce (Pre-Owned) #20070126022

Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined #M2869441

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

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

Alvarez Artist Series AJ80ce 12-String

Vintage Fret Dancer Electro Acoustic 12-String

Taylor 2021 362ce 12 Fret 12 String (Pre-Owned) #1210131076

D'Angelico Premier Fulton LS Grand Auditorium 12 String CE Mahogany Satin

Taylor 264ce-K Deluxe Grand Auditorium 12 String

Vintage Fret Dancer Acoustic 12-String

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

Tanglewood TW612CEAVB Electro Acoustic 12 String Venetian Cutaway Autumn Vintage Burst

Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

Taylor 352ce 12 Fret 12 String

Vintage Statesboro Paul Brett 12 String Acoustic Satin Antique Burst

D'Angelico Premier Fulton Grand Auditorium 12-String CE Natural

D'Angelico Premier Fulton Grand Auditorium 12-String CE Aged Burst

D'Angelico Premier Fulton Grand Auditorium 12-String CE Caramel Burst

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro 12 String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

Eastman E1D-12-DLX Natural Dreadnought 12-String

Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

EastCoast J-20 12 String Natural

Cort Earth70 12 String Open Pore

Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String

Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String Shadowburst

Taylor Custom Grand Concert 12 Fret Koa #37

Alvarez Artist Series AG70ce 12-String Black

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Concert Amber 12 CE Myrtlewood

Cort GA MEDX 12 Open Pore

Cort AD810 12-String Open Pore

Vintage Statesboro Dreadnought Electro Acoustic 12 String Whisky Sour

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

Taylor 552ce 12 Fret 12 String Grand Concert

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