What's the deal with 12-strings - post from old forum

[cyberfret]

Gil wrote:

I've seen 12-string guitars and have a few purely curious questions about them for anyone who plays one.
What are the strings tuned to?

How do you play chords? do you use all 12 strings at once? what adjustments do you have to make to your chord forms?

[cyberfret]

SteelSlider replied:

Hey Gil.

12 strings produce really nice sounds, if tuned right.

On a twelve string the tuning is the same as a six string.
There are actually two sets of strings side by side.
The lower E strings, through the G strings are tuned an octave apart. There is the original looking strings you'd find on a six string, then right beside them are the new strings, smaller, tuned an octave higher than what you'd find on a six string.

The high E and B stings are tuned the same.

Playing chords on a twelves string is done the same way as a six string. It feels a bit odd though because the two strings laying side by side, but it's quite easy to adapt to the feel.
Twelve strings are really veritile in sounds. Check out the Eagles, and Gordon Lightfoot for examples.

If your in the market for a twelve string, try to get a good one. It will cost you some extra $, but it'll be worth it.
With the extra strings, as small as they are, it adds more tension to the neck. I've seen a lot of mediocre twelve strings sitting in the corner, unused because the action is too high to play them and the cost of shop work is to expensive for some people.
They sound great and are really fun to play, sounds like someone is playing along side you.

Slip off to a music store and try one out.

[cyberfret]

Gil replied:

cool... that makes sense. Thanks.

[cyberfret]

sfritzp replied:

Hey! I was just surfing thru and found this forum. as I JUST aquired a 12 string, I was immediately attracted to your post! I would add, that a trick to relieving the tension the extra strings cause (which can also cause the bridge to pull off) is to tune the guitar lower, and use a capo on the first fret to bring it back to standard tuning.

The git I just got is a Galveston A&E. I had never heard the brand. Upon investigation, I found it to be a low end guitar, but for my purposes of just fooling around with it, I bid on it on a Yahoo auction and won it for a LOW price. It turns out to be a very nice guitar. It has a cut away, a thin body, and the action is very low and it's easy to play. It sounds great, acoustically or hooked up to an amp. And just like you say - it's like someone is playing next to you!

Has anybody else had experiences with the Galveston brand?

[SteelSlider]

Hi sfritzp
Good tip.
No, I've never heard of that brand of guitar, but whether anyone has or not doesn't matter. The bottom line is your happy with it.
Good luck.

[Sparkie]

I love the galveston...really nice i have 3 12 strings...and wish this were one of them.