The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 09-17-2010, 07:16 PM
merc merc is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 11
Default 12 string

Is there any negetive effects onn a guitars neck by only using 6 strings on a 12 string guitar?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-17-2010, 07:20 PM
JTPicker JTPicker is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Coast
Posts: 68
Default

Fewer strings = less tension on the neck. I don't think that would hurt it. But I'll defer to someone who might actually know a few things more about guitars than me. Maybe I'm missing something?
__________________


2010 Taylor GC 7
2008 Martin DX-1
1988 Washburn D-12TS
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-17-2010, 07:23 PM
Tony Burns Tony Burns is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: middle of no where
Posts: 8,030
Default

One of my main concerns is that it will have alot less tension which may kill the tone a bit, plus it would seem a bit harder to play . Most 12 strings ive played were set up for ex-light strings - Id suggest you get a separate 6 string
__________________
---------------------------------
Wood things with Strings !
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-17-2010, 07:49 PM
devellis's Avatar
devellis devellis is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,399
Default

You might get some string buzz. A properly set-up 12 string will have neck relief adjusted for the tension of all the strings. Removing a substantial portion of that tension may leave the neck with too little relief. If the instrument has a dual-action truss rod, you can dial in more relief. And, it may just be fine without any relief adjustment. You also have the issue of which nut slots to use. No combination will give you equal spacing between strings and equal distances of the outermost strings from the edges of the fingerboard. But that may not be a huge issue.

As for structural damage, I don't think that would happen. The guitar may need some time to settle in to the lower tension, and then again to settle in to the higher tension if you restring with all 12 strings. But that shouldn't be a big deal. If I've missed some obvious issue, someone else will point it out, I'm confident.
__________________
Bob DeVellis
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-17-2010, 08:04 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Coastal Washington State
Posts: 44,924
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by merc View Post
Is there any negetive effects onn a guitars neck by only using 6 strings on a 12 string guitar?
You'll only get half the sound...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-18-2010, 03:15 PM
merc merc is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 11
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glennwillow View Post
You'll only get half the sound...


I like thyis answer the best
No really..I had thought of the tension and action but didn't really have any knowledge or a foundation for this.

But I still like Glen's answer. It could like playing 2 guitars with 12 strings
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=