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

Tanglewood TWBBSFCE 12 Blackbird Super Folk 12 String Guitar

£289.00

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Tanglewood TW612CEAVB Electro Acoustic 12 String Venetian Cutaway Autumn Vintage Burst

£449.00 £479.00

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Taylor 250ce Deluxe Dreadnought Black (Ex-Demo) #2208062203

£1,199.00 £2,038.80

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Taylor 362ce 12 Fret Grand Concert 12 String (Ex-Demo) #1211091146

£1,999.00 £2,698.00

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Takamine GD38CE Black (Ex-Demo) #TC22084664

£569.00 £659.00

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Sigma DM12-1 12 String

£319.00

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Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany (Ex-Demo) #1205013098

£1,999.00 £3,034.80

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Taylor Custom Grand Concert 12 Fret Koa #37

£6,299.00

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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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Epiphone Hummingbird Pro 12 String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

£449.00

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Epiphone FT-112 Bard Oh Pretty Woman (Pre-Owned) #0908171248

£599.00

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

£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

£389.00

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EastCoast J-20 12 String Natural

£149.00

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Eastman E1D-12-DLX Natural Dreadnought 12-String

£889.00

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Breedlove Solo Pro Concert Edgeburst 12 string CE

£1,619.00

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Cort AD810 12-String Open Pore

£179.00

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Cort GA MEDX 12 Open Pore

£259.00

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Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String

£529.00

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Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String Shadowburst

£549.00

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Alvarez Artist Series AG70ce 12-String Black

£649.00

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Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String Black

£529.00

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12 String Guitars

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Tanglewood TWBBSFCE 12 Blackbird Super Folk 12 String Guitar

Tanglewood TW612CEAVB Electro Acoustic 12 String Venetian Cutaway Autumn Vintage Burst

Taylor 250ce Deluxe Dreadnought Black (Ex-Demo) #2208062203

Taylor 362ce 12 Fret Grand Concert 12 String (Ex-Demo) #1211091146

Takamine GD38CE Black (Ex-Demo) #TC22084664

Sigma DM12-1 12 String

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany (Ex-Demo) #1205013098

Taylor Custom Grand Concert 12 Fret Koa #37

Martin X Series D-X2E Spruce/Brazilian 12 String

Martin DC-X2E 12 String Spruce/Brazillian

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro 12 String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

Epiphone FT-112 Bard Oh Pretty Woman (Pre-Owned) #0908171248

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

EastCoast J-20 12 String Natural

Eastman E1D-12-DLX Natural Dreadnought 12-String

Breedlove Solo Pro Concert Edgeburst 12 string CE

Cort AD810 12-String Open Pore

Cort GA MEDX 12 Open Pore

Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String

Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String Shadowburst

Alvarez Artist Series AG70ce 12-String Black

Alvarez Artist Series AD60ce 12-String Black

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