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  #1  
Old 06-27-2022, 08:13 AM
nrand nrand is offline
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Default Takamine 12 String Gauges

I am in the process of setting up my 'new' 2003 Takamine EAN40C12 12 String, one which has set up for most of its life and needs some attention, including fixing a bit of fret sprouting from drying out.
Meanwhile I did some research and found that these guitars shipped with 10 - 47 sets, considerably lighter than what I was using on my old Cole Clarke 12.
I still have a few sets of these 11-52 medium gauge Curt Mangans and wonder if they might be too heavy?

What are other Takamine 12 string players using on theirs?
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Old 06-27-2022, 07:44 PM
rstaight rstaight is offline
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I use Elixer on all of my Takamine's. The Elixir's completely changed my GJ72CE-12 for the better. It was already a great guitar as it was.
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Old 06-27-2022, 08:10 PM
pickinray pickinray is offline
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I use D'addario EJ38 strings, which are 10-47, on my Takamine F400S.
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Last edited by pickinray; 06-27-2022 at 08:16 PM.
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Old 06-27-2022, 08:53 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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I think you'll find 10-47's are the norm for most 12-string guitars.

I would think those Curt Mangans might be best tuned down a full step.
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Old 06-28-2022, 12:30 AM
nrand nrand is offline
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Thanks everyone for your replies. The 11-52s were fine on my Cole Clarke with no problems for the past 10 years. The Takamine when I got it did not feel quite as robust as the Cole Clarke hence my reason for looking into the factory specs. I will get some 10-47 Elixirs and see how I go. I may need to alter my right hand attack a little.
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Takamine EF360S-TT - TLD-2 Line Driver
2003 Takamine EAN40C12 12 String - CT4BII
1990s Daion D Body
1950s/60s Baritone Ukelele K&K
2020 Fender Limited Edition Jazzmaster Pure Vintage
'65 Pickups, & Series/Parallel 4-Way
Fender Supersonic 22" combo

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Yamaha DXR speakers
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  #6  
Old 06-28-2022, 04:57 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Hi, I don't have a Takemine, but I have a Martin D12-20 Custom and a Harmony H1270.

On both I use 54/30 - 12/12 BUT I tune them one tone down to dD-dd/dd.

I did some checks and found that the tension of these tuned to d, was pretty much the same as tuning a lighter set to e.

Both these guitars were built in the early '60s and the action and relief doesn't change.

conclusion, the very slightly heavier strings you are thinking of will probably not hurt your guitar at all, and if you tuned it down one tone you'll get a tone that is different to your 6 strings, and obviate issues.
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  #7  
Old 06-28-2022, 06:44 AM
martingitdave martingitdave is offline
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Default Takamine 12 String Gauges

11-52 is over 300lbs of tension at concert pitch. The 10-47 from most companies is about 250 lbs. In my experience, most lightly built 12 strings will belly at 300 lbs over time. It will be gradual and you may not notice at first. Takamine are usually a little heavier built so it *might* not be a problem. For what it’s worth I gave up on the heavier strings for my 12 string and play 10-47 Martin lifespan 2.0. They are a little heavier at ~265 lbs. They sound great and are easy to play.
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