12 to 6

[coolarrow]

What should I expect if I string a 12 fret 12 string with only 6 strings in terms of how it affects the neck and action?

Thank you

CA

[robj144]

You can try it, but it won't sound that great. 12 strings are built to be 12 strings and are not meant for 6 strings.

[fazool]

Well the string tension will be significantly reduced which will pull the neck forward less, so you may get buzzing and too-low action in places.

A truss rod adjustment can account for some of this.

[littlewing1208]

12 string guitars are also braced significantly more than a 6 string guitar so the top won’t be moving as much so it might sound dead/dull.

You’ll have to relieve some truss rod tension too to avoid buzz city.

[Steadfastly]

I have done it on a Dean Boca 12 string electric and an Art & Lutherie acoustic. For me it worked great. The A & L was pretty loud with the wild cherry so any reduction in sound was minimal. I never noticed any, to be frank.

One problem if you do this and don't change the nut is the string spacing is odd, so if you plan on keeping it that way, change the nut.

[Daniel Grenier]

Why in the world would you do that? That’s like taking 6 cylinders out of a 12 cylinder Ferrari!

[Caddy]

Originally Posted by Daniel Grenier

Why in the world would you do that? That’s like taking 6 cylinders out of a 12 cylinder Ferrari!

I'm with you that!

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Daniel Grenier

Why in the world would you do that? That’s like taking 6 cylinders out of a 12 cylinder Ferrari!

Well, there are a couple of reasons people might remove half the strings of a twelve string guitar. The most common reason is that the person who has the guitar doesn’t have any other instrument to play, and prefers the musical versatility of six string guitars over twelve strings. That’s very common, especially among students and other young folks who don’t have a lot of discretionary income to spend on new guitars.

The other most common reason is that a twelve string has developed such a crummy action that pulling half of the strings off is the only practical way to get it playable.

Over the years I’ve seen plenty of 12 string guitars converted to 6 strings for both of those reasons.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[frankmcr]

The main effect will be on the sound quality, which will be severely compromised.

If this is a budget issue, there are some quite decent low-cost 6-string guitars around these days. Yamahas are a commonly cited example.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by fazool

Well the string tension will be significantly reduced which will pull the neck forward less, so you may get buzzing and too-low action in places.

A truss rod adjustment can account for some of this.

Do you mean 'compensate for' instead of 'account for'?

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Daniel Grenier

Why in the world would you do that? That’s like taking 6 cylinders out of a 12 cylinder Ferrari!

The reason I did it is because I wanted a 6 string with a 2" wide nut.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by frankmcr

The main effect will be on the sound quality, which will be severely compromised.

If this is a budget issue, there are some quite decent low-cost 6-string guitars around these days. Yamahas are a commonly cited example.

I can categorically tell you that did not happen on the acoustic I did. It no longer had the jangle of a 12 string but there was no noticeable compromise in the quality of the sound.

[walknbass]

They should be a lot easier to play because there is only half the strings.
But then again it will only be half as loud.

[kaos]

Might I suggest leaving on both G strings. Then you would have something similar to Martin's McGuinn D7 Custom.

[muscmp]

basically nashville tuning if you use the octave strings.

play music!