12's on a 12 string E standard

[guitar344]

How long will the guitar last? Might be fine to leave it for a week.

[Brucebubs]

Are you talking just 6 strings or the full 12 strings ? What are you trying to achieve?

[guitar344]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Are you talking just 6 strings or the full 12 strings ? What are you trying to achieve?

Full 12 string. I want to know how long the guitar can handle the tension before it falls apart. I'm thinking about trying but nervous about how quickly the guitar will fall apart.

[NotveryGood]

Way back in the mists of time, before I knew anything about de tuning or string gauges, I had a new (at the time) EKO 12 string. Admittedly not the best guitar ever, but built like a wardrobe and just as heavy. Anyway, in those far off pre internet days of no information, I tuned it up to standard with a set of new strings (which I now think must have been 12s). A week or so later there was a bang and a harp like ringing sound in the middle of the night.
Dont do it.

[rmp]

A lot would depend on the guitar you'll try this on..

Not sure I'd do it on a $250 guitar... (or any 12 string for that matter)

Why do you want to use 12s on a 12 string?

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by guitar344

Full 12 string. I want to know how long the guitar can handle the tension before it falls apart. I'm thinking about trying but nervous about how quickly the guitar will fall apart.

You may already know this, but even high-end 12 string guitars i.e., Guild, Taylor, Martin, Breedlove are not built to handle .012's tuned to concert pitch - however, using .010's or lighter is generally not a problem (I've had my Guild JF65-12 tuned to concert pitch since 1987 - I use .010's exclusively (D'Addario EJ38). Some (Taylor's Leo Kottke Model) are designed to be tuned to a lower pitch (considerably less tension) with heavier strings - Taylor is clear about their disclaimer and Elixir offers a custom set.

Ask any experienced luthier's (or reputable acoustic guitar repair technician's) thoughts.

[donlyn]

I think it's a bad idea. I use Lights (.010) on my Taylors and tune them to D#. I like the resulting sound, and capo 1 if I need standard tuning. The G7th Newport 12 string capo with compensated string pad does not need re-tuning to use.

I also had an EKO Ranger XII back in the late 60s and early 70s. Kept it tuned to D.

Lead Belly used heavier strings and tuned way down long before Kottke.

Don
.

[zombywoof]

There was a time when both Harmony and Gibson issued a warning with their 12 strings to tune at least one whole step down. Apparently more than a few did not heed the advice. John Pearce offers (or at least used to offer) a .013 gauge 12 string set which was were designed to be strung on guitars tuned down to C# for those who wanted to summon up that Leadbelly thunder.

[Zigeuner]

I have one of the very earliest Martin D-12-35's. I use Extra light strings on it (10's or 11's) and it's been tuned down to D since 1965 when I bought it.

To me, a 12 string should sound like Leadbelly or any of the other great 12 string artists. They just don't sound right tuned to pitch.

Also, you will definitely damage the neck, top. tuners or bridge with prolonged high tension on your 12 string.

I also have a Gibson B-25-12N with a tailpiece. I guess that I could probably tune that to pitch, but I'm sure that the Kluson Deluxe tuners would start to come apart. I keep that one tuned down to D also.

If you want a 12 string that can take standard tuning, a Guild with the double truss rod would be the answer but again, with a 12 string, it's all about the sound for me.

[6L6]

My 1971 Guild F-312NT has been strung with Light Gauge strings at full concert pitch it's entire life. I never detune it unless changing strings.

Never had or needed a neck reset and plays effortlessly up and down the neck.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Zigeuner

...If you want a 12-string that can take standard tuning, a Guild with the double truss rod would be the answer but again, with a 12-string, it's all about the sound for me.

First 12-string I ever played back in the day was a '68 Guild F-212XL tuned to standard pitch - sounded wonderful...

I own a dual truss-rod USA Westerly Guild JF30-12 with D'Addario EJ39's tuned to standard - no structural issues/broken strings in 30+ years...

My wife has an early-90's USA Ovation Elite 12 non-cut - same strings, same deal...

Both guitars are built like tanks, and weigh only slightly less...

Trying this with lesser instruments will result in significant damage to either instrument, player, or both...

(mic drop here...)

[TiffanyGuitar]

Don't try it. The 12 strings I have had all developed issues over time even with light strings on them. My guess is a cheap one wouldn't survive a few weeks with 12 gauge strings. I am not sure why one would want to do this, because I found my 12s sounded heavenly with 9s.

I don't have a 12 now. Maybe one day I will find a Martin, but I will never do another cheapie 12 string. Always, I have wound up regretting it.

[gfspencer]

I don't tune any of my 12-string guitars down but I use light or extra light gauge strings.

[pinweasel]

Use 10’s on my 6856lx at standard pitch have had no problems

[brad4d8]

I've had my '64 F212 at concert pitch since it was new, often with medium strings. I did get the neck reset about 5 years ago, but not unusual on any guitar after 50 years.