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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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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 JBL EON ONE Pro Yamaha DXR speakers |
#2
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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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2007 Indiana Scout 2018 Indiana Madison Quilt Elite 2018 Takamine GJ72CE 12-String 2019 Takamine GD93 2022 Takamine GJ72CE 6-String 2022 Cort GA-QF CBB 1963 Gibson SG 2016 Kala uke Dean A style mandolin. (Year unknown) Lotus L80 (1984ish) Plus a few lower end I have had for years |
#3
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I use D'addario EJ38 strings, which are 10-47, on my Takamine F400S.
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Acoustics: Martin D35 Martin OM-16GT Gibson J-45 Standard Breedlove Pursuit Concerto CE Takamine F400S 12-string Yamaha FG800 Citation CIT8000 "The Survivor" Electrics: Fender Standard Stratocaster (2004) Last edited by pickinray; 06-27-2022 at 08:16 PM. |
#4
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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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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#5
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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 JBL EON ONE Pro Yamaha DXR speakers |
#6
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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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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#7
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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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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |