Get low on a Taylor 12-string?

[jkinnama]

Hello, all. Have any of you tried setting up a Tyalor GA3-12 or similar with medium to heavy strings and tuning it low, ala Kottke? I would expect more low ned thump and fuller top notes. How did that work out in practice? Thanks

[Glennwillow]

You should try it and see what you think.

I, personally, do not like that down-in-the-basement sound from Leo Kottke, though I admire his playing greatly.

Most of my first years with a 12-string were with my 1966 Harmony H1270 which could not be tuned to standard pitch. So it was tuned to about C or C#. I played it that way until I got rid of it when I bought my previously owned 1972 Guild F212 in 1975. That guitar with the correct light gauge strings could be tuned to standard pitch, which is where I really wanted the guitar to be.

I have a Guild F-512 today. I did once put on heavier strings and tuned the F-512 down to C so that I could play Noel Paul Stookey's "The Wedding Song." It was okay. But as soon as I was done with that, I took those strings off and put on light gauge strings so I could tune it back up to concert pitch.

But some people love that sound. Your best bet is to try it and see what you think.

Here's the result of my experiment:



- Glenn

[jkinnama]

Thanks for sharing that. Yeh, that's along the lines of what Im after. In Blind Willie's wheelhouse, not Volkstruhm.

[ghostnote]

To me the whole point of a 12 is that shimmer you get. Tuning low reduces that a lot, so it’s a no-go for me. I have a Taylor 12 (362ce) that I really like - it’s the first Taylor I’ve ever bonded with. Great guitar.

[jkinnama]

"shimmer" Yeah, my interest is proably against the grain. Six and 12 Stroing Guitar and Mudlark were my 12 strings albums. Then I got into Blind Willie McTell.. That's some picking.

[jkinnama]

Glenn, on that clip you said you used heavier strings. Do you recall if that was that a medium (132 on top ) or heavy (13)?

[Guitars44me]

FWIW, I just tune my Taylor 552ce down to D standard with the usual Elixir lights

That is far down enough for me and the resulting lack of tension is a welcome side effect.

Want to be in E? Capo II….

Might work for you too, and you don’t need to change the strings!

A minor truss Rod tweak may be necessary

Play on and have FUN

Paul

[L20A]

I have played 12 string guitar for over 45 years.
In all those years, I have tried to like a lowered 12 string tuning but never could.
To me, that 12 string jingle gets lost in a lower tuning.

I do like the sound of a lower tuned 6 string guitar and I own a baritone 8 string that I enjoy.
However, a lowered 12 string is just not for me.

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by jkinnama

Glenn, on that clip you said you used heavier strings. Do you recall if that was that a medium (132 on top ) or heavy (13)?

Hi JK,

I believe I used these strings.

I hope this is helpful!

- Glenn

[donlyn]

Get low on a Taylor 12-string?

I normally tune my 12 string guitars to 'D#'. Been playing 'em since the 60s, when everyone tuned them to 'D'. Old habits die hard. Besides I like the bit of 'growl' it adds. I use Elixir PB 12 string Light gauge {.010 - .047} on 'em.

From there, I also tune my Taylor 355 to DADGAD intervals, {c#C#,g#G# et cetera to C#C#}.

Kind of like 'em that way.

I fingerpick all my instruments using my nails as picks.

Don
.

[kudama]

On my Taylor 355, I often use the D'Addario medium/heavy 12 strings (EJ37) and tune down to the C or B range. Tension wise it's fine and works well for what I like to do. Definitely gets you close to the Kottke sound.

The main thing to remember is to adjust the string slots at the nut. Otherwise the intonation and string action will be off.

[birkenweg42]

What shimmer? I want a wall of sound!
I use heavy strings, turned down three half steps for the Kottke sound. If I were a strummer I probably would opt for light strings tuned to regular pitch.

[mike o]

My 12’s are always tuned a 1/2 step down. You get just enough added bottom to offset the jingle jangles . It could be fun to check out some lower tunings. Enjoy!

[jkinnama]

Glenn. Yes, thanks. That was a std light set, for anyone flowowing the thread.

Kudma, uhmm. Dont suppose you have an audio to share?

[kudama]

Originally Posted by jkinnama

Glenn. Yes, thanks. That was a std light set, for anyone flowowing the thread.

Kudma, uhmm. Dont suppose you have an audio to share?

Here's some old recordings from 2014... I'd like to think I'm a better player now and a better audio engineer. All but track #2 were recorded using the Taylor 355 with the EJ37's I think. It was a long time ago. If not, it's at least an example of what it sounds like with light gauge strings tuned lower.

https://morgankomure.bandcamp.com/album/11-and-12

Right now I have the light gauge nickel bronze strings tuned to D or C# on the Taylor, and I really like how they sound and feel. For what it's worth, a lot of it comes down to picking hand technique to get that Kottke sound, as is always with guitars.

Here's a different spruce/mahogany 12 string of mine (a PONO ds12-20 guitar) tuned low with medium strings, attempting to play a Kottke tune:
https://youtu.be/etUpFEqm2NE